removal of pad under steering wheel (fed)

[Lotus54]

I searched this, but couldn't find it.

How does the pad under the steering wheel come off? This is a California federal car, if that matters.

I feel dumb, but figured I'd ask before I broke something...

Mark

[nsr250]

There are two long studs mounted to the backside of the pad. One on each side of the column. The nuts need to be removed. Then the pad can be pulled from the bottom slightly and then down to detach the clips at the top. The bottom nuts are VERY hard to get to especially the first time you try it. Be prepared, you will get very frustrated. They are hard to find and even harder to work on.

[steve matthews]

You must push the seat all the way back or some have removed it.
This allows better access to those two nuts.
The position you will contort your body into is known as the Lotus position.
Steve

[DeanG]

Doing this job was horrible. I had to remove the seat. I could only see one of the nuts. Removing one nut was a 1/2 flat at a time job.

Wear a mask, some old foam insulation fell in my mouth while I was taking a breath - thought I was going to die in my own vomit.

The picture should help. Good luck.

[esprit888]

Assume the lotus position with a flashlight, 10mm (or was it 7/16) deep socket and a 12 inch extension, even then its still a real pig as its more by feel than by what you can see.

I searched this, but couldn't find it.

How does the pad under the steering wheel come off? This is a California federal car, if that matters.

I feel dumb, but figured I'd ask before I broke something...

Mark

[GoM100Go]

They are actually very easy to find and remove. Just feel around the area under the pad that it's attached too. No need to see anything. The nuts on mine were actually only tightened to finger torque. I ended up hand tightening them back as well, so if ever I need to remove it again,it will be as easy. I also re-painted the pad on mine to charcoal gray to match the rest of the interior. I will post a pic as soon as I take one. It makes the interior look more finished, the black pad always looked put of place.

-James