wamara

I have removed the knee bolster under the steering column and there is yet another plastic panel that I need to remove to access the switch. There are two plastic push pins (they sort of have serrations on the pins to hold them in place) in the front, but it appears that there is some sort of washer nut at the back of the panel holding it in place. Of course this is all while upside down and contorted, so I'm not really sure what I am seeing. It looks as though there is a stud protruding down, with this washer on the end holding the panel in place. (Hopefully I'm explaining this clearly enough.) What do I need to do with this so as to be able to remove the panel? Thanks in advance for your help !

junk c5

If it's the panel I'm thinking of there's 2 black plastic tabs

wamara

The panel appears to be fastened in three places - the two plastic pins along the front edge (closest to the driver) and the metal-looking washer along the back edge.

LoneStarFRC

If that last one (the metal one) looks like these push-on retainers you'll just have to get a bit medieval. I used a flat blade screwdriver and pried up under the edges, going back and forth, side to side. Slowly work it off. Try not to break it if possible since you can re-use it. If it gets deformed just use pliers to flatten it back out again to push back on with a small socket on a nutdriver.

http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Pus...ners_s/153.htm

nsogiba

Correct, the "front" pins are just serrated push pins and can be yanked out and reused. The rear metal retaining washer is technically a one time use fastener as it isn't designed to be easily removed. Grab a pair of needlenose and work it back and forth to pull it off. If it's not too damaged you can reuse it, if not, don't worry about it.

wamara

Yes, that is what it looks like.

wamara

Thank you and also to LoneStar I do have to shake my head in puzzlement as to the engineer's choices in these assembly matters