Very simple to remove.

1.) Unscrew and remove the Philip screw on the left side of the cover, all the way to the front (of the car) next to the hood release lever.

2.) Use a small flat blade screw driver to pry off the two plastic trim tabs at the top of the bolster on either side of the steering wheel. That will reveal three Phillip screws.

3.) Unscrew and remove the three Philip screws notated above. The bolster cover can now be dropped and removed.

4.) Using a 10 mm socket with a long extension, loosen and remove the two bolts holding the Styrofoam bolster. The bolts are accessible through holes in the Styrofoam on either side of the steering wheel. (note: the Styrofoam is covered by a black, ribbed plastic "shield", but you can see the Styrofoam on either end.)

That's all! But, I had to put it all back together again because there were too many wires hanging down with a couple "boxes" and a fuse. All of these hung down to the point where it would be a safety hazard to drive like that.


What I need to do is obtain an under-dash cover for a W201 that does not have that leg bolster. Did all W201 models imported into the U.S. have that leg bolster? Should I scour the junkyards looking for a cover from a W201 without the bolster? I'll also need the left center console vent cover. It is not on my car because the leg bolster covers it up pretty good. No need for the vent cover with the bolster in position.

By the way, without the bolster, the under dash area is wide open, just like the W123 and W124 cars.

__________________
-Steven

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1959 190b, totalled
1968 220D, sold
1969 230/8, sold
1980 240D manual, gave away at 300k (stupid me)
1985 190D 2.2 manual, gave away to a youngster
1989 300CE, sold when I retired - major regrets