samualt

I'd like to replace the dash on my 98 Camaro. I'm talking about the part that goes around the air vents/air bag/Instrument Cluster. It sits on top and is in front of the hard plastic piece that meets the window. Mine has about 4 splits in it and is trashed. It costs $450 new from the Chevy house.

Has anyone here relaplaced that? I can't find any instructions in my Haynes manual. Is it something a mere mortal can do? What problems did you have with it? Inquiring minds want to know!

graphicsgod

Can't say how to do it. But it can't be that hard since I see them on ebay all the time for much less than $450. One was going for about a hundred.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Camar...spagenameZWDVW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/97-02...02442411QQrdZ1

Hope that helps, from a cheaper cost stand point. As for install someone here should know.

Rob

samualt

I need the piece that sits in front of that one. The one that is closer to the passengers. It goes around the airbags, instrument cluster, and air vents.

EGADS! Here is a picture of what I need. I didn't now it was all one piece. Ouch! It looks painful to install.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-02...97680731QQrdZ1

paarman97maro

try ... you can find EVERYTHING there... im sure you can find a walkthrough for the replacement... I would search it for you now, but Im just about to leave, so I hope that helps

archemedes

shouldn't be too bad, other than the wiring harness that's bolted to it take your time and don't force anything. There are probably 2 bolts at each ent maybe a couple in the middle, then teh wires (I know on the impalla ss there are litterally 4 bolts that hold the entire dash in) many junk yards should have something.

samualt

I just got back from the Chevy house for an estimate. They want $963.50 total to change out the dash (console, whatever it's called). That's $450 for the part plus $513.50 for Labor at around $79 hour (6.5 hours for someone who really knew what he was doing).

It's very hard to take pictures of the dash, but here is the best I can do:
http://home.comcast.net/~kr4495/cz28/BadDash1.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~kr4495/cz28/BadDash2.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~kr4495/cz28/BadDash3.jpg

archemedes

console is between teh seats. Something like that you don't pay someone to do unless your rich, you do it yourself, or call coverlay

samualt

archemedes:
It looks like it would be a nightmare to try and change. I've changed transmissions and other big items but this looks much worse and could hurt the car if done wrong. Unless I find a super good tutorial by someone who's done it I wouldn't attemp it. Not really a DIY job. And I'd rather have splits than dash covers...Kinda like putting quilts over furniture (This ain't my Grandma's car! LOL.)
And yes, $1000 is a bunch of money. But I've seen lots of people who wern't rich blow that much on just Koni shocks, seats and carpet, or a fancy exhaust system. I'm still considering letting the Chevy house replace the dash, but I'l try some cheaper stuff first.
I think I'll take it to an auto-upholsterer and see about vinyl repair. If that's too much I might try a DIY vinyl repair kit. It couldn't make it look much worse.

$39.95 Dash Repair Kit at JC-Whitney:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...=dash%20repair

archemedes

it's easy, that dash repair from jc whitney makes it look worse(magnify each one). Disconnect the battery for 15 minutes to an hour (your preference) to deactivate the airbags pull the trim and you should see the bolts, there are also a couple at the column. I don't like paying for simple service, but that's me.The coverlay things are hard to tell it's a cap (they are plastic not the carpet things)it's a low cost dash repair

camaro_chic17

I have taken my dash partially apart.. have the whole left side apart right now! Took it to this point so that I could find out why my temp guage and fuel guage weren't always lighting up and I needed to replace my headlight switch. Not sure about the right side but the left side was just a bunch of bolts and clips.