Welcome to the Cadillac XLR Forums!

Help! Replacing the Dash Cap Advice/Instructions

cmathews23

Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2024
Messages
20
Location
Texas
My XLR/V(s)
2009 XLR Platinum
Does anyone have experience or guidance on how to replace the dash cap? I have a 2009 Platinum that the leather has shrunk and peeled away from the plastic base. Looks like shit.
Instead of the painstaking BS of trying to fix it (and there are none available for purchase in great shape), I am going to replace my cap with a 2008
cap that is not leather. I have already purchased the replacement cap. I just need to get some advice on the swap out and if anyone has some detailed
instructions on the process....I appreciate any advice.
 
It has been a while since I removed mine but here's what I remember. If you don't have trim removal tools buy some, they are cheap at Harbor freight. You need to carefully remove the A pillar covers, the driver side has the microphone so you will need to remove that. There is a screw at each end, in the door jam area, I think it's behind the plastic trim piece at the end of the dash. I can only remember one other screw and it's behind the center stack face plate next to the right air vent. You need to remove the center console top plate in order to remove the center stack face plate. Then the dash cover is just held in place by some clips and will pop straight up. The light sensor on top of the dash is a little tricky also, just rotate it counter clockwise a half turn and it will drop out but don't let it drop down into the dash, it's a bugger to get out. Ask me how I know. Just take your time and be gentle. I may have forgot something but it will become obvious to you once your in there. Good luck
 
It has been a while since I removed mine but here's what I remember. If you don't have trim removal tools buy some, they are cheap at Harbor freight. You need to carefully remove the A pillar covers, the driver side has the microphone so you will need to remove that. There is a screw at each end, in the door jam area, I think it's behind the plastic trim piece at the end of the dash. I can only remember one other screw and it's behind the center stack face plate next to the right air vent. You need to remove the center console top plate in order to remove the center stack face plate. Then the dash cover is just held in place by some clips and will pop straight up. The light sensor on top of the dash is a little tricky also, just rotate it counter clockwise a half turn and it will drop out but don't let it drop down into the dash, it's a bugger to get out. Ask me how I know. Just take your time and be gentle. I may have forgot something but it will become obvious to you once your in there. Good luck
Thank you, this is great guidance. Much appreciated.
 
It has been a while since I removed mine but here's what I remember. If you don't have trim removal tools buy some, they are cheap at Harbor freight. You need to carefully remove the A pillar covers, the driver side has the microphone so you will need to remove that. There is a screw at each end, in the door jam area, I think it's behind the plastic trim piece at the end of the dash. I can only remember one other screw and it's behind the center stack face plate next to the right air vent. You need to remove the center console top plate in order to remove the center stack face plate. Then the dash cover is just held in place by some clips and will pop straight up. The light sensor on top of the dash is a little tricky also, just rotate it counter clockwise a half turn and it will drop out but don't let it drop down into the dash, it's a bugger to get out. Ask me how I know. Just take your time and be gentle. I may have forgot something but it will become obvious to you once your in there. Good luck
Question.......Does the Center Console Top Place and the Center Stack Face Plate have screws anywhere or do they just pop off?
 
I offered to help also but you never emailed me.
Each step has its on section and requires several uploads that i find to hard to do here. Good luck. Its just nuts and bolts
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20250520_134222.jpg
    IMG_20250520_134222.jpg
    584 KB · Views: 4
No screws, but you need to move the shifter to neutral and use the trim tools to lift the top plate on the console just far enough to remove the center stack face plate.
 

Cadillac XLR Forums

Not a member?  Join now!  It's Free!

Learn more about Supporting Membership

Win 2 Supercharged Cadillacs!

Win both supercharged Cadillac Vs!

Supporting Vendors

Top Hydraulics

Cadillac XLR Registry

Click here to enter the official Cadillac XLR and XLR-V Registry
Back
Top Bottom