Instrument Panel Reinforcement

FIGURE 1:

FIGURE 2:

Install:

1. Remove horn button.

2. Rotate steering wheel for access to upper steering column cover screws and remove cover.

3. Remove both lower steering column covers and key release lever on manual transmission vehicles (see Figure 2).

FIGURE 3 - FUSE BOX:

4. Remove fuse box cover and push fuse box into dash area by pushing down at front and rearward (see Figure 3).

FIGURE 4:

5. Remove lower plastic dowel (see Figure 4).

FIGURE 5:

6. Drill out 2 lower I.P. rivets (see Figure 5).
7. Clean off rivet residue.

FIGURE 6:

8. Insert the reinforcement plate from front leg room towards instrument panel into slit between body instrument panel and lower sheet metal bracket (see Figure 6).

9. Slide reinforcement plate up towards steering column.

10. Position reinforcement plate to align holes A1 with B1 and A2 with B2 and install dowel pins.
11. Align hole B3 in sheet metal bracket with hole A3 in reinforcement plate.

12. Firmly rivet instrument panel pad thru reinforcement plate and sheet metal bracket at location A3 to B3.

13. Move reinforcement plate as required for correct positioning around steering column.

14. Be certain reinforcement plate remains correctly positioned at column opening and inspect relationship of holes A4 and B4. If holes align, firmly rivet at A4, B4 location. If holes align skip Steps #15 and #16 and continue to Step #17.
15. If holes A4 and B4 do not align, measure horizontally 1 inch up from center of original hole in instrument panel, location B4, and mark instrument panel pad for drilling.

16. Holding reinforcement plate in place drill with 11/64" drill through I.P. pad, reinforcement plate, and sheet metal bracket.

17. Firmly rivet instrument panel pad thru reinforcement plate to sheet metal bracket at location A4 to B4.

FIGURE 7 - RIVET LOCATIONS:

18. Using a mandrel type punch, punch 4 holes through the remaining holes in reinforcement plate from inner side through instrument panel pad (see Figure 7).
19. Drill 11/64" holes through 4 marked locations at column area and firmly rivet instrument panel pad to reinforcement plate at all four positions.

20. Reinstall fuse box and cover.

21. Install two lower steering column covers and key release lever on manual transmission models.

22. Install upper steering column cover.