Diy Fix Clunking Noise In Dash R33's - Series 2 With Airbag

[woza01]

I had this annoying Clicking noise for about 2 years.....and had known all along about the DIY tutorial posted by nick81xd. found here ...

http://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/301992-diy-fix-cluncking-noise-in-dash-r33s/?hl=+clicking%20+behind%20+dash

but just never had the time to try the fix.

Recently, I got motivated, and followed his guide, but on my 96 GTR V-Spec, which has passenger Airbag, there is simply no way.

So...I decided to just pull the dash out and do it that way. This may seem daunting, but it was actually quite easy !

I have documented the steps below, with description and pictures.

IMPORTANT : Once I had my actuator out, I tried the 'fix', and unfortunately, when attempting to remove the lever arm from the shaft, the shaft broke. I tried again on a spare Actuator that I had from a car I parted out - Same thing happened. So, I was left with NO CHOICE but to order a new one...it was around $250 and took 7 week to arrive from Japan.

So... Be aware, that if you go to all the trouble of dismantling the dash, and the fix on your original actuator isn't successful, then you're up for a long wait !..You need to make the call BEFORE you attempt it, whether or not to buy the part new. ! Learn from my experience !

Step 1

- MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO - DISCONNECT THE BATTERY !

- Remove the ashtray, and the screw that is exposed after its removed (Circled in Red)

- Remove the shifter cover panel - pull it 'upwards' gently from the rearmost position

- Secure all screws in a zip-lock back, labelled accordingly!

Step 2

- Remove the 2 screws securing the bottom of the Dash Fascia (Circled in Red)

- Lower the Steering column as far as it will go

- Remove the Dash Fascia by gently pulling it out towards you - It just clips in. Be Gentle

- Once clear enough, reach behind and unplug all electrical plugs.

- Secure all screws in a zip-lock back, labelled accordingly!

Step 3

- Remove the 4 screws securing Instrument cluster Fascia (Circled in Red)

- Secure all screws in a zip-lock back, labelled accordingly!

Step 4

- Remove the 3 screws securing Instrument cluster (Circled in Red)

- Carefully unplug all Connectors at the back

- Secure all screws in a zip-lock back, labelled accordingly!

Step 5

- Raise the Steering Column up again

- Remove the 2x10mm bolts (Circled in Red on RHS of pic) securing the bonnet release - pull BR down and out of the way)

- Remove remaining screws (Circled in Red)

- Yellow Circles indicate the pivot point of the lower valence panel....swing the panel down, and remove it

- Remove the remaining console kick-panel.

- Secure all screws in a zip-lock back, labelled accordingly!

Step 6

- Remove the 2 screws securing the front of the centre console (marked by pointing fingers)

- Secure all screws in a zip-lock back, labelled accordingly!

Step 7

- Remove the 2 screws securing the rear of the centre console - You will need to move the seats forward

- Secure all screws in a zip-lock back, labelled accordingly!

Step 8

- Remove the glovebox, by removing the 2 pins from underneath. (no picture - sorry ! )

- It will now look like the pic below - Remove the 4 screws (Circled in Red)

- Yellow rectangles indicate the approximate location of push-in clips

- the lower kick panel MAY also have to be removed (indicated by yellow arrow)

- carefully pull the panel out towards you to release the hidden push-in clips

- Secure all screws in a zip-lock back, labelled accordingly!

Step 9

- Remove the 6 screws securing the centre gauges, climate control and sound system

Note: this may look different on GTS-T models obviously

- Remove all units, carefully unplugging the connectors at back.

- Secure all screws in a zip-lock back, labelled accordingly!

Step 10

- Remove AC vents on the top of the dash. They clip in...be Gentle

- I found it useful to tie string to the temp sensor connector...makes re-installation easier

- IMPORTANT : You will also need to remove the A-Pillar interior trims on both sides (No Pics of this - Sorry !)

- Failure to do so may make it impossible to remove the dash...Im not 100% sure because I removed mine prior to dash removal

Step 11 - DASH REMOVAL !

You are now ready to remove the dash !

- Lower the steering column Fully.

- Remove the 2x10mm bolts at windscreen

- Remove the securing nut, located behind when the instrument cluster sits.

- Remove the screws on each side of the console.

- Remove the last 2 bolts, located as shown in the following pics.

- Secure all screws, Nuts & Bolts in a zip-lock back, labelled accordingly!

- Now its just a matter of lifting the dash out of place, and manoeuvring it out of the car - this will be a tad awkward !

Step 12

- The following is what you will see !

- Remove the 2 screws that secure the AC actuator in place (marked in Red)

- At this point, you can try the fix/remedy suggested in nick81xd's post, however, for reasons mentioned at the top of this post, I replaced mine with a new unit - Shown in the following Pic

re-assembly is simply the reverse order of this list.