How do I disconnect heater controls?

[JDExSquid]

I have an 81 w/o AC that I'm restoring and I have the dash completely disconnected except for the heater controls. How do I easily remove them without tearing the crap out of them?

Rust sucks
Jim

 

[pyrraxis]

If you have a dental pick or a soldering tool (the one that has a pointy end and a flat angled screwdriver-looking tip on the other end) you can use that to GENTLY pry the handles off their posts. Lift just enough to get it free from the lock-tab and then pull them out. Helps if it's warm in the garage, too. The cold makes them even more brittle...

 

[kungfuty]

If there is an easier solution

i would like to know about it but for the past 2 dash replacements i disconnected the control cables at the opposite end NOT at the control head. I have found this method alot easier to deal with then with trying to undo the cables from the levers which i have done before as well but if not careful you can break the plastic unit.

Mine is a 86 so it is the same controls.

 

[JDExSquid]

Thanks! Got it.

nt