Dash board hack.

[MMorgan62]

IF you are flexible enough you can reach the button for the headlamp switch from under the dash, it is not easy and you may have to move a few items out of the way. The A/C vent will be the worst to deal with. Once the rod is out you have it made, just disconnecting the wires but they have slack.

Can you post a pic of the inside of the glove box where the screws are?

 

[MMorgan62]

Here is the pic. The screws are tight. The pad has no play what size ever.

 

[MMorgan62]

You may find that lifting up on the edge of the pad above the screws to put pressure on it while turning them out may work as well.

Thanks superdave. I have tried that too to no avail.

 

[MMorgan62]

Almost considering sacrificing the dash pad, going on right above the screws with an ocsilating saw and cut them . Would have to replace the pad. But if the screw anchors are stripped anyway, what would be another option?

 

[cheveslakr]

I doubt if they are screw anchors or solid tapped metal.....they're likely a spring metal u-clip that has some movement to it. So, removing the pad and replacing that clip would be a routine fix.

 

[MMorgan62]

It seems that what ever the anchor is they are within the foam pad.

 

[cheveslakr]

Okay, that's different, apologize for being slow. I'd do the burr bit then, just be careful, jab it then let it cool, repeat until the head pops. Then smoke a cig.

 

[MMorgan62]

Lol, I’ll do it exactly like you say. Except I’ll swap the cig for a cold beer. Cheers!

 

[Nashville Cat]

This may be easier ; take something thin and press it against the screw (under the head) to keep it from turning.
While pressing sideways, drill the center of the screw with a 1/8" or smaller drill bit until the head pops off

 

[MMorgan62]

This may be easier ; take something thin and press it against the screw (under the head) to keep it from turning.
While pressing sideways, drill the center of the screw with a 1/8" or smaller drill bit until the head pops off

Those tapered screws are in tight . No way to slide anything under the head without cracking the dash plastic.

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

The pad can be repaired with epoxy and holes retapped, the dash cannot. remove the glove box door and carefully drill the head off, like you are doing.

 

[MMorgan62]

Ten-four.. let you know how it goes.

 

[Shaner]

I see a torx head, did you try a torx?

 

[cage2592]

I'm curious how this turned out. I think I would have drilled out the center with the appropriate size bit. Enough for the head to separate from the screw shaft. Once everything was apart, a small pair of vice grips on the screw and twist it out.

 

[MMorgan62]

The job is complete. Keep in mind the screws used here were a round head Allen head. So the head was deep. Anyway I used a burr bit to start. Drilled it to what I thought was to outside of the screw shaft. Then went to a real good sharp drill bit. Started drilling while at same time putting lift pressure on dash pad . When the head popped off the dash lifted. Off it came. Now for the kicker. What they had done was used a lock nut. I could not reach all the way around the glove box and feel them. If I would have known I could have felt my way with a 1/4” socket possibly. Or pulled the glove box. Jeez, I just wanted to change my headlight switch . A 15 minute job!

 

[Nashville Cat]

Jeez, I just wanted to change my headlight switch . A 15 minute job!

But it's done !