Replaceing my hinges on the windshield form chrome to black and didnt realzie the driverside is inaccessable to the nuts on the inside. anybody have any trick to get to them, that doesnt involve pulling appart the entire dash?
Trouble removing windshield hinges
- Thread starter sbcyj89
- Start date
Replaced mine recently and the dash was completely apart. Even the main metal plate that goes on first. Don’t think that I could’ve done it any other way. I ended up using a propane torch on the seam sealer that was covering the nuts. Digging out the seam sealer was probably the biggest pain.
It's strange how varied the results on this are. I have removed the hinges from the tub before, and there was no seam sealer whatsoever on any of the 8 nuts, and I could tell no one had been there before. Got them out no problem. I did however, break one of the 8 holding the hinges to the frame, and there is nothing to grab. I tried to drill it but didn't have much luck, so I am risking it with only 3 bolts on that side for now.
I concur, I was only able to get to any of this because the entire dash was out. Not even worth trying otherwise.
Sounds like yours had captured nuts mine is an 89 and did not. It was the original hinges, there was no paint under the seam sealer. Also no paint on the outside under the hinges. Same goes for the rear tailgate hinges. Apparently, in 89 at least the outer body hardware was all added then the body was painted. I am surprised it was not in worse shape than it was.
Mine had individual nuts holding the hinges to the tub. seems to be the same design across the years, but I guess maybe some needed more seam sealer than others. There was some seam sealer in the area, just 0 on the nuts. It does seem like the earlier years, maybe 87-90 or so, have more complaints of it on the nuts. Maybe they updated their process at some point. Maybe in 89.
I had a similar experience with my 1991. I didn't remove the dash completely but it was loose all the way around and was hanging outward. The worst part was the seam sealer that was coated all over the damn nuts on the backside. Getting all of that off so I could get a wrench on those nuts is what took the longest and it was definitely a real pita.
That’s how I did mine on a 80 model Yj.
Loosen up the dash and you can get to them.
I found out they weren’t captive the hard way!!
Loosen up the dash and you can get to them.
I found out they weren’t captive the hard way!!