Trying to get my instrument panel removed. Thought I had to remove the steering wheel but found out I didn't have too which is a plus but I'm still stuck at where to begin. Was reading the factory service manual but I think I'm over looking it.

Update: See post #6 for my step-by-step instructions.

 

Anybody know how or know any Nissan techs?

 

Pretty Strait forward. I don't have the schematics, but you remove all the screws and bolts holding on the lower cover, and disconect the hood release. Then remove the lower part of the steering column cover. Next the upper column cover. Finally the screws and bolts holding in the instrument panel.

You should be able to find pictures or FSM schematics somewhere on this site or the web.

 

Yes, I'm looking at the FSM pdf's but somewhat confusing to me.

 

I took a picture of my dash, but it looks totally different from yours (mine is an 06). I think you may need to remove the lower dash panel on yours to access the rear bolts.



I also found these instructions somebody else made that outlines the process nicely:

Main Gauge Pod – Lift the steering wheel as high as possible, you will find 4 screws under the column (one screw will be under the lever), take them out. Remove the key hole trim ring. Take a small flat head screw driver (wrap it in tape to protect your plastic pieces if you wish) and pry open the bottom half of the steering wheel column from both sides, the piece should pop off with some work. Move that piece out of the way and there will be 4 bolts that need to be removed (these bolts hold the main gauge cluster in). The two rear bolts should be facing straight down, while the front two bolts will be roughly at a 45 degree angle. Remove the bolts, lift up the gauge cluster, and unplug the wire harness.

 

Alright, got it out yesterday. Here is how to do it for a 2008 350z (I'm guessing this would be the same for a 2006-2008 350z)...

Note: You do not need to remove the steering wheel and you do not need to remove the whole plastic that goes around the bottom of the door.

1. If you got a defi box mounted like I do...remove the wires from the back of the box and label them correctly (if you don't there is a chance that when you drop the main lower plastic panel it will rip or damage your connections).


2. Remove the silver foot rest. Pull it towards you until it pops off. Once that is off, remove the fuse cover and also remove the plastic that the fuse cover attached to. Looks like a J, and is held in my clips. Just pull and wiggle it until it comes out.


3. Once that J piece is removed. It will expose two (2) phillip screws. Remove those, and also remove the two (2) phillip screws that go to your diag port (not 100% sure if you need to remove the diag port screws but I did anyways).



4. Then remove the big lower plastic panel. Also held in by clips. There might be a couple of screws holding this on as well. There was either none or there was two (2) if I remember correctly. Pull and wiggle until it drops down and just leave this part hang. Don't remove the plastic under the steering column just yet.


5. Take the metal plate off below the steering wheel. I believe it was 4x 10mm bolts and also one of them had a ground wire going to it.


6. Take the plastic ring around the ignition key out. Just pull with your fingers or use a flat head screw driver to slowly pop it out.

7. Take the plastic under the steering wheel out. Should also be phillip screws and some clips. Pull and wiggle until it drops down. Also will be a brown plug. Unplug that.

8. Take the bolts out of the bottom of the cluster. Two (2) of them at at a slight angle than the other two (2)

9. Lift the gauge cluster up slowly and keep lifting until you can see the harness plug.

10. Unplug the harness plug and remove the cluster out.

After you are all done here is the stuff you should have/see...