Is this possible?

I am putting my Cuda interior back together and I simply cannot get the top inner screws installed. In trying, I have lost about 3 screws/washers inside the pad itself and spent a couple of hours with no success.

If it is NOT possible or probable are there any onsite Windshield companies you trust with your Mopar? I had considered replacing the windshield anyway.

-Steve

I've taken many of them in and out with the windows in.

Any tips you can share?

Did you install the top screws with your head inside or outside the car? My arms can't reach the middle screws and so my head is inside the car and I can't see the holes or I have to use a mirror on the outside and I'm not coordinated enough to work in reverse!

Got to make sure the speed nuts didn't move off of the holes when landing the dash in.

I did it all from inside of the car.

Thanks for the reply.

They are still there and the dash closely aligns with them. It takes a little pressure to get the holes to line up but I can't figure out how to hold up the dash and magically drop those top screws into place.

A magnet is your friend here and probably another set of eyes on the outside looking in to guide you.

Sheldon

Magnet is a great idea. I will try again tomorrow with a magnetized socket of some kind and an arm I can use to try to get the bolt started. A second person to hold up the dash for me and maybe I can do it without removing the windshield.

Thanks all for the help and suggestions. Now that I know it is possible I will give it another shot.

-Steve

Use a magnet. I have one of those matco extending ones. Works great. Use a small awl or screw driver to line it up.

On mine, I put an awl in one hole to line it up and take some of the weight off. With the awl holding it in place, I used a universal joint socket on an extension to start the other screw. Once it had some of the weight, pulled the awl out and started the other screw.
Even though the holes lined up, there is enough flex and the weight of the dash pulling, it is hard to start those screws. It is way easier to do it with the windshield out but it is doable with it in. Extra eyes and arms are a real plus.
Craig

I used 1/4 inch drive with a swivel and blacktaped the screw to the socket, once caught i removed the tape

Another great idea! Today is Lacrosse day for my son so Sunday I can rig up my 1/4"-Universal-magnetized-taped-arm for the screws! I'm not losing any more of those screws this weekend!

Thanks all for the confidence and support.

Yup, you can do it, I've done it a few times. If you really are having trouble a new windshield is only about $150 plus install but you should be able to get it without that drastic measure.

Sheldon

Finished!Thank you everyone who helped me.

There were three or four tips from you guys that made it work. I would probably be taking out the windshield right now if you guys hadn't gave me some hope. These are the three tips that was most helpful:

1) I taped the bolt to the socket before I attempted to start the bolt. I never lost a bolt and after a few threads, I could just pull the socket with the tape.
2) I used a nail set as an alignment pin to get the alignment closer so less force was needed to left the dash into place
3) I used a flexible magnetic arm to retrieve anything that came loose.

1/4" Universal Joint, the taped socket and a 3" extension was long enough for me to get the bolts started with my fingers. Once I get it started, I could pull the socket out and use a longer extension and a socket wrench to tighten the bolts up.

My interior is almost done now. Connecting the wires now and then I will probably go ahead and bolt down the seats and start installing the panels again.

Thanks again all.

Great news. The more of these cars we get back on the road the better.

Sheldon