binnacle surround removal

[gghc87]

Need access in the S4s to the instruments so is it possible to remove the binnacle surround and leave the instruments in place to replace one of them?

If so is there an easy method and are there any pitfalls on the way?

Ta in advance

[sailorbob]

There are two screws at the front on each side (easy) and a M6 bolt in the middle towards the rear (the harder one to get to). There is not a lot of room between it and the windscreen when lifting it off so it's best to place a folded towel or something similar between the two.

Edited May 25, 2010 by sailorbob

[Mike6]

Not sure if its the same binnacle as my car but you may need to undo the four bolts in the footwell to get the other bits undone around the binnacle. To be honest it only took me about 20 mins to undo the four bolts ease the binnacle up unthread the speedo cable and disconnect the electrics. You can then lift the lot out and access all the dials easily.

[tinywillyuk]

As above, be very careful with windscreen clearance. As I found to my cost, there isn't much. Doesn't half go with a bang when broken from the inside...

[esp88]

Hi Cliff

I think there are some picture/procedure in Espirt fact file :

http://www.espritfactfile.com/indexf.html

Yasuo

[gghc87]

Thanks for the replies and the warnings everyone

Found the link, Yasuo your a star

binnacle removal

[martynv]

Hi Cliff,

I've found it best to place some layers of soft cloth on the top of the binnacle to prevent any damage to the windscreen it's the air vent that's the really hard bit that'll possibly do the damage. The four bolts that hold the binnacle down can be seen if you peer between the top of the dash and the underside of the binnacle and it's possible with a long extension to guide the socket on to the bolts with no need to crawl under the dash. The only really awkward bit is getting the speedo cable back in as you can't actually see what you are doing so it has to be done by feel. The only other thing to be careful of is the mountings on the binnacle can damage the top of the dash if you're not careful so as soon as it's loose put some rag between the mounts and the top of the dash.

Martyn

[gghc87]

Thanks mate useful stuff. Will need to take extra care.

The glass front of the boost gauge just fell out on its own up at Malvern. The gauge still works ok but don't want to leave it to long flopping about. So need to repair/replace it, hopefully wont need to touch the speedo or the four base bolts of the binnicle if the surround pops off ok.

[waynef]

Hi Cliff I second the comment about be careful of windsheild, I cracked mine four years ago removing the binnacle and hardly touched it

You know where I am as not too far from you so if you want to pop over one evening or weekend, I know first hand on how to remove the binnacle safely now

Waynef

[lotus4s]

Martyn,

Cliff is working on an S4s and the binnacle attachment is different than yours. The S4s only has one bolt accessed from underneath and 2 phillips head screws under the front right/left corners. He also has no speedo cable as it is electronic.

Cheers,

Jim

Edited May 26, 2010 by lotus4s

[sanj]

Thanks for the replies and the warnings everyone

Found the link, Yasuo your a star

binnacle removal

That's my old website, there are probably fewer ads and whatnot at my new one:

http://home.earthlink.net/~turboesprit/