Lotus 2004 Eleven Service Notes page 85

Lotus Service Notes
BR.16 - INSTRUMENT BINNACLE & DASH PANEL
The dash panel comprises interlinking alloy extrusions which join the chassis scuttle beam to the base of
the windscreen pillars, and also provide a mounting for the fascia top trip panel. The lowermost extrusion,
which incorporates a curved shelf, is keyed into a slot in the scuttle beam and is secured by rivets at each end
to the beam. On non-airbag cars, two interlinking extrusions are joined by self tapping screws to form the top
part of the dash panel, which is divided into two sections by the steering column. This upper dash is used to
house the face level vents and audio set. On airbag cars, the two upper extrusions are combined into a single
extrusion, which profile and function is similar to non-airbag cars, and which bridges the steering column area
and includes an aperture through which the passenger airbag is deployed.
The upper extrusion(s) slots behind the top edge of the lower dash, and is secured at each end by two
screws to threaded inserts in the base of the windscreen pillars. Additional location is provided by rivets
securing the speaker or door sill trim panel mounting brackets.
On non-airbag cars, a skinned foam fascia top panel, trimmed with suede material, joins the top of the
dash to the base of the windscreen and incorporates the demist ducting and four windscreen outlet vents, with
a moulded plastic capping panel around the front of the fascia top and surrounding the vents. At each end of
the fascia, a moulded plastic panel joins the fascia to the door sill finisher, and is used to mount the front
speakers and lighting switches.
On airbag cars, the untrimmed skinned foam panel incorporates the ducting to the six fixed demist outlet
vents, and also houses the front speakers. The face level vent outlets are housed in the moulded plastic
panels joining the fascia to the door sill finishers and in a central moulding also housing the audio set.
For access to the climate controls, or electrical components mounted on top of the chassis scuttle beam,
the fascia top panel must be removed.
To Remove Fascia Top Panel - non airbag cars
1. Remove the steering column upper and
lower shrouds:
- Remove the four screws securing the
shroud upper section.
- Pull out the grommet from around the
ignition switch and remove the three
screws securing the lower
shroud to the column.
- Disconnect the trip reset button from
the lower shroud.
(Parts List 14.10, 14.05, 14.05b)
Lower shroud
mounting
bracket
Column lower
shroud
Section BR
Column upper shroud
b258a
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