huhsler

Hey all. This weekend, I pulled and pried and shoved and swore at my center dash panel to try to get it off and take a look at it...all to no avail.

I did some searches on center dash panel remove install, etc. and came up with bubkiss (sp?).

Can someone post a quick and dirty procedure on the best way to do this (without mangling anything)?

Thanks in advance.

OKRX-8

There is a bolt accessed from under the dash on the drivers side...10mm I believe that needs to be removed! You'll skin up your arm getting to it but once its out the dash center slides right out. Don't feel bad we've all done it too. There is also a service bulletin about it I think.

huhsler

Ooop...

Sorry, I meant the center dash panel on top with the little Bose speaker fabric in the center (the part that rotarygod is building a 1DIN replacement for).

My apologies if I wasn't clear. Thanks though.

jdaled

There are two screws near the air vents that must be removed. You have to take the entire audio unit/climate control section out of the dash first... I've got pics under my Music Keg install folder (see my sig.) and there's a thread on it (the Keg install) as well...

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...+keg+installed

That should help.

huhsler

That is perfect! Thanks a bunch jdaled!

sjt

can you specify where I should see this 10mm bolt???

I can't get the damn dash off... & I can't even see a 10mm bolt that has anything to do with the dash.

OKRX-8

Check this out http://www.finishlineperformance.com...s/9-13-03.html I hope it helps

Tom

sjt

thanks!

MD at LAST!!!

huhsler

Oddly enough, my Mazda MP3 player came with the Japanese directions. The picture has the bolt on the right, instead of the left. Is that actually correct on Japanese RX-8's? I've seen the right-side steering wheel, so I figure anything's possible.

Until I found this forum, I went crazy trying to rip out my stereo to install it!

OKRX-8

Glad I could help; Heaven knows I've been lurking long enough to know something to help someone; I sure don't know as much as some but I do know more than other newbies.

AWillsea

You are right about the Japanese (Right Hand Drive) version of the car. The bolt for the stereo is on the opposite side. I also had difficulty finding that 10mm bolt until I removed the metal brace under the steering column that is just behind the plastic valence. It is a HELL of a lot easier to get that bolt out if you remove that little metal brace. Only 4 phillips screws and it pops right off.