Removal & Installation
Removal of the instrument panel involves many screws of different sizes. As you work on each individual trim module, tag and bag the screws to ease installation. Refer to the illustrations to aid in identifying the locations of the securing screws and clips. To avoid damaging the panels, use care when prying the panels to detach their securing clips.
- Disconnect the battery ground cable.
- Disable the Supplemental Restraint System.
- If necessary for additional access, remove the front seats.
- Remove the upper trim panel.
- Remove the driver side knee bolster.
- Remove the lower trim panel.
- Remove the passenger side airbag as follows:
- Detach the electrical connection.
- Remove the airbag nuts.
- Carefully remove the airbag assembly from the instrument panel. Refer to the airbag precautions in this section for proper handling of the airbag.
- Remove the radio and control panel.
- Remove the accessory switch housing.
- Remove the left air vent.WARNINGThe front wheels must be in the straight ahead position and the column must be locked prior to removal. Failure to do so will cause improper alignment and result in damage to the SIR coil assembly.
- Place the wheels in the straight ahead position. Remove the steering column as follows:
- Remove the knee bolster.
- Lock the steering column using tool J42640 through the access hole in the lower column trim cover.
- Remove the Body Control Module (BCM) bracket. Do not disconnect the harness.
- Disconnect the shift cable and electrical connections from the column. Remove the harness retaining pin.
- Remove the upper intermediate shaft pinch bolt from the column, then disconnect the shaft.
- Remove the nuts securing the column, then remove it from the vehicle.
- Remove the Communication Interface Module (CIM) if equipped.
- Detach the data link connector and parking brake release lever from the instrument panel.
- Remove the instrument panel cluster.
- Remove both front window air ducts.
- Detach the electrical harness from the instrument panel assembly.
- Remove the instrument panel nuts and bolts and make sure all retainers are detached, then remove the assembly from the vehicle.
- Remove the upper support brackets.
- Detach all electrical connections from the junction block.
- If equipped, remove the transfer case control module.
- Remove the antenna cable from the cross car duct, then remove the duct.
- Remove the amplifier if equipped, then remove the harness from the carrier.
- Remove the center support bracket bezel and bolt.
- Remove the carrier support bolts, then remove the carrier assembly from the vehicle.
- Installation is the reverse of removal. Tighten the instrument panel carrier support bolts to 37 ft. lbs. (50 Nm). Tighten the center support bracket bolt to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm). Tighten the steering column bolts to 22 ft. lbs. (30 Nm); tighten the lower nuts first, then the upper nuts.WARNINGFailure to installing the column nuts in the correct sequence and tightening specification may result in steering column damage or failure of the column to function as intended in a crash.
- Disconnect the battery ground cable.
- Disable the Supplemental Restraint System.
- If necessary for additional access, remove the front seats.
- Remove the mounting screws, then remove the center console assembly.
- Remove the windshield garnish panel and the upper trim panel.
- Remove the defroster duct trim panel.
- Remove the panel outer trim covers.
- Remove the center and left air outlets.
- Remove the instrument cluster assembly.
- Remove the accessory and center trim panels.
- Remove the instrument panel air bag as follows:
- Detach the electrical connection.
- Remove the airbag nuts.
- Carefully remove the airbag assembly from the instrument panel. Refer to the airbag precautions in this section for proper handling of the airbag.WARNINGThe front wheels must be in the straight ahead position and the column must be locked prior to removal. Failure to do so will cause improper alignment and result in damage to the SIR coil assembly.
- Place the wheels in the straight ahead position. Remove the steering column as follows:
- Remove the knee bolster.
- Lock the steering column using tool J42640 through the access hole in the lower column trim cover.
- Disconnect the shift lock actuator and electrical connections from the column.
- Remove the upper intermediate shaft pinch bolt from the column, then disconnect the shaft.
- Remove the nuts securing the column, then remove it from the vehicle. Note the position of the washers. They must be reinstalled in the same position.
- Remove the control panel and radio assemblies.
- Remove the clock and accessory switch assembly.
- Remove the glove box assembly.
- Remove the access hole cover.
- Remove the screws securing the instrument panel assembly, then remove the panel from the vehicle.
- Remove the lower trim panel and the brake pedal assembly.
- Remove the bolts securing the instrument panel carrier support, then remove it from the vehicle.
- Installation is the reverse of removal. Tighten the instrument panel carrier support bolts to 16 ft. lbs. (22 Nm). Tighten the steering column bolts to 20 ft. lbs. (27 Nm); tighten the lower nuts first, then the upper nuts. Be sure to install the washers in the proper location.WARNINGFailure to installing the column nuts in the correct sequence and tightening specification may result in steering column damage or failure of the column to function as intended in a crash.
- Disconnect the battery ground cable.
- Disable the Supplemental Restraint System.
- Remove the windshield garnish panel and the upper trim panel.
- Remove the radio front speaker, if equipped.
- Remove the panel outer trim covers.
- Remove the left air outlet.
- Remove the headlamp switch bezel assembly.
- Remove the instrument cluster assembly.WARNINGThe front wheels must be in the straight ahead position and the column must be locked prior to removal. Failure to do so will cause improper alignment and result in damage to the SIR coil assembly.
- Place the wheels in the straight ahead position. Remove the steering column as follows:
- Remove the knee bolster.
- Lock the steering column using tool J42640 through the access hole in the lower column trim cover.
- Disconnect the shift lock actuator and electrical connections from the column.
- Remove the upper intermediate shaft pinch bolt from the column, then disconnect the shaft.
- Remove the nuts securing the column, then remove it from the vehicle. Note the position of the washers. They must be reinstalled in the same position.
- Remove the center trim panel and accessory switch assembly.
- Remove the control panel and radio assemblies.
- Remove the instrument panel air bag as follows:
- Detach the electrical connection.
- Remove the airbag nuts.
- Carefully remove the airbag assembly from the instrument panel. Refer to the airbag precautions in this section for proper handling of the airbag.
- Remove the right air outlet.
- Remove the glove box assembly.
- Remove the access hole cover.
- Remove the screws securing the instrument panel and carrier assembly, then remove the panel from the vehicle.
- Remove the bolts securing the instrument panel carrier support, then remove it from the vehicle.
- Installation is the reverse of removal. Tighten the instrument panel carrier support bolts to 80 inch lbs. (9 Nm). Tighten the steering column bolts to 20 ft. lbs. (27 Nm); tighten the lower nuts first, then the upper nuts. Be sure to install the washers in the proper location.WARNINGFailure to installing the column nuts in the correct sequence and tightening specification may result in steering column damage or failure of the column to function as intended in a crash.
Removal of the instrument panel involves many screws of different sizes. As you work on each individual trim module, tag and bag the screws to ease installation. Refer to the illustrations to aid in identifying the locations of the securing screws and clips. To avoid damaging the panels, use care when prying the panels to detach their securing clips.