Heater control removal

[Nostromo]

Hello,
I would like to get some advice on the removal of the heater controls lever on a Series 2 Fulvia. The top most lever for opening the hot water valve is broken and I have a replacement. The lever works fine, but the molded black plastic tip is broken.
Feeling things out, I was able to remove the simulated wood facia, but to my dismay discovered that the heater control stack would not come out very far from the aperture in the steel panel for me to be able to undo the the lever stack and replace the broken lever. It appears to be restricted by the three control wires connected to it, and the opening is very narrow. I couldn't figure out how to remove the upper padded dash piece thinking that I might be able to access the lever assembly from the top.
Any thoughts on how I could proceed with the repair?
Thanks.

[Ringsy]

Just fitted a new top heater lever.

No need to remove the dashboard, use a very sharp thin blade to cut the remains of the old one off. Mine wasn't glued but it was not possible to just to pull it off.

You need to insert the blade between the flat top or bottom of the metal handle and the old plastic lever and work it left and right to cut through the edges. When you've cut most of it off you should be able to pull off the remainder.

When you push on the new one, use a small amount to Vaseline on the metal part to help it to slide on.