Dash/instrument panel re-installation

ANTMAT

MEMBER
2009 FORD EDGE
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
105,000 MILES

I had to replace the defrost/panel/floor mode door actuator on my vehicle. It is a long job because of removing the whole dash. I followed the instructions from the repair manual. (Chilton and Cardiagn) The problem was I could never get the dash totally off, it always felt like it was connected somewhere. I was able to replace the actuator and I am trying to put things back together, but I can't get the dashboard/instrument panel back into a flush position. Again, it is very difficult to move and it feels like it is attached to something. I have got about an 1/4" - 1/2" gap between the panel and the mounts it needs to attach to. The dashboard/instrument panel is one piece and I can find no information on it anywhere. I can see that the dashboard/instrument panel is attached with "clips" (more like a tapered post into a hole) but I was unable to remove the dash. Help! What did I miss or what am I doing wrong?

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Wednesday, November 28th, 2018 AT 5:57 AM

12 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

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52,797 POSTS

Good morning,

From the sounds of it, the ducts that connect to the dash from the firewall may not be seating correctly.

Can you post a picture of what you see so I can see what you have?

Roy

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Wednesday, November 28th, 2018 AT 6:33 AM

ANTMAT

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6 POSTS

I do believe it could be a duct issue. I will take pictures and upload them when I get home from work. Thank you very much!

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Wednesday, November 28th, 2018 AT 7:15 AM

ASEMASTER6371

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You are welcome.

We are always glad to help.

Roy

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Wednesday, November 28th, 2018 AT 7:47 AM

ANTMAT

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Here are some pictures. I tried to show the clips that keep it attached. The ones that can be seen are above the glove box. The problem is one that I saw seemed to have a nut attached at the end and it was pretty impossible to get off. I have a few more pictures, but I am converting them from my iPhone format to. Jpg so I can upload them.

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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 9:35 AM

ASEMASTER6371

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No uploads are shown. Can you try and re-post?

Roy

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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 9:45 AM

ANTMAT

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6 POSTS

Does this work?

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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 9:59 AM

ASEMASTER6371

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Got them.

Looks like it may be an angle issue getting it to sit correctly. Try lifting it up and see if it seats in any better.

Roy

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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 10:03 AM

ANTMAT

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Thank you. I have tried that, but I will try from different angles. I also will get some help - maybe two people maneuvering it will make it work
Are those clips/posts usually attached with nuts? I thought it was supposed to "pop out" - I was even using trim tools, but it was not until I used a small mirror did I see the nut. It seemed impossible to find any information at all on how to take off the 2009 Edge dashboard. All the other years seem to have a panel or small area that could be popped out to receive the screw. I have the Chilton manual and it stops (like everything else) at the instrument panel. It just says to lift it off. Do you know if there are pictures or directions anywhere that I can access?

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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 10:49 AM

ASEMASTER6371

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Yes there is. Bear with me. There are many and will have to copy. Will take a bit.

Roy

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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 11:11 AM

ANTMAT

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Thank you!

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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 11:20 AM

ASEMASTER6371

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Procedure

Instrument Panel

1. Remove the driver seat.

2. Remove the floor console. For additional information, refer to Console - Floor See: Console > Removal and Replacement > Console - Floor.

3. Remove the steering wheel.

4. Remove the weatherstripping from the front door openings near the instrument panel.

5. Remove the LH and RH instrument panel side trim panels.

6. Remove the LH and RH A-pillar trim panels.

7. Remove the LH and RH cowl panels.

8. Remove the steering column opening trim panel.
- Remove the 2 steering column opening trim panel screws.

- Disengage the steering column opening trim panel from the retaining clips.

- Disconnect the electrical connector and hose, if equipped.

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9. Remove the bolt and the hood opening handle.
- Position the handle aside.

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10. Disconnect the LH bulkhead electrical connector from under the steering column.

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11. Disconnect the RH bulkhead electrical connector from under the steering column.

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12. Disconnect the 2 electrical connectors from the left cowl panel side.

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13. Disconnect the electrical connectors and the antenna lead-in cable from the right cowl panel side.
- Remove the harness from the retainers.

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14. Disconnect the 2 A/C electrical connectors from inside the glove compartment.

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15. Disconnect the selector lever cable from the ball stud on the selector lever.

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16. Remove the selector lever cable from the retaining clips.

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17. Remove the 4 screws (2 each side) from the inner floor console support.

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18. Remove the screws from the front inner floor console support-to-instrument panel.

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19. Disconnect the electrical connectors from the front inner floor console.

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20. Remove the inner floor console support.

21. Disconnect the small Restraints Control Module (RCM) electrical connector.

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22. Remove the LH pushpin retainer and position the carpet aside.

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23. Remove the LH pushpin retainer from the instrument panel-to-A/C duct.

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24. Remove the 2 LH instrument panel-to-floor bolts.
- To install, tighten to 22 Nm (16 lb-ft).

25. Remove the RH pushpin retainer and position the carpet aside.

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26. Remove the screw from the RH instrument panel brace-to-A/C duct.

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27. Remove the RH instrument panel-to-floor bolt.
- To install, tighten to 22 Nm (16 lb-ft).

28. Remove the 2 nuts and the LH instrument panel brace-to-A/C duct.

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29. Remove and discard the steering column shaft-to-steering column bolt.
- To install, use a new steering column pinch bolt and tighten to 23 Nm (17 lb-ft).

30. Detach the steering column shaft from the steering column.

31. Remove the upper cowl panel grille.

32. Remove the bolt from the front of dash.
- To install, tighten to 20 Nm (177 lb-in).

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33. NOTE: The Torx head bolt is not completely removed. The bolt is pulled outward far enough to allow for clearance when removing the instrument panel.

Completely loosen the Torx head bolt from inside the LH door opening.

- To install, tighten to 30 Nm (22 lb-ft).

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34. Remove the 2 LH instrument panel bolts from inside the LH door opening.
- To install, tighten to 20 Nm (177 lb-in).

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35. Remove the 2 instrument panel-to-steering column bracket bolts from the bracket under the steering column.
- To install, tighten to 22 Nm (16 lb-ft).

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36. Remove the LH instrument panel-to-body bolt.
- To install, tighten to 7 Nm (62 lb-in).

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37. Remove the bolt from the RH instrument panel.
- To install, tighten to 22 Nm (16 lb-ft).

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38. Remove the RH instrument panel-to-body bolt.
- To install, tighten to 7 Nm (62 lb-in).

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39. NOTICE: To avoid damage to the instrument panel, this step requires the help of an assistant.

NOTICE: Make sure that all electrical connectors and wiring are not hindered before removing the instrument panel or damage to the components may occur.

NOTE: Rotate the instrument panel as necessary to remove the instrument panel from the vehicle.

Remove the instrument panel.

40. NOTICE: To avoid damaging the instrument panel, the aid of an assistant is required when positioning the instrument panel to the vehicle.

NOTICE: Make sure that all electrical connectors and wiring are correctly routed when installing the instrument panel or damage to the components may occur.

To install, reverse the removal procedure.

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Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 11:24 AM

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