Heater Core Removal/Installation
#1
Heater Core Removal/Installation
I am posting this for the next poor soul who will have to replace a heater core in a '99 Dodge Durango SLT.
I am half way through. Everything is taken out and I am in the process of cleaning out the ac/heat housing.
The first problem I ran into was disconnecting the cruise control plugs to remove the steering wheel. The Haynes
manual was no help and I ended up cutting them with enough slack on each end to solder & heat shrink when
I install the steering wheel.
The 2nd problem was worse, I could not find the 4th threaded stud that goes through the fire wall and holds
the ac/heat housing in. (it was lower than the others & behind the tranny fluid tube) I was quite frustrated
and in the end I broke the housing in 3 places. I plan on using some strong epoxy and start putting
everything back together. I hope this helps, feel free to contact me for more info.
I am half way through. Everything is taken out and I am in the process of cleaning out the ac/heat housing.
The first problem I ran into was disconnecting the cruise control plugs to remove the steering wheel. The Haynes
manual was no help and I ended up cutting them with enough slack on each end to solder & heat shrink when
I install the steering wheel.
The 2nd problem was worse, I could not find the 4th threaded stud that goes through the fire wall and holds
the ac/heat housing in. (it was lower than the others & behind the tranny fluid tube) I was quite frustrated
and in the end I broke the housing in 3 places. I plan on using some strong epoxy and start putting
everything back together. I hope this helps, feel free to contact me for more info.
#2
#3
RE: Heater Core Removal/Installation
Post #1
I need to replace my heater core, some things I read said to remove freon some say you don't have too. Plus they talk about removing the dash (is that the whole dash?) Can anyone that has done this please tell me were to start and do I have to take out the hole dash? How do I do that?
I need to replace my heater core, some things I read said to remove freon some say you don't have too. Plus they talk about removing the dash (is that the whole dash?) Can anyone that has done this please tell me were to start and do I have to take out the hole dash? How do I do that?
#4
RE: Heater Core Removal/Installation
ORIGINAL: mscot77
Post #1
I need to replace my heater core, some things I read said to remove freon some say you don't have too. Plus they talk about removing the dash (is that the whole dash?) Can anyone that has done this please tell me were to start and do I have to take out the hole dash? How do I do that?
Post #1
I need to replace my heater core, some things I read said to remove freon some say you don't have too. Plus they talk about removing the dash (is that the whole dash?) Can anyone that has done this please tell me were to start and do I have to take out the hole dash? How do I do that?
#5
RE: Heater Core Removal/Installation
This post saved me. I got my dash all pulled out and trying to find a problem with the a/c system. The nuts on the outside of the firewall are kinda hard to see at first, especally that forth one. A third nut is covered by a heater hose support bracket thats screwed onto the same stud. When removing the dash i didnt have to pull out the airbags or the steering wheel. With the steering wheel i just removed a few nuts holding it up and let it drop to the driver seat. If you do it this way though you cant take the whole dash out. You just gotta move it aside because you still have a wireing harness going to the steering wheel that i didnt wanna toy with. I had to remove every inst. from my dash so i might be posting more once im able to put this thing back together. Behind the dash you can get to the air box. The airbox contains the heater core, the a/c's evap core, and the blower motor. I had to remove my a/c's expansion core which is a little metal block on the engine side of the firewall to be able to pull the air box. You also have to disocnnect the heater hoses.
a few pics of everything pulled apart
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...p;id=500020314
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...p;id=500020314
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...p;id=500020314
a few pics of everything pulled apart
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...p;id=500020314
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...p;id=500020314
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...p;id=500020314
#6
RE: Heater Core Removal/Installation
I replaced my heater core last November. The whole dash will have to come out. The steering wheel can just drop down, be sure to unhook all harnesses. I did break loose the A/C lines right where they go into the firewall, had to get a vaccum pulled and recharged ($60 at a local A/C guy). I had all the right tools, and a factory service manual, and it still took me about 12 hours (had a time getting the fan off). Oh, yeah, be sure to keep the fan and clutch vertical--has a fluid clutch and according to the manual laying it down will damage it.
I WILL NEVER do this again, TAKE IT TO A SHOP!!!
I WILL NEVER do this again, TAKE IT TO A SHOP!!!