Instrument Panel: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 Lincoln MKS. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

1.

Rotate the steering wheel until the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position.

2.

Drain the coolant. For additional information, refer to Engine Cooling .

3.

Recover the refrigerant. For additional information, refer to Climate Control System - General Information and Diagnostics .

4.

Remove the wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft assembly. For additional information, refer to Wipers and Washers .

5.

Disconnect the 3 PCM electrical connectors.

6.

Remove the wire harness retainer from the PCM bracket stud.

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7.

Remove the 2 PCM nuts and the PCM.

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8.

Remove the 3 nuts and the PCM bracket.

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9.

Remove the vacuum hose clip from the strut tower cross brace.

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10.

Remove the strut tower cross brace.
- NOTE: LH side shown in illustration, RH side similar.
  
  Remove the LH and RH strut upper mount inboard nuts.

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11.

Remove the vacuum hose and the evaporator purge solenoid hose from the upper intake manifold and position aside.

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12.

Remove the heater hoses from the heater core.

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13.

Remove the Thermostatic Expansion Valve (TXV) manifold nut and the TXV manifold.
- Discard the O-ring seals.

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14.

Remove the RH and LH instrument panel upper cowl bolts.

15.

Remove the front seats. For additional information, refer to Seating .

16.

Remove the steering wheel. For additional information, refer to Steering Column .

17.

Remove the floor console. For additional information, refer to Console - Floor .

18.

Pull off the LH and RH front door opening weatherstrips.

19.

Remove the LH and RH A-pillar trim panels. For additional information, refer to Interior Trim and Ornamentation .

20.

Remove the LH and RH scuff plate trim panels.
- Lift the scuff plate trim panels upward to release the retaining clips.

21.

Remove the LH and RH instrument panel side trim panels.
- Pull the instrument panel side trim panels outward to release the retaining clips.

22.

Remove the LH and RH lower cowl trim panels.
- Pull the lower cowl trim panels rearward to release the retaining clips.

23.

Remove the hood release handle bolt and handle.

24.

Remove and discard the steering column shaft-to-steering column bolt.

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25.

Separate the steering column shaft from the steering column.

26.

Disconnect the LH instrument panel bulkhead electrical connector.

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27.

Disconnect the 2 Smart Junction Box (SJB) lower electrical connectors and the lower bulkhead electrical connector.

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28.

Remove the driver footrest pad.
- Remove the 2 pin-type retainers.

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29.

NOTE: To avoid damaging the carpet with coolant when the instrument panel is removed, the carpet must be removed.

Remove the LH and RH front carpet sections.
- Remove the 2 pin-type retainers.

30.

Remove the 2 pin-type retainers and the rear footwell duct.

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31.

Disconnect the antenna cable and, if equipped, the satellite radio antenna connector.

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32.

Disconnect the RH bulkhead electrical connector.

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33.

Remove the 2 bolts and the ground wires from the floor pan tunnel.

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34.

Disconnect the Restraints Control Module(RCM) small electrical connector and detach the 2 wire harness pin-type retainers.

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35.

Remove the 4 instrument panel center support bracket bolts.

36.

NOTE: To avoid damaging the instrument panel, an assistant is required to support the instrument panel when carrying out this step.

NOTE: Remove the bolts from one side completely and support the instrument panel before removing the bolts from the opposite side.

Remove the 6 instrument panel side bolts.

37.

NOTE: To avoid damaging the instrument panel, an assistant is required when carrying out this step.

NOTE: Make sure not to damage the RH front door trim panel or the instrument panel when removing the instrument panel from the vehicle.

NOTE: Make sure that the electrical connectors and wiring are not caught up on other components when removing the instrument panel or damage to the components may occur.

Remove the instrument panel from the vehicle.
- Rotate the instrument panel face down and remove through the RH front door opening.