Central Tube

Central Tube

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Pry lever (80 - 200)






Removing






- Remove instrument panel. Refer to => [ Instrument Panel ] Instrument Panel.

- Pull air duct - 1 - up off of A/C unit - arrows -.

- Release expanding clips - 2 - and - 4 - by pressing clamping pin in approximately 5 mm using a screwdriver.

- Pull air duct - 3 - up slightly from central tube - arrows -, but do not remove completely.

- Remove wiring guide bolts - 1 - on central tube.






- Remove central tube nut - 2 -.

- If present, remove Telephone Amplifier (R86) on right bracket.

- Remove bolts - 2 through 4 - on left and right support and remove intermediate plate - 1 -.






- Roadster: remove the bolts - arrows A - and - arrows B - and then remove the tunnel support reinforcement - 1 - from the left support - 2 - and from the front tunnel - 3 -.






- Remove Headlamp Range Control Module (J431) , electrical connector must not be loosened. .

- Leave Head Range Control Module (J431) with electrical lines connected in vehicle.

- Remove bolt - arrow - and remove air duct - 1 -.






- Remove bolts - 1 - on bottom of carrier.






- Remove lower brace bolt - 2 - on steering column mounting bracket.

- Remove lower relay and fuse carrier bolt - 1 - on steering column mounting bracket.






- Loosen steering column bolt - 2 - a few turns.

- Remove A/C unit bracket bolts - 1 - on central tube.






- Loosen bolts - 2 - on upper brace several turns.

- Roadster: remove the bolts - 2 - and - 3 - and then remove the brace - 1 - from the A-pillar - 4 - and from the steering column bracket - 5 -.






- Remove the left instrument panel fuse panel.

- Lay fuse holder with connected wiring harness aside.

- Remove screws - 3 - and - 5 -.






- Remove nuts - 2 - and - 4 - and remove instrument panel bracket - 1 -.

- Remove steering column from steering column bracket.

- Lay steering column in the footwell on a suitable surface.

Mark height and side position on central tube for reinstallation.

- Pull central tube - 3 - with cable guide as far from bulkhead as possible.






- Remove left front wiring guide bolts - 1 - on central tube.

- Remove right front wiring guide bolts - 2 - on central tube.

• 2 technicians are needed to remove instrument panel central pipe.

- Tip the top side of the central tube back.

- Remove central tube from vehicle interior.

Installation

- Insert central tube in body according to markings applied.

- Hand tighten left and right front wiring guide on central tube.

- Align central tube according to markings applied to A-pillar during removal.

- Tighten left and right central tube nuts.

Further installation is performed in reverse sequence of removal, but observe the following:

- Install Headlamp Range Control Module (J431).

- Tighten steering column on steering column mounting bracket.

- If present, install Telephone Amplifier (R86) on right bracket.

- Install the left instrument panel fuse panel.

Check location of instrument panel central tube

- Insert instrument panel to test.

- Secure instrument panel at left and right to instrument panel central tube.

- Close doors.

- Check whether gap dimension between instrument panel and left and right doors is even.

- Check whether height of instrument panel aligns with molding in door trim.

If the adjustment is not correct:

- Note side or height deviation.

- Remove instrument panel again.

- Loosen instrument panel central tube screws.

- Adjust instrument panel central tube according to noted deviations.

- Tighten left and right instrument panel central tube bolts - 2 - and - 4 -.






• The tunnel support reinforcement is only on the driver side on the Roadster.






- Slide tunnel support reinforcement - 1 - onto left support - 2 - as far as stop.

• Do not switch bolts - arrows A - and - arrows B - in their bolting points. The bolts are different lengths.

- Install bolts - A arrows - (M6, 20 mm long) and - B arrows - (M6, 12 mm long) in front tunnel - 3 - and tighten by hand.

- Tighten the bolts - arrows A - and - arrows B -.

Connect the battery with the ignition switched on. Pyrotechnic components could deploy after connecting the battery if they were not repaired correctly. Individuals must not be inside the vehicle when connecting the battery.

- Switch on ignition.

- Connect battery ground cable with ignition switched on.

- If Airbag Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) (K75) indicates a fault after installation, DTC memory must be checked, deleted and checked again.

For the correct tightening specifications, refer to => [ Central Tube Assembly Overview ] Central Tube.