Instrument Panel - Removal/Installation Revision

86ford18 Article No. 86-9-12


INSTRUMENT PANEL - REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION - SHOP MANUAL REVISION


FORD 1985 THUNDERBIRD

LINCOLN-MERCURY 1985 COUGAR

The following pages are revisions to the 1985 Body Chassis and Electrical Shop Manual, Volume B, Section 45-61. The procedure covers the removal and installation of Thunderbird/Cougar instrument panels.

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: None
WARRANTY STATUS: "INFORMATION ONLY"



Instrument Panel

Thunderbird/Cougar

Removal and Installation

1. Disconnect battery ground cable.

2. Disconnect all underhood wiring connectors from main wiring harness (14401). Disengage rubber grommet seal from dash panel and push wiring harness and connectors into passenger compartment. Refer to the 1985 Car Shop Manual, Volume B, Section 34-01.

3. Remove steering column opening cover.

4. Remove screws retaining lower LH and RH finish panels (two each) and remove panels by carefully pulling on upper portion of panels to disengage clips.



5. Remove RH insulator panel.



6. Remove LH insulator panel (located under steering column).



7. Remove RH and LH cowl side trim covers.



8. Remove ten cluster opening finish panel retaining screws.




9. Without console:
^ Open ash receptacle, and remove two outboard screws inside ash receptacle opening.
^ Remove four screws retaining center finish panel and remove panel.



With Console:
^ Remove console front finish panel. Refer to the 1985 Car Shop Manual, Volume B, Section 45-31. Remove four screws retaining center finish panel.



10. Remove steering column brace assemblies and disconnect all steering column wiring connectors.

11. On vehicles with column mounted shift:
^ Disconnect shift indicator cable from steering column by first unhooking looped end of cable from shifting stalk lever and unclamping plastic adjustment ring from steering column. Refer to the 1985 Car Shop Manual, Volume B, Section 13-06.

12. Remove four nuts retaining steering column to brake pedal support and allow steering column to rest on front seat.



13. Remove speaker and headlamp dimmer sensor grilles (snap out).



14. Open glove compartment door and flex stops on sidewalls on bin to allow glove compartment to swing open.

15. Reaching through glove compartment opening, remove nut securing brace to center reinforcement.



16. Remove three upper instrument panel-to-cowl retaining screws.

17. Remove two lower cowl side retaining screws.

18. Remove instrument panel away from cowl and disconnect remaining A/C controls and/or wire connectors.

19. To install, reverse Steps 1 through 14.