Originally Posted by spender

I just replaced the plastic bezel on my navigation screen in my 04 LS430 last night, and I had three little tips I wanted to share with the Lexus community that I think will make your lives easier, if you ever need to get into the center bezel for any reason, whether to install a Lockpick, a Vaistech, or just like me, to replace a scratched bezel.

Here they are:

1. To remove the driver/passenger temperature buttons, it's easiest to use a hook tool, like the one that is second from the right below.



Just dip the point in slightly behind the top of each button, make sure you're on the "lip" (see pictures below), and give it a pull. These now come out in seconds rather than the longer time some posters have mentioned.



2. When taking out the screws behind the temperature switches, to remove them I used a magnetic probe right under my socket screwdriver to ensure that when they were out, they would get caught immediately by the magnetic. Also, to reattach, I used that blue poster putty stuff (buy it at Staples or any office store) inside the socket head to give a secure hold on the bolts.

3. Use microfibre towels to cover everything, and stuff them in various holes to prevent anything from falling too far if you drop it! Good for peace of mind.

Finally, it took me a little under an hour to get everything disassembled and reassembled. For those of you on the fence, although it feels a little scary to be taking your expensive precision toy apart, it's not as hard as it looks (assuming you have tinkered with cars before), and just do it!