← 2108-09
Autopapyrus · Lada 2108-09 (1st generation, Samara)
https://autopapyrus.com/guides/lada/2108-09/removing-the-dashboard-instrument-panel/
Compiled automatically from service literature and owner experience. Specs are for the typical configuration — check them against your exact car before you start.

Lada 2108-09 (1st generation, Samara): Removing the Dashboard (Instrument Panel)

The instrument panel (dashboard) on the Samara is held to the body by self-tapping screws and bolts, so it is removed as one piece together with its covers. The job does not depend on the 1.5 16V engine. The main difficulty is not missing any hidden screws and carefully disconnecting the wiring harnesses and heater cables. Twenty-year-old plastic is brittle, so work gently.

Difficulty: Hard Time: 3-5 hours Steps: 12

Parts

5
№Part
01 Plastic panel retaining clipsoften need replacing during the job
02 Panel retaining self-tapping screwsoften need replacing during the job
03 Panel-to-windshield sealoften needs replacing during the job
04 Heater control cablesif worn
05 Heater control knobsif worn

Tools

7
  • Phillips and flat screwdriver set
  • 8 mm
  • 10 mm and 13 mm wrenches and sockets
  • pliers
  • plastic trim removal tools
  • small boxes or bags for fasteners and a marker
  • flashlight

Step by step

12 steps
  1. Park the car on level ground, set the parking brake and open the doors. Disconnect the negative battery terminal and wait a few minutes. This prevents circuits from being triggered and avoids damaging the electronics when you unplug connectors.
  2. Remove the steering column covers. Unscrew the screws of the lower and upper steering column shrouds and remove them. If the column stalk switches are in the way, remove them too. You usually do not need to remove the steering wheel. If you do remove it, mark the position of the wheel relative to the shaft. Tighten the nut to about 30-50 N·m (22-37 lb-ft) (check the exact value in the service manual).
  3. Remove the instrument cluster. Unscrew the screws holding its trim, pull out the cluster, and disconnect the harness connectors, the speedometer drive connector or sensor, and the pneumatic and electrical lines, if present. Remember or photograph how everything is connected.
  4. Remove the radio and/or the blanking plate of the radio opening. Disconnect the power, antenna and speakers. Remove the center console or the heater control panel trim, if it is a separate piece.
  5. Remove the heater control levers. To do this, pull the knobs off the levers, unscrew the control panel trim screws and move the trim aside. Disconnect the damper cables from the levers (remember their positions) and the illumination connector.
  6. Remove the glove box and the lower trim under the panel. Unscrew the glove box mounting screws and disconnect the illumination lamp, if there is one. This opens up access to the lower mounting points of the panel.
  7. Remove the shift knob and shift lever boot, and the parking brake lever trim. If the center tunnel covers the panel mounting points, remove the tunnel trim.
  8. Disconnect the side window defroster ducts and the windshield defroster grilles. Remove the pillar trim panels. Some of the panel mounting screws are hidden under these trim panels and grilles.
  9. Find and remove all the panel mounting screws and bolts. They are at the top by the windshield, on the sides by the pillars, at the bottom by the tunnel, and around the fuse box. Some fasteners are hidden under plugs, so inspect carefully. Before this, photograph the routing of the harnesses and pull the fuses out of the fuse box if it is mounted on the panel. Sort the fasteners into groups.
  10. Disconnect the remaining wiring harnesses from the panel: to the cigarette lighter, switches, illumination and the fuse box. Release the connector latches and label the connectors with a marker. Do not pull on the wires, only on the connectors.
  11. Carefully pull the panel toward you, supporting it on both sides. Check that nothing is snagging: cables, harnesses and ducts. If the panel does not come free, a screw has been missed. Do not use force and do not pry the panel with a screwdriver.
  12. Take the panel out of the cabin. For installation, work in reverse order: first assemble and secure the panel, then connect the harnesses and cables. Before final assembly, reconnect the battery and check the gauges, turn signals, heating, heater fan, lights and radio. After the check, secure all the trim.

Common mistakes and warnings

  • Always disconnect the battery before unplugging any harnesses, otherwise there is a risk of a short circuit in the vehicle's electrical system
  • This model does not have a steering wheel airbag or other airbags, but when removing the steering column do not disturb the position of the shaft
  • If you have no experience working with plastic interior parts and wiring, it is better to leave the job to a repair shop