How To Remove Liner From Summit XM Glove Box
Removing the internal liner from a Ski-Doo Summit XM snowmobile glove box requires careful navigation of hidden plastic expansion rivets, tight dashboard tolerances, and cold-weather plastic flexibility thresholds. By utilizing the correct trim removal tools and maintaining an ambient workspace temperature above 20 degrees Celsius, you can safely extract the liner without fracturing the surrounding console cowlings or dash plastic.
Pre-Operation & Planning for Summit XM Glove Box Removal
Executing a clean liner extraction on a REV-XM platform chassis demands respect for cold-form injection-molded plastics. When snowmobiles sit in unheated storage or operate in sub-zero environments, the TPO (Thermoplastic Olefin) and polypropylene compounds lose their inherent plasticizer flexibility, making them highly susceptible to brittle fracturing. Proper workspace preparation eliminates these structural failures.
- Essential Tools and Materials: Non-marring nylon trim removal wedge set, T20 and T25 Torx drivers, a right-angle 90-degree pick tool, a 1/4-inch drive ratchet with an extension, an industrial heat gun or hair dryer for warming cold plastic, and clean microfiber towels.
- Prerequisite Knowledge: Familiarity with Ski-Doo push-pin rivet mechanics, specifically the dual-stage center-pin locking design utilized across the XM platform console panels.
- Time and Budget Benchmarks: Estimated completion time ranges between 20 to 40 minutes for first-time operators; budget zero financial cost if hand tools are already available, or under twenty dollars for replacement nylon push-pins.
Step-by-Step Procedure to Extract the Glove Box Liner
Step 1: Disconnect Power and Access the Console Area
Begin by ensuring the snowmobile is parked on a flat, stable surface with the safety lanyard detached. Open the glove box lid to inspect the interior storage cavity. If your Summit XM is equipped with the optional glove box extension, integrated windshield accessory bag, or heated visor plug-in kit wired inside or near the console, carefully disconnect all electrical harnesses and auxiliary mounts before proceeding.
Warning: Never force or yank wiring connected to the auxiliary 12V outlet or RCA heated shield plug located inside the upper dash cluster. Disconnect the spade terminals or push-lock weather pack connectors from behind the panel to prevent pulling wiring out of the voltage regulator harness.
Step 2: Locate and Remove Fasteners and Push-Pins
Examine the perimeter of the glove box opening and the lower lip where the liner interfaces with the upper steering console plastic. Remove any visible T20 Torx screws securing the upper console trim or the glove box hinge assembly. Next, identify the plastic push-pin rivets securing the inner liner walls to the outer console frame. Use a 90-degree pick tool or the tip of a flathead screwdriver to gently pop the center head of each rivet outward by approximately 1/4 inch, then pull the entire rivet body straight out of its mounting hole.
Pro-Tip: If the garage or shop temperature is below 15 degrees Celsius, use a heat gun on its lowest setting to gently warm the plastic push-pins and surrounding console flange. Warming the material restores molecular pliability and prevents the brittle plastic locking tabs from shearing off.
Step 3: Release Hidden Interlocking Plastic Tabs
The Summit XM glove box liner relies on a series of molded interference fit tabs and pressure lips that clip directly into the gauge cluster and handlebar support casting. Insert a flat nylon trim wedge between the upper lip of the glove box liner and the outer dash console. Gently pry downward and inward while rocking the liner back and forth. Listen for the distinct snapping sound of the plastic locking clips disengaging from their receiver slots on the console frame.
Step 4: Extract the Liner From the Dash Cavity
Once all perimeter fasteners, electrical connections, and friction tabs are unseated, maneuver the glove box liner out through the main opening. Rotate the front edge of the liner downward toward the handlebars while lifting the rear edge up and out of the dash cavity. Take your time navigating the deeper rear corners of the liner past the steering post support bracket and brake fluid reservoir clearance zone. Inspect the empty console cavity for accumulated trail debris, leaf litter, or moisture before installing a replacement or modified liner.
Summit Racing SUM-RP70071 Summit Racing™ Glove Box Liners | Summit Racing
Summit XM Console Fastener and Material Specifications
| Component Parameter | Specification Detail | Material Composition | Service Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Console Push-Pin Rivets | 6.3mm Head / 20mm Shaft | Nylon / Polypropylene | Replace if center pin is stripped |
| Glove Box Mounting Screws | T20 Torx Self-Tapping | Zinc-Plated Steel | Torque to 1.5 - 2.0 Nm Max |
| Dash Console Surrounds | REV-XM Injection Molded | TPO Plastic Alloy | Minimum working temp: 20°C |
| Liner Sealing Gasket | Closed-Cell Foam Tape | EPDM Rubber | Replace if compressed or torn |
Troubleshooting Common Removal Obstacles
- Root Cause: A plastic push-pin center core spins in place without backing out when turned with a tool.
- Actionable Fix: Wedge the flat blade of a pocket knife or a trim removal tool underneath the head of the rivet to apply light outward tension while simultaneously backing out the center pin with a screwdriver.
- Root Cause: The plastic liner cracks or chips along the upper mounting flange due to extreme cold.
- Actionable Fix: Stop pulling immediately. Apply localized heat via a heat gun until the plastic softens, then reinforce the back side of the crack using plastic welding rods or structural epoxy before completing the removal.
- Root Cause: The liner remains tightly bound in the center dash even after all visible fasteners and pins are removed.
- Actionable Fix: Check for forgotten secondary fasteners hidden underneath the speedometer gauge cluster housing or deep inside the rear corners of the storage bin floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove the glove box liner without taking off the windshield?
On most standard Ski-Doo Summit XM configurations, you can extract the glove box liner without removing the windshield, provided you use low-profile tools. However, tall windshields or aftermarket accessory mounts can block the removal angle of the liner, requiring the removal of four windshield screws to gain clear workspace clearance.
Are the plastic push-pin rivets reusable after removal?
Yes, provided they are extracted correctly without shearing the expansion legs. To reuse them, push the center pin back through the rivet body until it protrudes outward, insert the rivet into the mounting hole, and press the center pin flush to lock it into place.
Why is my new or old liner so difficult to snap back into the dash?
Cold temperatures cause thermoplastic components to shrink slightly and harden. Warm the liner and the console opening with a space heater or heat gun prior to reinstallation, and ensure all wiring harnesses are routed cleanly behind the liner walls to prevent pinching.
What should I do if a mounting tab breaks off the console during extraction?
If a secondary alignment tab snaps, you can safely secure the liner using structural plastic adhesive or by adding a small backing washer beneath a nearby push-pin rivet to restore clamping pressure and prevent rattling on the trail.
Master your Ski-Doo Summit XM maintenance routines with precision factory techniques and keep your snowmobile performing at its absolute peak all winter long.
