86 560SL Carpet Kick area

[Doug41]

the piece of carpeted cardboard directly underneath the steering wheel in this car apparently had been wrongly removed at some point in its life - it looks like it was ripped out, so the top no longer stays flush to the top. Anyone have a good idea of how to either replace/fix this? I've thought of double-stick tape, but that seems pretty crude...

[downeyjc]

Doug: Sorry I can't answer your question, but the situation is of great interest to me. Several months ago I posted a message seeking help in removing this particular piece of trim, as the top portion blocks access to the small screws that retain the speaker grilles. Unfortunately, no one was able to help.

The carpeted trim piece must be held in place by some clips or hidden screws. The top part of the trim piece fits very snugly. However, I was eventually able to remove the speaker grille screws by prying the upper portion of the trim panel back and squeezing a tiny screwdriver in the crack to remove the speaker panel screws. Afterwards, it snapped back and still fits very snug--so tightly that I couldn't get the screws back into the speaker grilles. It appears your previous owner was equally frustrated and stretched the upper portion of the panel too much and broke something.

I hope you figure out what holds it in place. I doubt that double-faced tape will work for long. I'd still like to get that damn piece off and see what holds it in place...grrrrr...John Downey

[ericdee]

Doug,

I would stop by a upholstery shop and see what they can do with it.

[SLBENZ1]

Doug,
if you look to the bottom of the knee bolster, there will be 2 plastic caps- remove them , get a 10 mm socket with a long extension- up inside these holes are 10mm nuts - remove these , wiggle panel forward and it's off. Then you'll be able to see how to make this panel tighter to the dash. good luck

Perry