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Post-War Other Herald Dash Removal

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Herald63nut

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If anyone has removed the dash from their Herald, I could use your advice and tips. I have removed the facia, instruments and am having trouble removing the various other components. Additionally, I am not clear on if it is possible to remove the dash while leaving the steering column in place. I am probably missing other questions that I should ask, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Last, thanks to those who responded to my heater box restoration question. It turned out fine.
 
Yes, you can leave the column in place. But try not to leave it unsupported too long. You might find it easier to remove the column, though, just to get it out of the way.

Going from memory here, you will at least have to undo it from the dash support, then there are the seven screws at the base of the windshield frame, a couple screws or bolts on either side and a couple other minor brackets, and the defroster vents and such.

I can answer in more detail later, when I'm back home with my Heralds and my manuals for same. :wink:
 
Bob, turns out I pretty much hit it above. Yeah, I'm as surprised as you are! :wink:

Anyway, the factory manual does mention removing the steering column assembly. I have removed dashes without doing this, but it makes sense to remove the column. Once you disconnect it from the dash, it's almost out anyway!

Originally, you'd said "I have removed the facia, instruments and am having trouble removing the various other components..." Given that, I was assuming you had gotten the wood facia off and, with it, the various cable controls and such. If not, and you have questions about removing specific components like that (which do have to be disconnected from the car, i.e., heater valve and choke cables), please let me know!
 
Andy,
Again, Thanks for the reply. I appreciate knowing about the steering column. I am having trouble accessing some of the switches. Got the Heater vent box control cable, choke and ignition switch out, but those that are left of center in the dash such as the Heater control, windscreen wiper, and a third one (I forget which) are challenges to get to the retaining ring behind the fascia. I guess I will have to dismantle more of the support brackets, etc. to gain access. Is there a proper sequence to removal of the dash that I am missing?
Bob
 
Arguably, it's easier to remove the switches and cable controls from the dash once the dash is removed from the car. What's really holding on most of the switches and controls is a ring on the "front" side of the dash, that annoyingly hard-to-remove ring with the two little slots in it. The ring behind serves more to align the switch at a correct depth in the dash.

OH, is the "third one" the instrument lighting switch?
 
Andy
You provided me with a "a ha" moment! The rings in the front of the fascia! Now the question is, how does one go about removing them without damaging them? And yes, the third switch is the instrument light if I recall correctly. I am not where my car is so I cannot check it directly, but that seems reasonable. Thanks,
Bob
 
Herald63nut said:
Andy
You provided me with a "a ha" moment! The rings in the front of the fascia! Now the question is, how does one go about removing them without damaging them?
Click to expand...
Ideally, one removes the knobs and then uses a special tool that looks like a deep socket with two little tangs on it (180 degrees apart) to undo the ring. Alternatively, tape the heck out of the surrounding area and carefully work with two small screwdrivers or possibly a small pair of needle-nose pliers that fit the little grooves. Or you might be able to loosen the lockring on the backside and then undo the front ring by hand.
 
Question about your car (which I'm not sure is on my Database -- hint, hint!): Are all the switches and controls mounted flush on the wood facia, or does the wood have a beveled circle and fit over said switches and controls? If the latter, it makes sense to remove the wood first. A gouge or two on the underlying pressboard dash base won't show later, but (and don't ask me how I know) they DO show on wood. :frown:
 
Andy,
My dash has the beveled wood to the switches. It's not a problem either way because I removed it earlier and had it refinished. It sits in my basement (along with a gazillion other parts in various states of repair/replacement) awaiting the day when I will put it back on the car. I do think I sent you info on my Herald for your database awhile ago. In any event, I will revisit your site and add my car to the database if it is not listed. You may recall that we exchanged messages a couple of years ago and you actually had a photo of my car taken when it was in upper New York state, if I recall. I bought it from a gent in Massachusetts that I think got it from someone in NY (original owner?). As I dismantle it, it is apparent that it had been damaged in the lower left front (can you say bondo!)The entire car was repainted (poorly) after extensive, and less than expert, "restoration". An amateurish attempt at making it servicable I suspect. My favorite anecdote thus far is the barn door hinge used to hold the accelerator pedal to the floor, actually to the carpet. The screws used didn't quite make it to the rusted out floor pan! Ah the fun, its like unraveling a mystery.
 
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