Instrument Panel CROSSMEMBER, Removing And Installing: Removing

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2023 Volkswagen Arteon. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

-- Remove the left plenum chamber cover. Refer to OVERVIEW - PLENUM CHAMBER COVER .

-- Remove the bolt -1- for the brace and crossmember from the plenum chamber bulkhead.

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

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

-- Remove the knee airbag with igniter. Refer to KNEE AIRBAG WITH IGNITER, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the footwell vent on the driver side. Refer to OVERVIEW - AIR ROUTING AND AIR DISTRIBUTION IN VEHICLE INTERIOR .

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

-- Remove the bolts -1 and 2-.

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Disengage the load distributor -3- on the instrument panel crossmember.

-- Remove the steering column from the instrument panel crossmember and lay it on the underbody. Refer to STEERING COLUMN, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- If equipped, remove the Access/Start System Interface -J965-. Refer to COMPONENT LOCATION OVERVIEW - CONTROL MODULES .

-- Release the expanding rivet -1- and remove it upward.

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Remove the intermediate piece for the defroster air vent -3- from the instrument panel crossmember.

-- Unclip and remove the intermediate piece for the center vent -2- from the heater and A/C unit.

-- Remove the nut -1- from the crossmember ground connection -2- and free up the wires.

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Remove the footwell vent on the front passenger side. Refer to OVERVIEW - AIR ROUTING AND AIR DISTRIBUTION IN VEHICLE INTERIOR .

-- Remove the bolts -arrows- for the heater and A/C unit.

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Push the carpet in the threaded connection area to the side. Remove the left and right bolt -2- for the support for the instrument panel crossmember.

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

NOTE:

Mark the height and side position on the instrument panel crossmember for reinstallation.

-- Mark the height and side position of the crossmember in the vehicle near the nut -1- on the left and right sides using a scriber.

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Mark the height and side position of the crossmember in the vehicle near the bolt -2- on the left and right sides using a scriber.

-- Remove the bolt -1- for the instrument panel crossmember.

-- Remove the nut -2- for the instrument panel crossmember from the left and right A-pillar.

-- Unclip the wires from the instrument panel crossmember, disengage and free them up.

Fig 1: Exploded View Of Instrument Panel Crossmember

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Remove the wiring harness bracket -2- from the instrument panel crossmember -1-.

-- Loosen the instrument panel crossmember -1- and pull it slightly to the rear.

-- Carefully lift the instrument panel crossmember -1- out of the vehicle with the help of a second technician. Pay attention to the wiring harnesses.