I'm working on repainting my whole dash and it's going alright but I hit a snag today.... how do you remove the parking brake release handle? It's the only thing keeping me from ripping out the the lower half of the dash. Oh and one more thing, once/if I get it off, what supports the steering column? I see there's 2 nuts that hold the column to the lower half of the dash, but I'm guess if I undo those I'll get the steering column in the face? Thx in advance
I don't think that the lower half of the dash comes out at all. It is welded in and is a structural part of the cowl. At least it is on A-bodies...
The 71 B-body has a lower plastic skirt where the parking brake handle is. There is a clip on the handle on the back side. You will have to look for it.
There are 4 little "arms" holding that handle to the bracket, you have to push all 4 arms in to release it. If it's getting tricky to push them all 4 in, you can always tighten a small hose clamp over them, with enough space to move the handle back from the bracket. I saw a special tool to do this on the board the other week.
You were right on the money George, I found the clip and the rest looks pretty simple. Though for reference the lower skirt is made of metal, at least on my car anyway, I've got the sliced up knuckles to prove it! As for the lower skirt not being removable, I've managed to get the passenger side unbolted and moving freely, just hope the driver side is the same. Thanks everyone for the help.
Well it's finally off, I'll post some pics once it's painted and reinstalled. Everything went smoothly once the clip was out, only problem I had was the steering column slipping off the jack stand that supported it. Lesson learned, never put your head under a telescopic steering column while unbolting it, I figure the headache should disappear in another hour or two. Thanks again everyone.
