Instrument Panel Central Tube, Removing And Installing: Removing

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Fig 1: Removing Instrument Panel Central Tube

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Remove the instrument panel. Refer to INSTRUMENT PANEL, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Unscrew The Steering Column From The Central Tube And Lay It On Vehicle Floor. Refer to STEERING COLUMN, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Disengage The Left Instrument Panel Vent Air Guide On The Instrument Panel Central Tube. Refer to OVERVIEW - AIR ROUTING AND AIR DISTRIBUTION IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT .

-- Remove The Right Instrument Panel Vent Air Duct. Refer to OVERVIEW - AIR ROUTING AND AIR DISTRIBUTION IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT .

-- Remove the Fuse Panel C -SC- on the left side and Fuse Panel D -SD- on the right side from the instrument panel central tube. Refer to OVERVIEW - RELAY CARRIERS, FUSE PANELS AND E-BOXES .

-- Remove the Data Bus on Board Diagnostic Interface -J533- and set aside. Refer to DATA BUS ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC INTERFACE -J533-, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the bolts -1- on the left and right of the central tube support and remove the bracket -2-.

-- Remove the left and right bolts -3- for the central tube support.

-- Remove the A/C unit bolt -1- on the left and right of the central tube support.

Fig 2: Remove A/C Unit Bolt

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Remove The Center Defroster Vent Air Duct. Refer to OVERVIEW - AIR ROUTING AND AIR DISTRIBUTION IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT .

Fig 3: Remove A/C Unit Bolt -1, -- Remove Bolt -2- On Top Brace On Instrument Panel Central Tube.

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Remove the A/C unit bolt -1- from the top brace on the instrument panel central tube.

-- Remove the bolt -2- from the top brace on the instrument panel central tube.

-- Remove the ground wire from the left ground connection on the tunnel wall and free them up.

-- Disconnect the connectors on the accelerator pedal module and the brake light switch and free up.

-- Remove the right A-pillar lower trim panel. Refer to A-PILLAR TRIM PANEL, REMOVING AND INSTALLING, A-PILLAR LOWER TRIM PANEL .

-- Disconnect The Multi-Pin Connectors On The Right Connector Station On The A-Pillar. Refer to OVERVIEW - RELAY CARRIERS, FUSE PANELS AND E-BOXES .

-- Disconnect the connector on the fresh air blower and free up the wires.

-- Remove the air intake manifold bracket bolts -1- on the instrument panel central tube.

Fig 4: Remove Air Intake Chamber Bracket Bolts -1

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Remove the nut -2-.

-- Remove the bolt -1- and nut -2-.

Fig 5: Remove Bolt -1- And Nut -2

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- On the driver side A-pillar, tighten the two nuts -2 and 3- on the threaded pin -1- and remove the threaded pin.

Fig 6: Locating 2 Nuts -2- And -3- On Stud Bolt On Driver Side A-Pillar -1- And Remove Stud Bolt

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

NOTE:

Two technicians are needed to remove the instrument panel central tube.

-- Carefully pull the instrument panel central tube -1- upward at the driver side while disengaging it from the A/C unit -3- and the upper -2- and lower -4- stop brackets.

Fig 7: Carefully Pull Instrument Panel Central Tube -1- Up At Driver Side While Disengaging It From A/C Unit -3- & Upper -2- & Lower -4- Stop Brackets

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Remove the instrument panel central tube from the threaded pin on the front passenger side A-pillar.

-- Carefully tilt the top side of the instrument panel central tube toward the rear while pulling it up.

-- Remove the instrument panel central tube from the vehicle interior.