I kinda pulled mine out by leaning it forward then pulling it. it may feel like it break but it shouldn't...TJ

 

I just did this on my 96. I recall 2-3 screws coming out. But the bear was two press-fit pins (flat tabs that fit into a slot) one on each side, toward the dash, on the inside of the housing/clamshell. I could see them if I got down low and pried the halfs open a little. I tried a flat screwdriver, but I could not get them apart, and wound up breaking them both. The clamshell is still off--I guess I could duct tape it back together or something.

Even with that steering column clamshell off, the instrument bezel was still really hard to take off. I thought it would break. But I did manage to bend and pull and it finally came off.

The entire dash assembly I swear was designed by evil retarded monkeys. I wish Lego had designed it.

 

Hey all, Thanks for the replies. The difficulty for me is that it feels like the trim will break and I don't have a spare to replace it with as a backup. the difficulty is that I can't seem to be able to remove the shroud that covers the steering column so I'm stuck trying to make the trim flex its way out. I was able to remove this piece on an 87 since there wasn't much of a shroud so it just took a bit of coaxing out. My 96 has a plastic square shaped shroud that seems to be very much in the way. I will take another look at it this afternoon and see if A) there is a way for me to get that shroud off. and B) if I can convince the trim to come out with the wheel tilted down if I can't get the shroud off.

Thanks again all,
s

 

I've got a 96. I even have a photo of the dash so you can see the plastic part on the steering column that I'm trying to get around.

Thoughts?
s

 

Well I'll be...
I started working on pulling the trim, and I've got to say that you and anyone else who did this has some serious *****. I was able ot get it out successfully and there is no damage to the trim or the dash at all, but man I thought I was past the breaking point on that piece of plastic.

Thanks for the help. Now I'm off to the races .
s

 

Yea that's what I thought also that it was going to break. I have to pull one for a customer off my parts jeep today in the freezing cold so I'm hoping it wont break...Tj