Effing Knee Bolster

[DeanG]

I also had a miserable time removing the bolster, all due to elastic stop nuts, the seeming mile long threaded studs and the after market car alarm. Now that the alarm has been removed everything under the dash is much easier.

There I was, seat out, in the lotus position working on the stop nuts when a piece of insulation fell into my open mouth. I thought I was going to die until I managed to wiggle out of the car and cough it up. Wear a mask or bandanna.

[TorqueHorse]

Hey, I've joined the M100 blursed bolster removal club! Wish I'd read this post first though
Only because I tried 3 other sizes first, I was determined to make the documentation right...

kneeBolster.png

Yes, it really does take a million turns to get them off, just keep turning. Like folks say, really deep socket and a fancy universal joint adaptor can help in the weird angles too.

[Brit-Car-Nut]

They also make 1/4 and 3.8 inch drive air (and battery) ratchets that don't require any turning at all... Just hit the button.

The Milwaukee 3/8 inch battery ratchet isn't too expensive and has a LOT of torque, but I like my fairly tiny 1/4 inch Snap On air ratchet.

What are you going to do to fill in the under dash void the bolster covered?

[marvic]

When I removed mine I replaced the nylocs with old fashioned nuts and a spring washer so once slightly loose, easy spins using fingertips.

[Brit-Car-Nut]

So that means you are putting the bolster back on?

I swapped the tilt-able steering column from the UK car and used the LHD filler panel instead of the bolster.
I had to add two brackets to accommodate the upper mounting screws for the panels, but I was able to get the correct dimensions from the other European parts I have scrounged.

I will post some pictures once I have the column fully finished.

[TorqueHorse]

@marvic
Love the spring washer idea for when I put it back on. The nylock had just enough friction to make it too hard for my (by then fatigued) fingers to spin.
@BCN
No fancy plans, just the typical remove 5 parts to get to one sequence so I could get the main instrument cluster out. Looking forward to seeing photos of what you've swapped out. Thanks for the tips on the power assist ratchets. I already blew my tool budget for the month getting a pneumatic impact wrench for the brake job, but those look pretty handy and will go on the list

[lotusflight]

I just had to remove mine and thankful to this thread it save me loads of time. I like the swap idea. Will see if I can get a tilt column with the European cover panel.

[lotusflight]

This is what it looks like behind it.

You will see some wiring from an alarm system I had installed when I purchased it new from the dealer. In retrospect I would not do it again but now we are 25 years on so...

THe attachment points for the bolts that project are the two holes in the black colored bracketstry. Both are now bent due to the process of removal. Now that I can plainly see what it looks like I now know the correct process for removal.

IGNORE THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE FEDERAL MANUAL THAT JUST TELL YOU TO PULL IT OFF. This will bend the upper attachment fasteners and also end up bending the brackets at the bottom. First use 10mm wrenches - the door side will need a socket deep enough to go over the bole and probably an extension and maybe a wobble joint. The tranny side will need either an open end or preferably a ratcheting box. After undoing the bottom, then the top can be undone by pulling up as the manual says.

Does anyone know what these two loose plugs are under the steering column? I have the same ones and my ocd is getting the best of me trying to figure out what they go to.

[lotusflight]

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[lotusflight]

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