Ford Explorer: Instrument Panel and Console / Removal and Installation - Instrument Panel Upper Section

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment

Removal

NOTE: Removal steps in this procedure may contain installation details.

1. Remove the instrument panel.
   Refer to: Instrument Panel (501-12 Instrument Panel and Console, Removal and Installation).
   

1. 
   Push the stop tabs inwards and fully lower the glove compartment.
   
   • Remove the glove compartment check strap.
     

1. 
   Remove the bolts and the glove compartment assembly.
   
   • Disconnect the electrical connector.
     

1. Remove the bolts.
   Torque: 93 lb.in (10.5 Nm)

1. Remove the bolts, disconnect the electrical connectors, and detach the harness retainer.
   

1. Remove the two bolts through the glove box opening.
   

1. Release the clips and remove the trim panel.
   

1. 
   Remove the bolts, release the clips and remove the display.
   
   • Disconnect the electrical connector.
     

1. Release the clips and remove the center register trim panel.
   Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover

1. 
   Release the clips and remove the audio and HVAC control panel.
   
   • Disconnect the elecrical connectors.
     Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover

1. Remove the bolt, release the clips and remove the IPC bezel and upper steering column trim panel.
   Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover

1. 
   Remove the bolts and the IPC.
   
   • Disconnect the electrical connector.
     Torque: 22 lb.in (2.5 Nm)

1. 
   Release the clips and remove the finish panel.
   
   • Disconnect the electrical connector.
     

1. Remove the bolts and the display mounting plate.
   Torque: 17 lb.in (1.9 Nm)

1. Remove the lower steering column trim panel.
   Torque: 19 lb.in (2.2 Nm)

1.   WARNING: Do not reuse steering column nuts. This may result in fastener failure and steering column detachment or loss of steering control. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious injury to vehicle occupant(s).

   
   Remove and discard the steering column nuts and remove the steering column.
   
   • Disconnect the electrical connectors and detach the harness retainers.
     Torque: 159 lb.in (18 Nm)

1. Release the clips and remove the speaker grille.
   Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover

1. 
   Remove the bolts and the instrument panel speaker.
   
   • Disconnect the electrical connector.
     Torque: 17 lb.in (1.9 Nm)

1. Detach the harness retainer and position the harenss through the hole.
   

1. Release the clips and remove the RH instrument panel finish panel.
   Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover

1. Remove the bolt and the RH HVAC register.
   

1. Remove the bolts and the HVAC duct.
   

1. 
   Disconnect the electrical connector, detach the harness retainer and position aside the harness.
   
   • Remove the bolts.
     

1. NOTE: Use an 10 inch to 14 inch extension, 7mm swivel socket to aid in removal of hidden bolt.

   Access the bolt through the opening and remove the bolt.
   

1. NOTE: Use an 10 inch to 14 inch extension, 7mm swivel socket to aid in removal of hidden bolt.

   Access the bolt through the opening and remove the bolt.
   

1. 
   Remove the bolts.
   
   • Detach the harness retainers and position aside the harness.
     

1. Remove the bolt.
   

1. Remove the bolt.
   

1. Remove the bolt.
   

1. Remove the bolts.
   

1. Remove the bolts.
   

1. Remove the bolts.
   
   • Detach the harenss retainers and position aside the harness.
     

1. Remove the bolts.
   

1. 
   Remove the instrument panel upper section by lifting the rear of the upper section (defroster duct) over the in-vehicle cross beam and rolling over the front.
   
   • Disconnect the electrical connector.
     

Installation

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.