Changing wood on the dashboard
 

A quick 'how to' incase anyone want to know how to remove those pesky bits of wood that are attached to the dashboard as its not immediately obvious how to do it:

Shot of the walnut trim we want to change:

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1268596269


You first need to remove the glovebox, which is a fairly obvious 3 x 8mm bolts, then we need to remove the vent to gain access, and to do this we have 2 x 4mm allen bolts to remove under here:

**** UPDATE: People have reported further in this thread that it is not the two highlighted bolts, but the single bolt in the middle - Please read the whole thread ****

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1268596269

Once they're gone, the vent will prize outwards. Its tough, and tight, but the dash is tough and soft (if that makes any sense) so you can give it some good welly to lever it out

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1268596269

The secret to it all is a clip that is directly up inside the vent. Pull it down with your fingers and it will release the trim:

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1268596269

Once this clip is removed, you can pull the left hand side of the trim (where the clip was holding it on) outwards and then slide the trim out to the left.

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1268596269

Refitting is the reversal of removal:

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1268596283

The trim on the drivers side is very similar, on its much smaller and has two retaining clips directly up once inside the vent. Pull both of these out to release....

Enjoy +++

Hi

I'm new on the forum, I can't find any instructions how to take apart the trim that's around the radio and aircon. Can someone help. I'm going to replace my RNS-D by RNS-E, and it would help to mark the trimming needed for RNS-E to fit.

You need to take the side trims off and undo the bolts at either side. I'm sure there's a thread around for Aircon bulb fix that points it out (or maybe it's only on tyresmoke).

They come out quite easily, there is one Philips screw on them, towards the back, you will need to remove the foot rest as well, then slide it down. For the drivers side you may need to remove a section under the steering wheel. Audipages tells you. +++

I read this differently to the other responses - If you have an RNS-D, then you are facelift, in which case the wood that is over the center console around the RNS-D and climate module just pulls off. Grab it from the bottom above where the ashtray is and pull out. You'll need the gear selected out of Park in order to get the wood trim past that and away.

This should give you more than enough leverage to get the RNS-E in for sizing up.

If however you want to remove the whole plastic/metal cage that holds the RNS-D/Climate in, then you need the transmission tunnel covers off and to remove the 4mm bolts that are holding it in down the sides - This is process for the Prefacelift cars as the wood is bolted to the frame from the inside, and cant just be pulled off.... +++

Good point :) ^^^ What he said.

Yep, I have the FL model.
Thanks for the replies, I didn't have the gutts to pull the faceplate, but if thats the way to get it off, ill try. Thousand thanks for the help so far. +++

I have all the wood trim from a pre facelift 95 car in walnut which I really like and think it will look really cool against my ecru leather and black carpets.
Will this fit in my 01 S8? I know the centre fascia won't so I will get that from A8 Parts. I also might have a problem with the ashtray cover as mine has the controls for the trip computer and a cup holder and not the storage compartment the 95/6s got. Can I somehow fit the walnut on or do I need a new one of them too?

It should all fit, the cupholder may differ slightly, but a8parts should have some of them.

The door handle inserts may be slightly different. The pre face was a 2 parter and the facelift is one piece, but I think they should fit.

Watch for things like the rear vents where you may / may not have heated rear seats...

Cheers Ian, that's great news. My woods been bugging me for far to long now. :D
Will order the other bits from yourselves tomorrow...+++
Just need the extended leather pack now, I'm on the waiting list at A8 parts.

Ian

Just thought I would make an observation having followed your instructions last night and ripped my vent apart!

It's not the two allen screws that you undo, these hold the ducting. It's the one allen screw between them (the third hole in the trim in your second photo above) that secures the vent

Thanks Jeremy, I am about to do this next weekend :eek:

Doh... Sorry bout that.... :rolleyes:

Thanks for the update for folks in the future....

I did post about this as i too pulled mine appart! weirdly it seems to have dissapeared :tuttut:

Its the bit about 'Its tough, and tight' that had me leavering and pulling on mine until the vent came appart. I found that with all the bolts removed it came out very easily... haha

Have A8 parts done a lot of trade in passenger heater vents? Lol!

Also did this mod, no need to take the glovebox out(as this is a mother to put back)

cheers, Jake

Hi
I've come to this post about 4 years after the original post, but glad I did.
However I only read the first page and subsequently pulled my vent apart to realise that it was the OTHER hex screw that had to be undone.

It's all very well seeing a correction on page 2, but who is going to get that far before realising the error?

So if Ian or a moderator is reading this, can the original post on page 1 be amended to show that it's another screw that needs to be removed on both sides?

If it could then I guess it could save some others from destroying their vent :rolleyes:

Thanks in advance :cheers:
Dean

Hi
I've come to this post about 4 years after the original post, but glad I did.
However I only read the first page and subsequently pulled my vent apart to realise that it was the OTHER hex screw that had to be undone.

It's all very well seeing a correction on page 2, but who is going to get that far before realising the error?

So if Ian or a moderator is reading this, can the original post on page 1 be amended to show that it's another screw that needs to be removed on both sides?

If it could then I guess it could save some others from destroying their vent :rolleyes:

Thanks in advance :cheers:
Dean

Done. Thanks for the firm prod... ;-)

Thank you :)