Repair 7

How to Take Off the Dash on a 1995 Subaru Legacy

The 1995 Subaru Legacy is the first year of the vehicles second generation, marked by a redesigned body style and chassis as well as the introduction of all-wheel drive as a standard offering on the sedan, wagon and Outback trims. The dash on the 95 Subaru Legacy is a one-piece unit that needs to be removed to work on the instrument panel, heater core or a variety of other parts. The most difficult part of dash removal is finding all of the mounting screws.

Instructions

1

Park the vehicle on a flat surface and set the parking brake. Open the hood and disconnect the negative battery cable.

2

Remove the shifter trim with a trim removal tool. A flathead screwdriver can be used, but the silver trim is easily scratched, so using the right tool can prevent damage. Remove the two screws underneath the trim with a Phillips screwdriver.

3

Grip the bottom of the shifter panel cover on both sides and pull out slightly to disengage the retaining tabs, then pull up on it to completely remove it.

4

Remove the temperature control knobs and vents by pulling them straight off by hand. Pry up the edges of the dash control panel with a flathead screwdriver to disengage the clips. Remove the dash control panel.

5

Remove the kick panel trim on both sides with a trim removal tool. Remove the screws holding the kick panel in place with a Phillips screwdriver. Remove the kick panels.

6

Remove the trim between the windshield and dash with a trim removal tool.

7

Open the glove compartment. Push in on the glove box and lift to remove the glove box.

8

Remove the screws holding the dash in place. There are two where each of the kick panels were located, four along the windshield, two inside the glove compartment cavity and three where the center control panel was removed.

9

If the vehicle has a standard transmission, place the shift control arm in neutral. If it has an automatic transmission, place the shift control arm in the position that is farthest from the dash. Push the button underneath the steering wheel and lower the steering wheel as far as possible.

10

Lift up caully on the dash, then pull it forward about one and a half feet. Unplug all of the electrical connections from the rear of the dash, including the instrument cluster and temperature controls. Depending on the vehicles features, there may be more.

11

Slide the dash forward, lift it over the top edge of the steering wheel, then cant it slightly sideways to fit it through the passenger side door. Removing it from the driver side is cramped and could cause damage to the interior, so avoid going that way if possible.