Dash is out, what to replace?

[Jozi]

I've nearly got the dash pulled from my old touring, it and just about everything else is going into the freshly painted shell. While I'm at it and before it all goes back in the new shell, what should I replace?

[magpie]

what ever metal needs doing up by the fuse box and around the windscreen seal if any

[Jozi]

what ever metal needs doing up by the fuse box and around the windscreen seal if any

All the rusty metal has been treated and taken care of before it went to the painters. Just all the non-shell related bits now.

New foam seal on top of the heater matrix assembly.

This was one I thought might be a good one to replace while I'm at it, I'll stick it on the list!

Anything else I should replace or even worthwhile mods I can do while I'm at it?

[DanThe]

Id fit a new matrix, good price from Matt/meatballs/ECP maestro
Ive put about 50k miles on the AC matrix thats now in my chromie and this year its started to give off a whiff of antifreeze, god knows how many miles in total its done but the chrome 316 it came off in the scrap yard looked like it had done its fair share

[Jozi]

One like this Dan? http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_3 ... e55&000189

They have another but it's out of stock, 2x the price also. I must check with Meatballs about shipping to Ireland or even collecting/sending from their Uk branch.

[polsta]

any more info on the foam seal ? a bmw part number ??

also, what sort of difference will a new heater matrix make ? is that above one the one to buy for a 87 325I ?

[Jozi]

Pretty sure it's 2 or 3 or both:

Housing parts heater/microf.instrument - BMW parts catalog

And I'd say the matrix is the same for all (unless they were diferent for pre/post-facelift)

[jas025]

I replaced the gasket on mine when I replaced the dash. Think it's item 3 on this diagram. Part number for my car was 64111370937 but you might want to double check the part for your own just in case it's a different model.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=64&fg=35

This is mine after replacing.



I took my A pillar covers out when I put the new dash back in (as I'd ruined the old ones taking the old dash out). Pop the old ones out towards the top by pulling away from the windscreen then slide them up. Hopefully that way you won't break the clips underneath.

I'd check for any dashboard bulbs that aren't working while you're at it. £3.26 for a 1.2w bulb!

Good luck!

[Jozi]

Which bulbs tent to blow? I also need to look into a batteyr for the cluster, 2yrs without power might not have been to kind to it!

[polsta]

£3.26 for a 1.2w bulb! , i bought a box of dozen or so for about that, from local motor factors

its worth replacing them all !

when my dash goes back in, im also putting in a new obc

but being a 1987 car, i think the heater matrix is a good shout

[capnmchl]

Clutch Master cylinder whilst you've got the pedal box out.

As above, all the bulbs.

If you want to tidy up any stereo wiring or add any wiring then now is the time to do it.

[clipper]

I also need to look into a batteyr for the cluster, 2yrs without power might not have been to kind to it!

Don't worry just yet, mine was off the road without even being started for two years after it was stolen and recovered and the SI batteries are still fine now, 3 years after getting it back on the road.

[Jozi]

I have a new clutch master but it's a cheap enough affair! The wiring will probably get a good tidying up as well, I've been thinking about replacing the speaker cables with something a bit better for when I do get better speakers but then I'll also have an amp...

Is there away of testing it? I'm hopping to get the engine running this week, she's on stands an no subframes (out back anyway) so I can't drive her.

[daimlerman]

Do not forget to fit the upper column shroud before dropping the dash in.

Fitting the windscreen after installing the dash will allow you to settle the dash properly onto that nice new heater foam and the stud that is centraly mounted on the 'screen rail.

[polsta]

Do not forget to fit the upper column shroud before dropping the dash in.

Fitting the windscreen after installing the dash will allow you to settle the dash properly onto that nice new heater foam and the stud that is centraly mounted on the 'screen rail.

what is that shroud thing ? is it vital to fit new dash before the screen ? and not the other way around ?

[daimlerman]

Upper column shroud fits around the ign key and has a lip that locates behind the dash,so failure to install before fitting the dash means either dash removal or steering column removal.

It is easier to fit the dash with the 'sceen out.
I have done it both ways,and in the future,if I need to swap a dash,I will remove the 'screen!

You can fit the dashboard with the screen in,but it is difficult to lift it over the mounting stud on the lower 'screen rail and to seat it properly on the heater box without disturbing your nice new foam gasket.

Guess that I have made the same post twice,now...

[Quaser]

maybe fit an A/C system if it hasnt got this already? Cruise control wiring?, alarm?, tv screen??

[polsta]

Upper column shroud fits around the ign key and has a lip that locates behind the dash,so failure to install before fitting the dash means either dash removal or steering column removal.

It is easier to fit the dash with the 'sceen out.
I have done it both ways,and in the future,if I need to swap a dash,I will remove the 'screen!

You can fit the dashboard with the screen in,but it is difficult to lift it over the mounting stud on the lower 'screen rail and to seat it properly on the heater box without disturbing your nice new foam gasket.

Guess that I have made the same post twice,now...

thanks man

my screen is out at the moment, in the paint shop

so what way would you suggest i go.. just tell him not to put the screen back in ? take the car home , and go from there myself

or..to take the dash up,can it be done as to fit the dash in over them parts mentioned, withoput 100% connecting it all up, then getting the car home and finishing it off ? or will it not work like that ?

[daimlerman]

Assuming both front and rear 'screens are out and you are using a trailer to move the car,I would suggest that you bring it home.

It's not impossible to fit the dash with the 'screen in,I've done this several times myself,but it's easier with the 'screen out,the position that the OP will be in.As I have already written,using the 'screen aperture to locate the dashboard is a whole lot easier than struggling with the thing in.

The upper column shroud is something else that caught me out when I built my touring,I'd moved the bare column over from the left to the right,bunged the dash in,then pondered on just how to fit the upper shroud!
For me,in this position,it was nothing more than dropping the column off the bracket that supports it,but in your case,I'll bet good money that you still have the shear bolts in place....

[Jozi]

It's only a 10min job anyway to remove the screen, you can possible even manage it on your own!

As much as I'd love aircon or cruise control, there's no money for either and also I'm not sure if it's straightforward to do with an m52?

[polsta]

yes daimlerman that is the case, no glass in the car at the moment and it will be trailered home and put in the garage, so i can bring the screeen home no problem, im just sort of ponderng the next stage of the plan really and making notes of things to do and remember and plotting the best plan forward to re build the car, theres no real rush i just want it done to tax and mot in the spring, so ive got about 5 months to do it right

[Kedge]

Think I'll subscribe to this since i'll have this job to do fairly soon. Other than what's been said I can't really think of anything.

[daimlerman]

yes daimlerman that is the case, no glass in the car at the moment and it will be trailered home and put in the garage, so i can bring the screeen home no problem, im just sort of ponderng the next stage of the plan really and making notes of things to do and remember and plotting the best plan forward to re build the car, theres no real rush i just want it done to tax and mot in the spring, so ive got about 5 months to do it right

Wandering off topic to some extent,but in your instance,you really want to be fitting up a large part of the interior before you fit the front and rear 'screens,stuff like dash,rear parcel shelf and the headlining will be a whole lot easier with the glass out.

A visit to a car assembly plant is a day well spent,Andyboy and I really enjoyed the BMWCC arranged visit to the Jaguar plant earlier this year,we noted that a lot of time was spent installing the wiring loom first to the painted shell,for example.
The stuff to make it mobile went in a long way down the line!

[Kedge]

The only way to fit the headlining is with the glass out.

[Jozi]

I'll be sound proofing the car before I fit the loom and all it's clips, carpet before the dash as we recently found on a friends car it can be tricky enough to get it sitting right - or just a whole lot less hassle without the dash in. With that in I'll prob start with the dash followed by all trim pieces etc - I've not thought about it much yet as I'm quite a bit of refitting everything.

[polsta]

yes daimlerman that is the case, no glass in the car at the moment and it will be trailered home and put in the garage, so i can bring the screeen home no problem, im just sort of ponderng the next stage of the plan really and making notes of things to do and remember and plotting the best plan forward to re build the car, theres no real rush i just want it done to tax and mot in the spring, so ive got about 5 months to do it right

Wandering off topic to some extent,but in your instance,you really want to be fitting up a large part of the interior before you fit the front and rear 'screens,stuff like dash,rear parcel shelf and the headlining will be a whole lot easier with the glass out.

A visit to a car assembly plant is a day well spent,Andyboy and I really enjoyed the BMWCC arranged visit to the Jaguar plant earlier this year,we noted that a lot of time was spent installing the wiring loom first to the painted shell,for example.
The stuff to make it mobile went in a long way down the line!

tbh im not too sure how im going to go about it, got a few fittings etc to buy aswell, il prob get him to put the bits back on so it comes back to me with all glass in bar the front screen, as parcl shelf etc is easy to fit with screen in and the rear pop outs and all the shadow and gutter trim, door handles, and all that sort of thing are being re painted aswell

then il get the dash,obc and stereo loom all put in properly and just watch and learn and chip in with help, thats all got to be done properly, and the rest of the interior, arch liners, all the other trim and everything i can do myself taking time and thoroughly cleaning and treating everything piece by piece, then im going to get the seats and carpets all washed/valeted whilst out the car then put in

in the mix somewhere is a full waxoyling of the car and chassis in all the nooks and crannies, hes doing the sound deadening so im going to enquire how much he will do the waxoyling for, as the cars there on a ramp with plenty of space, rather than trying to do that myself in my lock up in the winter-thats a no go really to do a proper job

im just waiting for the call any day now where the car will be in the state of 100% ready for paint- im then taking up the deadening and a couple of other bits and then just going over the car with him to make sure its all sorted and were happy with it before the paint

[daimlerman]

.... carpet before the dash as we recently found on a friends car it can be tricky enough to get it sitting right - or just a whole lot less hassle without the dash in....

Carpet
Heater
Steering column
Dash

I know it sounds daft to put the cleaned carpet in first,but I just kept my hands as clean as possible and used dust sheets/old towels etc to keep the grease and oil at bay.

[George]

£3.26 for a 1.2w bulb! , i bought a box of dozen or so for about that, from local motor factors

its worth replacing them all !

Agreed, do them all.

Worth while checking out ebay for bulbs, about £2.50 for a box of ten with p&p.

[polsta]

.... carpet before the dash as we recently found on a friends car it can be tricky enough to get it sitting right - or just a whole lot less hassle without the dash in....

Carpet
Heater
Steering column
Dash

I know it sounds daft to put the cleaned carpet in first,but I just kept my hands as clean as possible and used dust sheets/old towels etc to keep the grease and oil at bay.

so carpet before dash ? , i was planning on getting everything else done before carpet- ie the dash and all wiring, does it make a big or small difference to do the carpet then dash- or dash then carpet ? ....its the same as if you just took the carpet out to do floor work or dye it etc leaving the dash in- you wouldnt remove the dash to re fit the carpet

[Jozi]

It's a pain to get the carpet fully in under the dash and sitting nicely esspecially if you have some sound deadening other than the standard stuff. My mate had a foam linning in the footwells and he puleld it out as the carpet just wouldnt sit in right because of it.

[daimlerman]

Carpet fits under the heater,and most have been cut to be removed,leaving the steering column in place.

On the production line,the carpet would have been fitted after the wiring harness and before both heater,dashboard and steering column.

Doing things at home is a bit different,you tend to have different priorities,it's usually a must to get the shell rolling,so suspension goes in first,perhaps with a set of slave wheels so that you can move the thing,then you want the engine/gearbox in because you are fed up of tripping over it...then you see the wiring loom all curled up in a corner laughing at you because that really should have gone in before the engine...

[clipper]

The upper column shroud is something else that caught me out when I built my touring,I'd moved the bare column over from the left to the right,bunged the dash in,then pondered on just how to fit the upper shroud!
For me,in this position,it was nothing more than dropping the column off the bracket that supports it,but in your case,I'll bet good money that you still have the shear bolts in place....

For the sake of destroying and replacing 2 shear bolts I would say that dropping the column makes getting the dash in and out a whole lot easier. My only regret is having wrestled with the dash to get it back in for so long before deciding to drop the column.

[Jozi]

There's no need to even destroy the shear bolts and removing it only takes 5 mins if everything is out of the way.

[clipper]

Destroy was a bit strong, I cut slots in the heads to undo them and then didn't want to reuse them.