i did this up for the superbeetles only site but figured i may as well put it up here too
i see the question how do i remove a 1303 dash come up all the time so i thought next time i did it i would document the process
this is rhd but there is very minimal difference in lhd just a few things are opposite way around
this is your garden variety 1303/Lbug/superbeetle dash
first step is to remove the steering wheel and column
u can remove the panel under the coloum (if theres still one there) by just undoing the screws in the holes either side
the steering wheel is removed by first removing the horn pad
just grab it and pull away from the steering wheel to release the clips
then get that big 27mm nut undone its easier to pull the key out so the steering lock engages so it doesnt try and turn on u
once thats off theres a little circlip i think this is only on the big splined shafts (73 only)
unplug all the connections from the column and get a 6mm 1/4" allen key and remove the bolt then it just slides off
make sure to put the key back in and release the steering lock first
the radio plate just unclips
the switch panel is held at either end by screws
u'll have to remove the covers first, just slide a blade screw driver under them and lever off
theres also a screw in the middle behind a plug just under the speedo
when u remove that u have 2 options with the switchs
1 is just unclip them from the panel and leave them hanging
or 2 unplug all the wires and leave the switches attactched to the switch panel
which is what i did
if u do this it may help to lable all the connections
now with that gone reach in thro the hole and unscrew the speedo cable from the speedo
when thats done from behind simply push the speedo out
and unplug all the wires
again it may help to lable all the wires
now the hood release cable needs to be disconnected
as it cant really be done at the glove box end it has to be done at the latch end
put a phillips head down the hole and undo the screw a few turns then just pull the cable out
how ever when u do this if u lock ur boot down u cant release it so its a good idea to remove this little thingy
it can still click down shut but it wont lock
next unscrew the 2 collars that hold the fresh air/ defroster knobs
i find a pair of pointy nosed plyers do the job perfectly
and undo the nut holding the fresh air fan switch after pulling out the knob
now to unbolt the dash
on either side under a little rubber plug u'll find a phillips head screw
and 2 on the bottom of the dash as well
theres a bracket behind the ashtray that needs to be unbolted
the dash should now be free it will need to slide towards the rear of the car to unclip defroster panel from the 4 clips
then it can be lift back and flipped over
u'll notice a few pieces of the loom are held down by tabs
just bend them up to release the wiring
and now u can see the nice rust repairs awaiting u
the fresh air box fills up with leaves and all sorts of crap which blocks the drain and holds moisture so natural it rusts like a bucket
the defroster ducting and panels can be removed by just undoing all the screws
if u need the bug to be drivable again just refit the steering column and plug in the ignition switch plug
but remember there will be live wires everywhere from the speedo, headlight swithc and hazard switch so its a good idea to tape them up
and thats pretty much it
have fun
-Joel
nice how to. Gee thats a nasty dash isn't it.
I don't have a 1303 but I thank you for going to the trouble of documenting this for others to use.:beer:beer
Yogie
this will definitely come in handy. thanks heaps!
Looks like I'll be doing exactly this Joel!
Have to rewire the interior light and door sensors, easiest way to get my hands in there is to remove the dash completely, unless there are other ways?
Thanks for this Joel, no doubt it will help many and has already helped a lot!
You won't need to remove the dash for that.
Pretty much all the wiring behind the dash can be accessed with it still in place, especially stuff like the interior light wiring.
Thanks for the guide, I think i will be doing this next trip home in sept. Time for the rust repair and get the cr redy for a cage.
I have no sympathy for my car, only the wallet that pays for it!
Go hard or go home!!!!
Alright Joel, I'll definitely take photos and update my thread throughout the install, hopefully there won't be a need to pull out the whole dash...
Although I still may need to if I'm getting to the speedo and doing the LED replacement like you have done in yours 🙂
