Climate control buttons - sunk into panel

[rmchrgr]

I have two issues I'd like to tackle. As the pic below shows, my climate control buttons have sunk into the dash panel. I can't pull them out with fingers or implements, just not gonna happen. Clearly, the panel needs to come off but I'm not sure how to proceed. I tried to get the radio dials off but they were not just popping off easily and I don't want to break them. I see there's a nut holding the dial stud on but to get to it the dials need to come off first. Also, looks like there's two screws above the ashtray that may ohold the battom of the panel to the dash but I'm not sure they attach to the bottom of the panel or not

Then there's the issue of cable adjustment - the buttons were never easy to push in to begin with and the blend door seems to be open all the time blowing hot air on to my feet. As I understand it, there's cables that allow adjustment of this stuff. Does the under dash A/C vent need to come off too to get to the cables?

So can anyone provide any tips for me so I can get the controls back in their proper place and get the system working correctly? This is a '71 Dart with A/C, non rallye dash.


Thanks,

Greg

 

[BWDart]

Mine just did the same thing last week the back of the vac control broke off, you will need a new unit. It comes off with two nuts on the back side of the dash real hard to get to. I have a removeable dash pad makes it very easy.
PM me if you need some help
Bruce

 

[rmchrgr]

Probably cant get to those nuts with the A/C vent there, correct? Sounds like a pain in the ***.