Instrument Panel CROSSMEMBER, Removing And Installing: Removing

-- Remove the left plenum chamber cover. Refer to PLENUM CHAMBER COVER, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

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

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-- 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 driver side footwell vent. Refer to DRIVER SIDE FOOTWELL VENT, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the bolts -1- and -2-.

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

-- Remove the steering column from the instrument panel crossmember and lay it on the floor of the vehicle. Refer to OVERVIEW - STEERING COLUMN / STEERING COLUMN, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the crash bolster. Refer to CRASH BOLSTER, 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.

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-- Remove the intermediate piece for the defroster 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.

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-- Remove the footwell vent on the front passenger side. Refer to FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FOOTWELL VENT, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

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

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-- Push the carpet near the threaded connection to the side and remove the left and right screw -2- for the instrument panel crossmember support.

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NOTE:

Mark the height and side position of the instrument panel crossmember in the vehicle around the left and right nut -1- as well as the bolt -2- with a scriber.

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

Fig 1: Exploded View Of Instrument Panel Crossmember

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-- 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.