Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

Knee Pad Removal

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 21, 2005 | 12:13 AM
  #1  
charlie78's Avatar
charlie78
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 128
Likes: 1
From: Austin TX
Default Knee Pad Removal

Well I was all primed to put the CLB bypass in yesterday but got shut down by the bloody knee pad. After removing all the screws/components etc. the directions called out, no amount of tugging or pulling or twisting, would convince it to 'pop' loose as the directions suggested it would do. I figured if I put any more pressure on it about the only thing I'd accomplish would be to crack or break the panel.

As much as I want to get this CLB installed, I'm not to excited about the prospect of having to buy a new piece if I butcher the original. So the next move is to see if anyone out there has a diagram or picture of what the backside of knee panel attaching system looks like, and would be willing to either post it on the forum or get it to me by email. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2005 | 12:35 AM
  #2  
rickko's Avatar
rickko
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
Default

Did you try this link for some guidance?

http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=24

..rickko..
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2005 | 12:44 AM
  #3  
Vetteran's Avatar
Vetteran
Safety Car
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07
Default

CLB Install Click on the small pics for a full size image. Hope this helps!
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2005 | 09:08 AM
  #4  
Net Exploit's Avatar
Net Exploit
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 1
From: MD
Default

Boy that procedure looks a lot more complicated than previously advertised. Anyone else done this and can you comment on the procedure and how difficult this is. I am about to order the CLB, but am not confident I can install it.

thanks,

Dan
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2005 | 09:15 AM
  #5  
Z06-JIM's Avatar
Z06-JIM
Race Director
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 19,105
Likes: 2
From: Paducah KY
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Default

Here's a link to some instructions from Vette Essentials that might help.
http://www.vetteessentials.com/instr...zel_howto.html
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2005 | 09:21 AM
  #6  
TEXHAWK0's Avatar
TEXHAWK0
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Default

Originally Posted by charlie78
After removing all the screws/components etc. the directions called out, no amount of tugging or pulling or twisting, would convince it to 'pop' loose as the directions suggested it would do. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
That was the most nerve racking part for me too. The clip on the upper left part of the panel just did not want to release.

There is a wedge shaped, spring steel, clip that snaps into a rectangular slot in the dash, and if fits really tight.
I finally was able to locate the clip on the back side of the dash from underneath and squeeze the clip to get it to slide through the slot.
I have since removed it a couple of times more, and now know that if you pull straight out, it probably will not break anything. The clip will most likely come off of the knee pad and leave the clip in the dash before it will break anything. The clip just slides onto a tap on the knee pad, and has little barbs that dig into the plastic tab to keep it on, but if you pull hard enough, the clip will come off the tab.
If you use firm steady pressure on the knee pad, it should come loose.

You did remove the last torx head screw that is behind the trunk release switch panel, right?

Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Jun 21, 2005 at 09:23 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2005 | 12:25 PM
  #7  
Classic-Chevy-Guy's Avatar
Classic-Chevy-Guy
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,426
Likes: 285
From: West Barnstable MA
Default

I had the same issue with the clip coming loose. Did not notice it, and was getting a rattle for 2 weeks, until I took it apart.

Also, make sure you have a scratch awl/ice pick so you can align the two under-dash screw holes with the speed nuts. They tend to move, and/or fall out when you are removing the panel. Try not to poke your finger with the awl when aligning the holes. Don't ask me how I know!!!!
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2005 | 01:17 PM
  #8  
vettecop1125's Avatar
vettecop1125
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,795
Likes: 2
From: Noblesville Indiana
CI 7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05
Default

I had the same problem when installing mine. A well respected member here gave me a simple tip which worked great - just loosen the radio surround trim piece!!! I did it and the knee pad just about fell into my hand. Try it. It works.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Jun 21, 2005 | 02:50 PM
  #9  
Hot BluZ's Avatar
Hot BluZ
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 1
From: The problem with socialism is eventually the government runs out of other people's money
Default

Originally Posted by Net Exploit
Boy that procedure looks a lot more complicated than previously advertised. Anyone else done this and can you comment on the procedure and how difficult this is. I am about to order the CLB, but am not confident I can install it.

thanks,

Dan
Guess I was lucky, panel popped free with not too much effort, whole process took less than 30 minutes start to finish, the hardest part was twisting upsidedown to find the wiring harness. Also found I did not need to remove the air conditioning sensor, wire was long enough to pull panel out and just remove wiring to get lower panel loose.

Got my CLB from Corvettes of Houston. Install of CLB didn't require going into fuse panel. As my 12v accessory plug is always hot did not need to turn on ignition.

Last edited by Hot BluZ; Jun 21, 2005 at 02:55 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2005 | 07:26 PM
  #10  
Flying Ace's Avatar
Flying Ace
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 789
Likes: 0
From: Reinholds PA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Default

I'm not sure I got this straight. Are there any years/VIN range etc.. that don't need this done?

Mine is not done and I'm considering it.

Thanks.
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2005 | 09:40 AM
  #11  
charlie78's Avatar
charlie78
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 128
Likes: 1
From: Austin TX
Default

Thanks to every one who responded. In addition to the mini instruction sheet that came with the CLB kit, I had also printed instruction from a web site that had pics. One of the sites recommended in response to my post was better yet. I hadn't realized that the upper left panel would also come off with the lower knee panel until I saw the pic with it still attached to it.

One of those lower captive speed nuts fell off during my first attempt. I thought that was pretty poor. A captive component that isn't! Here I've enough of a problem just getting the panels off and other crap is hitting the carpet.

Now all I need to do is muster up enough courage to dive in again. Maybe tomorrow.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Knee Pad Removal





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:34 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE