2001 SL2 - dash (top) removal

My 2001 SL2 has developed a dash rattle . .. . just beneath the windshield.
The dealer said that they couldn't find and therefore fix the problem when I
took it to them while it was under warranty. Now that the warranty has
expired I want to try myself.

My Haynes manual doesn't show how to remove the top surface of the dash. Do
I have to remove the instrument cluster?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers!

Jeff in Saskatoon

 

Whoops! Sorry for the double post. I got a server error message on the
first post so I did it a second time. Somehow the first post showed up
anyway.

Jeff

 

If its anything like the '02 SC2, which I believe it is, then you have few
small phillips screws under the front lip of the dashboard. I think you must
also remove the 2 end caps of the dash too. Then you can gently pry the dash
top off by pressing a butter knife or thin screwdriver in the crack tween
top of the dash and the front. To remove the guage pod, you must also remove
the 2 screws from the bottom of the steering column.
I think thats all there is to it, hope I didnt miss anything.

marx404

 

Before you take it apart, check outside trim that might be rattleing against
the bottom of the windshild. Many Toyota's have that problem and people use
silicone sealant to fix it. In my Avalon case the factory used an
expanding pin instead of screws to hold down the vent cover below the
wipers and it hits the windshield in cold weather and rattles. It sounds
like a dash rattle till you find and fix it.

 

I don't see any small screws under the lip. I guess the SL and SC must be
different. The end caps do come off, however. Does anyone else know how to
remove the dash "cap"?

JB

 

Get a subscription to alldata.com they should have all that stuff on
line. Dashes are expensive and you screw it up really easy by brakin
gon eof the moiun points or pinching a wire harness when putting it
back together again.