90q20v removal of wood dash trim

[kf21857 at comcast.net]

I need to get access to the rear of the climate control panel on my 90q20v to trace a missing vacuum hose.  The Bentley says to pry the wood panel loose with a screwdriver.  The finish already has a crack in it and I am worried about damaging the wood.  Does anybody have any advice on this?  It looks like if I pull the CD player out it might make it easier to get something behind the trim plate from the top edge.  How about the trim around the gauge cluster above the ashtray?  Does it pop off the same way?
thanks,
Dave