Does any one have experience with removing the dashboard from a 1978-87? I don't mean the instrument panel. I have a squeak from the left side of the dash and have tried to get to the attachment of the dashboard to the firewall but can't see the attachments. Anybody got an idea? :?

The dash pad is not that difficult to remove there are four screws two at each defrost vent and then there are two bolts at the left and right lower corner. Also the bracket at the steering column will need to be un-bolted. There are other points where AC harness and wirings attach to it. But before you tear out the dash look at the AC ducting or other plastic parts that are rubbing together. The noise you are hearing is most likely from one of them not the dash pad. Most of the 78 to 87 El Caminos have the same squeak as yours and it is even more noticeable in the winter when it is cold. Check to see if you notice a difference once the car warms inside if it does check the AC/ heater ducts. Good luck Harald K

My 86 Caballero has developed the same squeak. It happened when I changed out a cracked exhaust manifold on the passenger side of the engine. I cannot understand why the squeak is on the opposite side of the dash. Also, the squeak happens just once in a while and the outside air temperature does not seem to have any impact on when it occurs. When the body weight shifts to the right due to going around a left hand curve in the road, the squeak will stop until I straighten out again.

Harald, I appreciate the tip about the heat and AC tubes rubbing together. If that is the problem, it should be pretty easy to eliminate the squeak. So far, it has proven very difficult to find.

I read this in a hotrod mag. once. Put alittle grease on the rubber stopper in the middle of the rear of the hood. That is one place they do squeek.

You are correct the hood stop does cause a squeak when it gets dry and hard, you may also get some noise from the body bushings. It was pretty cold this morning here in Texas and I noticed mine (83) was squeaking a bit. I had to turn down the radio to hear it clearly but feel pretty sure it is coming from the duct that goes directly behind the instrument cluster to the left side vent. It sounds as though it is either rubbing at a joint or against another part of the dash. Like you all have indicated it does come from the left side of the dash. If I get the time I’m going to remove the lower knee panel and see if I can isolate it a bit more will keep you posted. Harald K #219

1983/SS deep in the heart of Texas

Yup that's what is was, the rubber bumper on the cowl for the hood. It seemed to come from the left dashboard area but it was the little bumper making all that noise. Thanks guys. :D

Thanks for the tips guys. I will grease the hood support and wait to see if the squeak is gone. In my case, the squeak is intermittent; therefore, I will have to wait quite a few days to determine whether or not the squeak is gone. If the grease does not do the trick, I will work on the Air and heat ducts.

Thanks again.

I hope that works for ya. Squeeks can be aggravateing.