Removing knee bolster

[gnutruk]

I need to remove the knee bolster underneath the steering wheel. It's the big piece of thick plastic that extends from the door all the way over to the center console.

 

Hard to get off some some reason I can't figure out. I've removed the dash trim bezel, the center console, the cover of the fuse bay over by the door.

 

Next, I took out the two screws along its lower edge, and have tried to pop it free from the two plastic clips that seem to be holding it in place.

 

Those plastic clips won't seem to give, and I don't want to pull hard and break them if that's not the way to remove this thing.

 

Any tips?

 

I'm going to mount a bracket on the knee bolster if I can get it off. Need to mount four bolts on the back side of the bolster to do that.

 

TIA

 

gnutruk

[carguru]

Yep, those 2 clips on the top corners are a real pain to get off. I broke one of mine and had to get a replacement. The clip digs into the plastic on the knee bolster. Just pull on the knee bolster and it will eventually come out.

[JimG]

You gotta pull, pry, etc - those darn clips are the biggest PITA to remove. Virtually destroyed the one on the right for all the times I've removed that bolster panel. Only way I get them out is to place my hands at the corners of the bolster, starting on the left side, and pulling until I hear it pop and slam back into the seat from the force I'm using.

[gnutruk]

Thanks Carguru and JimG:

 

Good to know that it's simply one of those PITA configurations. Now, when I break it, I'll know I'm in good company!

 

gnutruk

[carguru]

In case you need another clip or two, the p/n is 15155213