Removal-- knee pad below steering wheel

[lotusrepair]

I am trying to get the pad off on my LHD car. I know there are clips at the top that hold it on but getting the bottom to release is the issue. The manual says there are bolts but feeling up inside I can not find them. I can't get past the relay cluster to feel above it. How do i get the pad to come off?

Chris

[John_W]

This thread might help.

[GeoffSmith]

I found the best way was to take the seat out… read the effing knee bolster thread.

[Brit-Car-Nut]

I am trying to get the pad off on my LHD car. I know there are clips at the top that hold it on but getting the bottom to release is the issue. The manual says there are bolts but feeling up inside I can not find them. I can't get past the relay cluster to feel above it. How do i get the pad to come off?

Chris

Chris, They are really studs with M6 nuts and washers on them.

You need to feel around to find them and then use a M10 DEEP 1/4inch drive socket & ratchet to 1/4 turn at a time wear your arms out removing them. (I learned the hard way - I got a nice and small 1/4 drive air ratchet and that removed 90% of the pain.

Remember, once you have removed the two nuts/washers, you need to pull the bolster slightly upward and toward the back of the car to release the clips. They are tempered and will break if you pull downward while you are pulling rearward.

I had some pictures, so I am looking to see where I stored them. I will post them when I find them.

[lotusrepair]

I was hoping that removal of the pad would give me better access to the area behind it. Looks like that is not the case. I gather that since this was not offered on the cars not in the USA that the area behind it is solid.

I believe the vac tank is up under there somewhere. I need to get to the vac lines.

Chris

[Brit-Car-Nut]

I was hoping that removal of the pad would give me better access to the area behind it. Looks like that is not the case. I gather that since this was not offered on the cars not in the USA that the area behind it is solid.

I believe the vac tank is up under there somewhere. I need to get to the vac lines.

Chris

It isn't "solid" behind the knee bolster, but there isn't much room to do anything. I replaced my steering column with a UK / adjustable one and used a European lower dash cover instead of the block of vinyl.

The vacuum pod is behind the LH wheel arch liner, so you need to remove it to service the hoses and possibly the tank/pod itself. It is a GM part, so not uncommon.

While you are in there, you might want to consider replacing the fresh air intake connector that if it is original to the car is probably a mess.

If you need any pictures, I can take some since I have a couple of cars partially disassembled.

I looked for the pictures of the bolster removal, but I guess I trashed them and got too busy to take new ones.

I have a few of the clips if you broke any.

You might want to look at this post I made a while back: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=27506&p=353761#p353673

It shows the bolster out and the new part that is replacing it.

[lotusrepair]

I did the fresh air connectors some time ago. I used inner tube for the connection.

I was thinking the vac res was behind the dash. AS you said it was under the liner I had a flash of seeing it there when I did the fresh air connection.

Chris