How hard to install new instrment panel garnish
 

How hard is it to remove the original instrument panel surround garnish (the dark silver plastic bezel type garnish surrounding the entire gauge and switch cluster), and then install a new replacement plastic garnish on the instrument panel? I'm talking about the plastic bezel that frames the entire panel. My car is a MY 03 ap1. The original garnish/surround has a couple of small dings/marks right in my field of view and its driving my up the wall. If its an easy fix I'll do it. If not, I'll live with it as is.

See https://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com...ZC1tYW51YWw%3D.

I'll bet there's a photo essay in the Library on how to remove the instrument panel. I recall seeing one in relation to the more exotic Q-something LED arrangement whereby the tach color band can be different at specific RPM ranges and several other options. Quick glance at the service manual shows the whole thing, panel and garnish, coming out in one piece and then (I assume) the panel and garnish can be separated. The garnish is model year dependent and is Black on my '06 so no annoying scratches show. Touch up paint? You can always change the garnish if you can't match it.

-- Chuck

Thanks Chuck - I'll check around. There is a You tube video by a guy changing a bulb in behind there. He pulled the steering wheel and after watching that I'm going to skip it unless there is another way. But yes, once I figure out how much is involved I may try to mask/repair/repaint it somehow and then replace it only if that does not work. Maybe a good detail guy could do something.

Did you want to remove just the bezel or the display cluster as well? I removed both from my 2006 a couple years ago to replace some backlighting, much easier to loosen the two bolts that hold the steering column in place and lower it about an inch than to remove the wheel. I found the DIY somewhere within these pages.

Just the bezel - I want to remove the bezel and replace it for new. Purely a cosmetic issue. And minor at that. If its just a matter of popping off some clips and putting on the new one I'll do it. Otherwise, maybe not.

Very helpful instructions on this page. Looks like you can just lower the steering wheel easily. But, the radio control unit, the start button and the heater control unit etc all have to be removed from the old bezel and then reinstalled in the new bezel. Certainly doable. Not that big a deal. But, will I break stuff in the process? I think I may do this - but not until I have a time to go slow and be very careful. Thanks for the input everyone. I now have a good idea what is involved. This will go on my list of projects to do when there is time. I may pick up a new replacement bezel now, just to be sure that aren't discontinued or something.

Hopefully you replaced with an AP2 unit. They fit the same except the AP2 unit has a nice matte black finish that adds a modern element to the car.

A few screws under bottom part of top bezel. A few bolts under steering column but not remove completely, just enough to drop steering Column down so you can pull out bezel. There’s a screw on the right side by heater control when pulling out the bezel helds with clips. It’s pretty easy. Just tedious with being how small the s2000 is to work inside