Hello,

You can install the plastic covers without removing the dashboard.

But I think the look and the fit of the plastic covers is awful and not worth the time.

If you want to cover up the cracks, get a carpeted dash cover.

IMO, the carpeted dash covers look nicer and install a lot easier.

If you want to spend the money on proper reproduction dash pads the complete removal of the entire dashboard is required.

The dashboard is made of 2 pieces that have to be separated outside the car to properly install new pads.

The dashboard is held by the screws under the dash that you saw and by 4 bolts, 2 on each side that are near the doors.

You will also have to remove the brackets that hold the steering column to the underside of the dash, along with the steering wheel and steering column bezel.

FYI, the defroster vents are not plastic, but are metal and welded to the underside of the upper dash half.

The 4 pieces of metal on top of the dash are just trim bezels for the defroster openings.
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Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502