replace drivers side speaker in '71 Corvette conv

[Alan J. Corke]

Help,

I'm replacing the speakers in my '71 Vette. I've done the passenger side, but I'm having trouble removing the dash panel on the drivers side. Does anyone out there know what steps are needed to remove the panel? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Al

[Joe L.]

Re: replace drivers side speaker in '71 Corvette c

Alan----

The right side instrument panel dash pad is child's play to remove. The left side, though, makes up for it. To remove the left side, you really need to remove the right side first, which you've done. Then you need to remove the center console. This gets real interesting when you try to remove the lower nuts retaining it to the forward console. You have to do this by "inserting a flexible drive socket" through the openings created when you remove the forward console trim plates. Hope you have small and very flexible hands.

After you remove the center console, some access is created to get your small and flexible hands behind the left side dash. Next, remove all of the remaining screws that retain the left side dash and inch it forward a little. Be very careful that you don't distort it at the steering column arch. If it's too tight a fit and you can't handle it, you'll have to lower the steering column. Then, as you inch the instrument pad out, you need to get your hands behind it(partially from the opening created by removal of the center console) and release the tach and speedometer cables from the instrument panel. These are a spring-loaded release mechanism, not a screw type. Once you get these off, you'll be able to more easily move the pad forward and remove all of the other light bulb connectors and other electrical connections.

Then, you can easily replace your speaker.

[Joe L.]

Re: replace drivers side speaker in '71 Corvette c

Alan----

The right side instrument panel dash pad is child's play to remove. The left side, though, makes up for it. To remove the left side, you really need to remove the right side first, which you've done. Then you need to remove the center console. This gets real interesting when you try to remove the lower nuts retaining it to the forward console. You have to do this by "inserting a flexible drive socket" through the openings created when you remove the forward console trim plates. Hope you have small and very flexible hands.

After you remove the center console, some access is created to get your small and flexible hands behind the left side dash. Next, remove all of the remaining screws that retain the left side dash and inch it forward a little. Be very careful that you don't distort it at the steering column arch. If it's too tight a fit and you can't handle it, you'll have to lower the steering column. Then, as you inch the instrument pad out, you need to get your hands behind it(partially from the opening created by removal of the center console) and release the tach and speedometer cables from the instrument panel. These are a spring-loaded release mechanism, not a screw type. Once you get these off, you'll be able to more easily move the pad forward and remove all of the other light bulb connectors and other electrical connections.

Then, you can easily replace your speaker.

[Jack H.]

Danger, Will Robinson, Danger!

My advice is to STOP tearing into your classic car at this point and build a support library for your classic Corvette! The '71 Chassis Service Manual (CSM) gives you step-by-step instructions for the R&R (remove/replace) of most assemblies. Doing jobs trial and error or via 2nd hand info can get you in trouble. The NDB is a great knowledge supplement, but even with the experience we provide, there's always the potential for a 'hole'....

Take the advice Joe Lucia gives you on working on the instrument/center cluster of your car. The CSM says you step by step how to do each job and not all information is disclosed to you. Examples:

(1) When you pull the instrument cluster, the main wiring harness is

clipped between the speedo/tach. If you don't know this and just

'tug away' there's a good chance you'll 'saw' into a factory

original wiring bundle and maybe 'smoke' things you didn't intend!

(2) When you re-install the instrument cluster, there are both electrical

and vacuum lines going to the headlamp switch. To get the cluster

in and the wiring harness clamped back in place, it's real easy to

disturb the HL switch and the next thing you know you've got vac

leaks and/or electrical funnies....

(3) The center console bezel was designed with an intentional fatigue

point in its pot metal. If you pull wrong/out-of-sequence, it may

'see' the car's going into a front end collision and rupture as

it was designed. NOS replacements are expensive and rare.

So, my advice is fork out the dough and build a support library for your classic car including the AIM, CSM, and NCRS Judging Guide before you dive in. Knowledge up front can save a lot of pain on the tail end AND it'll make those questions you have clearer plus add to the knowledge and fun of owning your classic Corvette.

[Jack H.]

Danger, Will Robinson, Danger!

My advice is to STOP tearing into your classic car at this point and build a support library for your classic Corvette! The '71 Chassis Service Manual (CSM) gives you step-by-step instructions for the R&R (remove/replace) of most assemblies. Doing jobs trial and error or via 2nd hand info can get you in trouble. The NDB is a great knowledge supplement, but even with the experience we provide, there's always the potential for a 'hole'....

Take the advice Joe Lucia gives you on working on the instrument/center cluster of your car. The CSM says you step by step how to do each job and not all information is disclosed to you. Examples:

(1) When you pull the instrument cluster, the main wiring harness is

clipped between the speedo/tach. If you don't know this and just

'tug away' there's a good chance you'll 'saw' into a factory

original wiring bundle and maybe 'smoke' things you didn't intend!

(2) When you re-install the instrument cluster, there are both electrical

and vacuum lines going to the headlamp switch. To get the cluster

in and the wiring harness clamped back in place, it's real easy to

disturb the HL switch and the next thing you know you've got vac

leaks and/or electrical funnies....

(3) The center console bezel was designed with an intentional fatigue

point in its pot metal. If you pull wrong/out-of-sequence, it may

'see' the car's going into a front end collision and rupture as

it was designed. NOS replacements are expensive and rare.

So, my advice is fork out the dough and build a support library for your classic car including the AIM, CSM, and NCRS Judging Guide before you dive in. Knowledge up front can save a lot of pain on the tail end AND it'll make those questions you have clearer plus add to the knowledge and fun of owning your classic Corvette.

[Tom Fetchik]

Re: replace drivers side speaker in '71 Corvette c

Joe, as usual has given good advice. Just having taken my 71 dash out, I can confirm his procedure is right on.

There is a possibility that you can take the dash pad off without removing the whole speedo cluster. Follow Joe's procedure and looking behind the center gauge cluster you will find a brace holding the dash pad. Remove it. Before you pull the speedo cluster out, you can pull the dash pad out. It is clipped on in the back and pulls staright out foreward. Once out you can also get to the speaker wires and mounting speed nuts

[Tom Fetchik]

Re: replace drivers side speaker in '71 Corvette c

Joe, as usual has given good advice. Just having taken my 71 dash out, I can confirm his procedure is right on.

There is a possibility that you can take the dash pad off without removing the whole speedo cluster. Follow Joe's procedure and looking behind the center gauge cluster you will find a brace holding the dash pad. Remove it. Before you pull the speedo cluster out, you can pull the dash pad out. It is clipped on in the back and pulls staright out foreward. Once out you can also get to the speaker wires and mounting speed nuts