i need to replace the printed circuit on a 72 ss dash-can i get to it with the dash pad off, or do i need to drop the dash down-if i have to lower the dash, do i need to rem or lower the steering col.- i cant remember when i pulled my 70 dash, i already had the col. out
thanks

As much as you don't want to hear this, in the long run, it would be a lot easier to pull the dash carrier out than to try to install a new circuit board with the dash in place. I'm not even sure that it can be done. Too little clearance behind the speedometer head and if you have a clock, you've got to contend with the length of the stem.

The new circuit "board" is manufactured flat and wants to stay flat even though it has to follow the contour of the instrument cluster. I think trying to align all of the instrument lamp holes along with the screw holes that hold "things" in place by doing it with the carrier in place would be beyond the scope of practicality.

Now, with that said, another TCer had a trick that just might work without pulling the carrier out completely. He suggested getting some really long bolts to replace the dash mounting bolts that are located at the extreme upper corners of the dash on each end. Once everything is disconnected, you can slide the dash carrier away from the cowl and perhaps have enough room to pull the cluster and do what you have to do. It just might be worth a try. (My appologies to the member who came up with the idea, I'd give credit if I could remember who it was.)

As far as your steering column goes, no need to do anything more than dropping it down and no need to pull the steering wheel either.

The weakest point in your dash carrier is right in the middle where there are great big ol' holes for the radio and the heater/ac controls. My advice would be to pull your radio out first to get some weight off - especially if you have an original factory radio which weighs about the same as a good sized house brick. If you are going to pull the dash out completely, the factory recommended that you have a helper on one end with you on the other - probably not a bad idea.

Good luck and let us know how you make out. We'll all learn together.

Here's some pics.

The simplified version....

DISCONNECT THE BATTERY!.

I hung the steering column with some wire ties.

Tape up the steering column so as not to scratch it.

Replaced the two end bolts with long carrier bolts so that you can't pull it out too far.

Disconnect all the wires and screws as detailed in the dash removal guide (you can get a copy on the Ground Up site)

Pulled the dash forward.

Wire tied the center to take some pressure off.

Unscrewed the cluster and pulled it out. Replaced the circuit and put it all back together....

DID I MENTION TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY

Good luck. If you want the longwinded version, just give me a call at 732.278.3255 :beers:

yeah, just take the dash out and replace anything else that needs help while you are at it. I put a reproduction circuit board in my 70', and having the dash out helps you do a better/neater job on the entire dash. Why not go ahead and restore the whole things while its out? Yours might be restored already, but if it isn't, now is the time to take of all the other issues you want to take care of. Trust me, you dont want to take the dash out 10 times like I did to get it all right. Make sure you search the forums for tech questions and answer on dashes before you get going. If I had discovered this website four years ago...I would have had allot more enjoyment out of my car...good luck.