How do I get this panel off?

[jafo9]

I need to pull this panel off so i can fix the 2 broken circuit breakers (the ones where the protective rubber cap has broken off). the little allen head bolts are connected to wing nuts on the back side. the access panel on the under side of the dash is tiny and i can't get to the wing nuts to hold them while i loosen the bolts. even if i could get them off, i'd never be able to get them back on. boat is an 02 X30.

any advice is appreciated.

[CantRepeat]

Unscrew those 4 screws and it will come off.

[02ProstarSammyD]

you have to hold the wing nuts somehow. Mine are pretty easy to hold in an x9 but a long pair of needle nose could help if access is slim.

[jafo9]

seems like a bad design. i can see getting them off with a pair of needle nose pliers. putting them back seems like it would be a lot harder. is there a downside to cutting into the fiberglass on the inside for better access?

[ncsone]

You might try getting something like a nut driver (screwdriver type) and grind a slot in it to fit the wing nuts. Then, put the new 'tool' over the wing nuts on the back and loosen the allen bolts from the front.

Just throwing out ideas...

[02ProstarSammyD]

seems like a bad design. i can see getting them off with a pair of needle nose pliers. putting them back seems like it would be a lot harder. is there a downside to cutting into the fiberglass on the inside for better access?

For me I've never had a problem getting them back on. Its tight but was just able to prop the wingnut until it took a thread or two. Then just hold the wingnut with the needle nose again. You want a real pita try to get your side panel off haha