skydragon Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 I'm having problems using the BC search engine, so please excuse the relatively numpty question... I am replacing the dash/instruments on my late 2003 car and need to remove the scuttle (the ally panel that goes over the top of the dash). What is the best/easiest way of removing it? I'm guessing that I need to drill out the 20-30 rivets that hold the front bulkhead to the scuttle? My car has wipers/washer if that makes any difference... Any tips/advice? 1.6 K Series EU3, 2003, with DVA K05 and a few other goodies... website here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Ryan Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 You can remove the scuttle as a unit without removing the rivets.. If you look inside the car at the point where the top panel of the scuttle joins the side of the car, you will find 2 bolts per side. Undo these, and lift out the small metal channels that the bolts go through. Then undo the wiper spindles. There may be some sealant to deal with, and 2 small trim panels covering the scuttle bolts inside the cockpit, but then the whole unit lifts off, giving great access to the instruments and wiring. I may have forgotten one or two bits, but it's a lot quicker than taking out 30 rivets.. (By the way, disconnect the heated wiper wires as you lift the scuttle off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubbster Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 You need to remove the tonneau poppers on the scuttle at the centre of the windscreen, unbolt the heater, remove the heater cable, unbolt steering bush, unbolt fuse box, unbolt inertia switch, disconnect heated windscreen, remove wiper spindles, unbolt scuttle both sides, drill out 1 rivet each side. I think that is it - but still a lot easier than drilling out all the rivets! Solent Se7ens Web! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowerman Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Or....you can drill out the rivits and replace with self tapers....easy next time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skydragon Posted December 5, 2010 Author Share Posted December 5, 2010 Thanks for the prompt reply John/Grubster. I don't have a heater (real mans car 😬 ) so that's one less thing to worry about. I'm confused.... (easy to do ) If I look at my scuttle panel, the front of it is bent over and riveted to the front bulkhead panel with 20-30 rivets. The front bulkhead panel and the tray in front of it (where the heater would sit) has the steering column running through it, gel battery, ECU, etc mounted on it as well as the side skin panels bent over it.... are you suggesting that as well as the scuttle panel, that I remove the front bulkhead panel and heater tray....I don't really want to have to remove this if possible (it would be far easier to remove and replace the rivets I think??) piccie of my engine bay and bulkhead is here Perhaps I'm missing the point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Deslandes Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 The problem with not drilling out the rivets and leaving the firewall in place is that you'll have to remove any cables or pipes that go through the firewall. Whether this is a pain depends on how much goes through it and how easy they are to disconnect. Removing the rivets is really not a big deal and takes less than 10 minutes with an electric drill, and that includes sipping a cup of coffee. You'll also need to remove the 4 nuts, 2 either side, holding the scuttle to the chassis, the tonneau dot fasteners in the middle and the rivet at either end/rear edge at the front of the door sill. The last may be filled and painted so you may have to look for them. Edited to add wiper spindles 😬 Get hold of an air rivet gun and replacement's a doddle - or replace with rivnuts and screws so its easier to get off next time. Edited by - Paul Deslandes on 5 Dec 2010 19:16:23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skydragon Posted December 5, 2010 Author Share Posted December 5, 2010 Thanks Paul, makes sense Looks like I'll get my drill out and start de-rivietting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Fowler Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Rivnuts. Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubbster Posted December 5, 2010 Share Posted December 5, 2010 Yes I do mean remove the bulkhead as well, I found this to be very easy and looking at your photo there is very little going through it or attached to it - so a doddle But it seems there are 2 differing views on this thread so that probably means there isn't much in it so take your pick Solent Se7ens Web! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonboylaw Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 If removing the firewall with the scuttle, there are two nuts and bolts around the steering tube that also need to be removed and also consider unbolting the fuse box and any earth leads there may be. LesG riv-nutted his scuttle to the firewall but it is a fair bit of work. I removed mine as a complete unit and it take about 15 mins in total. I replaced the large rivet by the sills with an M5 large domed bolt and riv-nut. Jonathan ========================= My Flickr Gallery 92 Supersprint, Ford LSD LA, RK AX Crossflow. Stealth model (Matt Black and Ali), rebuild completed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slipper man Posted December 6, 2010 Share Posted December 6, 2010 It is only the vertical part of the firewall that comes off. It is only connected to the horizontal bit by sealant. Comes off very easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonym Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 What size rivnuts? (For the scuttle instead of rivets). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drumster Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 M4 will do the trick and I only used 12 but you'd probably get away with 6 in all honesty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Whitley Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 Yes, the first time I did it I replaced all the pop-rivets with rivnuts but then found it difficult to line up all the screws (as well as unnecessary). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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