Dash Knob Nuts?

[mollysjeep]

I am replacing the dash and can't remove the light switch and windshield washer switch. Do they unscrew somehow? I don't want to force them. Also, I need to remove the turn signal arm and tilt arm from the column, do they unscrew or do I have to remove the cover (already removed steering wheel). thanks.

[CJ7Taz]

The knob on the headlight switch does not come off of the shaft, the shaft comes out of the switch. Pull the knob all the way out and then release it. Feel around on the side of the switch opposite the connector plug and you will find a button. While holding the button pressed in, pull on the knob. Sometimes you need to push the knob back in just a little for the button to press. Once you have removed the shaft you can press it back in to turn the headlights off. Just don’t press hard or it will latch again.

The knob on the wiper switch pulls off. Sometimes it will pull of easy, I’m guessing it didn’t for you. At the bottom of the knob is metal ring that goes around the shaft, it is part of a spring that holds it at an angle to grab the shaft. Somewhere around the base of the knob, you should see a small notch. That is the low point of the spring. Using a small screwdriver, press the metal ring away from the dash. Now you can pull on the knob and it should start moving. You may have to keep the ring pressed toward the knob the whole way. Unfortunately, this is one of those things that only makes sense once you have the knob off and can see it. If you have have removed the knob on your fan switch, it is the same.

[mollysjeep]

Perfect. Got them off. Now how about the turn signal and tilt arms on the steering column. How do I get these off so I can put the new dash back on. Steering wheel is already off.

[CJ7Taz]

I pulled the entire column to replace the dash. It’s pretty easy. There are 4 bolts under the dash, leave them until last. There is a U-joint at the bottom of the column. Pull the bolt all the way out, it fits in a groove and the U-joint won’t come off without pulling the bolt completely out. There are 3 bolts where the column goes through the firewall. Don’t forget to unplug the electrical connectors.

I don’t really remember on the signal lever. I think it has a screw inside the column that holds it to the switch assembly. The hard part is removing the retainer ring. You need a special tool.