How to Remove Heater Control Panel Dash Trim Bezel?

[72and86]

I'm trying to remove the (Non-AC) heater control dash trim panel bezel to renew/clean the panel and detail the Heater lettering.

Ive already removed the left lower dash trim panel but the heater control trim won't come out. I see 3 obvious screws. Also I can't seem to remove the 2 chrome lever knobs (Hot-cold), and Defrost.

Do I need to removed the heater control unit too, is it attached?
Confused.
Thanks
Steve

[1 Wild R/T]

Yes the panel is part of the assembly

[72and86]

Yes the panel is part of the assembly

You mean the heater control unit?

[1 Wild R/T]

=

[Mpdlawdog]

Just took mine out....the lever knobs just pull off....not easily!  I taped them up and took a pair of plyers...pull and they pop off...you have to take the lower trim piece off also.....the cables to the heater also have to be disconnected at the heater box or the back of the switch panel. It's a pain in the butt!

[JayBee]

When I detailed my lettering I just removed the whole lever, knob intact. Once you pop off the retaining washers the levers can be shimmied through the opening slit. Just remember which lever goes where and where the washers go when you're reassembling. Just another option.

[72and86]

When I detailed my lettering I just removed the whole lever, knob intact. Once you pop off the retaining washers the levers can be shimmied through the opening slit. Just remember which lever goes where and where the washers go when you're reassembling. Just another option.

Thanks.
Still can't get it out. I can't see to unhook one of the cables an the triangular left side of the panel won't come out of the sleeve like opening. This shouldn't be that hard but is turning into a nightmare. 

[JayBee]

Yeah, I don't understand the difficulty. As you noticed the cable's ends just slip over the end tips of the levers. You may just have to contort and get up under there to remove the screw that's fastening the cable down.

[72and86]

Yeah, I don't understand the difficulty. As you noticed the cable's ends just slip over the end tips of the levers. You may just have to contort and get up under there to remove the screw that's fastening the cable down.

I dunno. Im not good at this. I had to walk away from it.
1- I need to detach 1 cable yet (can't see where it goes) so afraid I can't reattach it...later
2- I also need to unscrew the top screw? (or nut) on the J nut clip. (the bottom was a screw holding it and facing down so I could easily remove it, the top attaches from the top. I can't see if its a screw or a nut.?
3- And removed fan plug (that should be easy).

[jason340]

You may consider removing the drivers seat. It makes getting under the dash much easier and it only takes a few minutes and 4 nuts to remove it.

[72and86]

You may consider removing the drivers seat. It makes getting under the dash much easier and it only takes a few minutes and 4 nuts to remove it.

That might be a good call.

[484HemiCuda]

JayBee, how do you put the retaining washers back on?  Any special tricks?

[JayBee]

JayBee, how do you put the retaining washers back on?  Any special tricks?

If you're talking about those springy washers that go on either end of that center shaft there is no special trick that I know of. They are a pain, just press down and push over, as far as I can remember when I did mine.

[70chall440]

I have found that if you can find a socket the fits over the shaft, you can put an extension on it for a handle and push them down relatively easily. I tend to use nut drivers (like a screw driver with a socket on the end)

[jimynick]

I have found that if you can find a socket the fits over the shaft, you can put an extension on it for a handle and push them down relatively easily. I tend to use nut drivers (like a screw driver with a socket on the end)

Exactly and as for the knobs, some had a spring clip that req'd a pry off the shaft with a fine pick applied to the bottom of the back of the knob to loosen the retainer. You can usually get the round cable retainers off by prying under their umbrella edge as they're segmented and there's no one clip, just several fingers and you need to work around them. They were never meant to come off originally and they're a PITA to get off, but worth saving. You can practice your swearing while you do it!