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451 Upper Dash Removal
Remove the upper part of the dashboard
 Removing The Upper Dash

Should you ever want to get your dashboard recovered in leather or just fit a Brabus dash as I did, you will need to remove the top part of the dashboard. It's time consuming but not overly hard. You should disconnect the battery before attempting this as later on you will be moving the airbag.

This is for a right hand drive smart 451, the left hand drive version should be very similar.

Remove the stereo surround and stereo and remove the pods if you have them.
Using a Torx10 screwdriver, remove the 4 screws shown below.



The centre part will lift free, don't pull it too far though.



Remove the side vents by pulling forwards and lifting out.


The centre controller has 3 connections to it. Pinch the 2 ends and pull to release this one.

Push in the tabs and swing the levers over to remove the other 2 connections.
It is worth noting that your car will not start if this module isn't plugged in.

Look at the back and pull the cable out of its holder. If you pull the unit too far out of the dash,
the cable will disconnect from behind the dash. This is very hard to reconnect so be careful.

Lift the front of the side dash vent up and pull them forwards to remove.

Remove the Torx25 screw you find underneath.

Remove the speedo by pulling it forwards, disconnect the wiring from the back.

Next to the speedo under the front lip of the dash is a plastic pin and insert, pull it out.

Same thing on the other side, pull this out too. (pin and insert).

In the glovebox area are another 2 pins and inserts that need removing.

Look to the side from where the speedo was removed and remove the Torx25 screw.

Remove the dash sides, remove the lower dash and also remove the glovebox insert.
The airbag is held to the dash with 4x 10mm nuts, you will need long reach socket to get them off.
The 2 front fixings are shown below, there are 2 similar fixings at the back of the airbag.

Then remove the 2x Torx45 bolts from the lower frames (circled below).

The airbag will now lower down. Do not disconnect it and don't mess with it.

The front of the dash should lift up and you can then slide it towards you to remove it.

On refitting, take a look at the back edge of the dash and where it will sit under the windscreen.
There are a pair of clips that slot in place. When they are clipped in properly you will be unable
to lift the sides of the dash upwards. Take your time getting into fitted correctly.

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