Knee Blocker

KNEE BLOCKER

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

REMOVAL

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
2. Remove the steering column opening cover from the instrument panel.
3. Remove the two screws that secure the park brake release handle to the lower edge of the knee blocker and lower the handle to the floor.
4. Remove the two screws that secure the 16-way data link connector to the lower edge of the knee blocker and lower the connector to the floor.
5. Remove the two screws that secure the inside hood release handle to the lower edge of the knee blocker and lower the handle to the floor.

Fig. 11:

6. Reach under the instrument panel to access and loosen the two screws that secure the slotted holes of the knee blocker to the steering column support bracket (Fig. 11).

Fig. 12:

7. Remove the four screws that secure the knee blocker to the instrument panel on each side of the steering column opening (Fig. 12).
8. Pull the knee blocker rearward far enough to disengage the slotted holes from the loosened screws on the steering column support bracket.
9. Remove the knee blocker from the instrument panel.

INSTALLATION

1. Position the knee blocker to the instrument panel.
2. Engage the slotted holes of the knee blocker with the loosened screws on the steering column support bracket and slide the knee blocker forward (Fig. 11).
3. Install and tighten the four screws that secure the knee blocker to the instrument panel on each side of the steering column opening (Fig. 12). Tighten the screws to 2 N.m (17 in. lbs.).
4. Reach under the instrument panel to access and tighten the two screws that secure the slotted holes of the knee blocker to the steering column support bracket. Tighten the screws to 28 N.m (250 in. lbs.).
5. Position the inside hood release handle to the lower edge of the knee blocker.
6. Install and tighten the two screws that secure the inside hood release handle to the lower edge of the knee blocker. Tighten the screws to 3 N.m (24 in. lbs.).
7. Position the 16-way data link connector to the lower edge of the knee blocker.
8. Install and tighten the two screws that secure the 16-way data link connector to the lower edge of the knee blocker. Tighten the screws to 3 N.m (24 in. lbs.).
9. Position the park brake release handle to the lower edge of the knee blocker.
10. Install and tighten the two screws that secure the park brake release handle to the lower edge of the knee blocker. Tighten the screws to 2 N.m (17 in. lbs.).
11. Reinstall the steering column opening cover onto the instrument panel.
12. Reconnect the battery negative cable.