Hi
pls help
looked at about 100 heater core articles here..

Mine is a '89 350 Trans Am.. I got 3 of the 4 screws out from the heater housing box.... guess i need to get that 1 last top screw.... real PITA

but

All I took off is the r. passenger under neath kick panel
and thin little r passenger front panel...

How do you get at that top 4th srcew WITHOUT taking
the whole dash board out of car ??

On an 1989 TA - do I have to take out the entire dash board and all the other parts as some have said ???

Some people say just get the r speaker out and somehow
squeeze hand under dash board ???

Can I do that ?


Im novice rookie and already spent about 5 hours on this.

I have no clue as to which what screw to undo to take any more parts out of my car to get at this heater core.

HOW DO ya get the dash board - if I have to do it?

I don;t know whee which screw or where to find the corret screws to veen take out to get started ??? Baffled.


Does '89 TA make a difference?

Thanks

 

i know how you feel. i did my heater core about 2 mouths ago. first i got one of the sockets that have a piece sticking out of them so you can grip it with your wrench. put it up to the bolt and used my wrench to unscrew it. very easy if you have the tool you need. if you were in chicago i would help you out. did you take the two heater hoses out. a big pain in the but for me.

 

Try different combos of sockets and extensions. One of them will work. Last year I did the heater core in my 87 GTA. I didn't go down from the top. Didn't remove the dash. Can't remember the combo I used but it won't take you long from the bottom long as you know where that last pesky bolt hides. You can't see it. Try a deep socket with short extensions. Short socket with the same ect ect. One last hint is a larger drive with a reducer but I don't think I did that for the heater core. You will get it.

 

Think i'm screwed cause I don't have many sockets and wrenches at all... I can't see and don't even know WHERE this last screw even is - let alone try feel around for it.

I don't even know how to get the dash board out or other stuff like r speaker - even if I have to.

Anybody have some pics or or steps to which screws and how to take the blocking parts out of way ???

Looks like I'll have to go to dealer and pay 100's $$$ to get this fixed....

It's only been broken for about 2 years now....

These cars have to say reallly suckk especially if ya have to drive them year round during sh*tty hard winters in freezing cold bad snow and ice.... juts like driving a slippery dangerous sled around.... and now NO HEAT

 

I just did mine last weekend on an 86 camaro.I ended up not completely removing the dash but loosening it enough to move it out a good bit.There are anly maybe 6-8 screws and nuts holding it on.The big 4 nuts on all 4 corners,they are obvious and I think maybe 4 more smaller screws on braces on top in the middle.Needless to say you have to remove the dashpad first though.After removing all of those you can move the dash out enough to see what's going on down there.All the wiring and crap will keep it from completely falling out but you can get your hands up in there and see what the heck you are doing.You need to be a bit of a contortionist though...

 

I changed my heater core in about 2 hours with basic hand tools. I only removed the lower dash panels on the passenger side. Look on the new heater core and see where the last bolt is and go from there. If you dont have the proper tools then head over to Sears and buy what you think you need. You shouldnt spend more them $20 for what you need. A rachet, extesnion, socket, and a swival at the most. You will need pliers to remove the factory clamps from the core. They are under the hood just behind the passenger side head. If they get stuck then you may have to cut them off and replace the hose. Auto Zone sells new hoses.This is not a big job though. You just need a few basic hand tools. The same tools you will need to do any other job on your car. Good luck

 

Go ahead and remove the dash pad. It is easy with only the screws under the lip and in the defroster. Just don't drop the screws into the defroster duct. Then, take the right side defroster duct out and you should at least see the screw. Remove the computer if you haven't already. I used a 1/4" drive socket and u-joint. That should help.