I have to remove my dash insert(gague housing) to fix my windshield wipers, the bushing snapped and I have to replace it. I got a new one from the dealer, but when I went to put it on by reaching up underneath the dash, I had trouble getting the leverage to press it on. I have come to the conclusion that the console must come out. If I remove the wires, will I have much trouble reconnecting them??? I really want this to be as simple as possible.
thanks guys...

A few things you might want to consider. Heat the new nylon bushings to soften them. I heated some water to almost boiling and let the bushings soak for a short while. When you get the bushing pressed into the linkage arm, be sure to fill the cavity with white lithium grease before you press in the pivot on the other linkage arm. Use channel lock pliers so you can get more leverage.

By console, do you mean the instrument cluster that contains your gauges and speedometer? Yes, you will probably want to remove it to get at the linkage easier and have a good view of what you are doing. The glove box liner will need to come out to fix the other side. All you need to do, as far as the wiring goes, is use some masking tape and label both ends of any wires you disconnect.

Jerry

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There's a difference between ignorance and stupidity.
Ignorance is not knowing any better.
Stupidity is knowing, yet doing it anyway.

Some things to keep in mind when pulling the gauge cluster:
Disconnect the battery! The ammeter is fed direct from the batt and will be some the first wires you'll need to pull. You don't want to burn things up. Also, you may want to drop the steering wheel a bit to allow clearance for the wire cluster on the back of the panel as it comes out. Sometimes it's just removing the two nuts that hold the column to the bottom of the dash, but it may also require loosening the bolts where the column passes through the firewall. It may seem tempting to leave the wheel in place, and I've always gotten the gauge panel out ok, but I always break off a pin on the main connector cluster when I go to put it back in, so be carefull to watch that. The only other PITA with mine was getting the speedo cable disconnected the first time. It was easier to unscrew the connection at the tranny and pull it through so I could see what I was doing with it. Since then it comes off easily. While your in there, you might want to change lamps to avoid having to repeat the process later when they start burning out. Good luck, Steve

he,he, removing the cluster without disconnecting the battery's fun, how I did it the first time. I was doing well and everything till the ammeter wires hit metal and sparked and I've never jumped so hi... Luckily I didn't burn anything Yeah, I second the notion of disconnecting the batter, unless you enjoy sparks and worrying if you burned something afterwards. Anyway, I think the dash is easy to remove, but I've done it about five times now.

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My car may be slow to sixty, but at least it's been reliably slow to sixty for more than thirty years.