Dashboard / Instrument Panel: Service and Repair

Fig. 7 Steering Column Trim Cover and Reinforcement. Cougar & Thunderbird:

REMOVAL and INSTALLATION
1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Disconnect all underhood wiring connectors from main wiring harness. Remove rubber grommet seal from dash panel and push wiring harness and connectors into passenger compartment.
3. Remove steering column lower trim cover.
4. Remove six steering column lower opening reinforcement retaining screws.
5. Remove steering column upper and lower shrouds.

Fig. 8 Steering Column Wiring Connectors. Cougar & Thunderbird:

Fig. 9 Steering Column Wiring Connectors. Cougar & Thunderbird:

6. Disconnect steering column wiring connectors.
7. Remove shift interlock switch.
8. Disconnect steering column lower universal joint.
9. Support steering column and remove four nuts retaining column to support. Remove column from vehicle.
10. Remove one screw retaining left side of instrument panel to parking brake bracket.
11. Install lower steering column lower opening reinforcement. Enforcement prevents instrument panel from twisting when being removed from vehicle.

Fig. 10 Removing Cowl Trim Panels. Cougar & Thunderbird:

12. Remove right and left side cowl trim panels.

Fig. 11 Removing Floor Console. Cougar & Thunderbird:

13. Open floor console door and remove container and mat to gain access to two console to floorpan retaining screws. Remove screws.
14. Remove gear shift knob. (Manual transmission models only)
15. Remove two rear finish panel retaining screws.
16. Tilt finish panel forward and disconnect electrical connectors, then remove finish panel.
17. Remove two front console to instrument panel retaining screws and remove console.
18. Remove two nuts retaining center of instrument panel to floor.
19. Open glove compartment, squeeze sides of bin and lower to full open position.
20. From underneath instrument panel and through glove compartment opening, disconnect wiring, and heater-A/C vacuum lines and control cables.

Fig. 12 Removing I/P Retaining Screws. Cougar & Thunderbird:

21. Remove two retaining screws from both the left and right sides of the instrument panel.

Fig. 13 Removing Upper Finish Panels. Cougar & Thunderbird:

22. Remove right and left side upper finish panels by pulling up to disengage snap-in retainers.

Fig. 14 Removing I/P From Cowl. Cougar & Thunderbird:

Fig. 15 Removing I/P From Cowl. Cougar & Thunderbird:

23. Remove instrument panel to cowl top attaching screws.
24. Remove right and left roof rail trim panel panel, then remove door frame weather strip.
25. Carefully pull instrument panel away from cowl and disconnect any remaining wiring or controls.
26. Remove instrument panel from the vehicle.
27. Reverse procedure to install.