General body repairs, interior

Removing and installing dash panel central tube

~3min read
0102030405097N·mlb·ft
Tightening torque found on this page

Special tools and workshop equipment required

Torque wrench -V.A.G 1331
Torque wrench -V.A.G 1331

Note If electrical wires are disconnected or removed and installed, it is useful to make corresponding drawings or photos. This guarantees that everything is re-installed in its original position.

Removing

  • Remove left plenum chamber cover → General body repairs, exterior; Rep. gr.50.

Torque wrench -V.A.G 1783
Torque wrench -V.A.G 1783

  • Unscrew bolt -1- for crash bar and central tube on plenum chamber bulkhead.
  • Removing dash panel → Chapter.
  • Remove knee airbag with igniter → Chapter.
  • Remove footwell vent on driver side → Heating, air conditioning; Rep. gr.87.
Removing and installing dash panel central tube
  • Remove bolts -1- and -2-
  • Unhook load distributor -3- on central tube for dash panel.
  • Unbolt steering column from dash panel central tube and place it on vehicle floor → Running gear, axles, steering; Rep. gr.48.
  • If fitted, remove interface for entry and start authorisation -J965- → Electrical system; Rep. gr.97.
Removing and installing dash panel central tube
  • Release expanding rivet -1- and remove upwards.
  • Remove intermediate piece for defroster function vent -3- from dash panel central tube.
  • Unclip intermediate piece for centre vent -2- from heater and air conditioning unit and remove it.
Removing and installing dash panel central tube
  • Unscrew nut -1- on earth point of central tube -2- and lay wires to one side.
  • Remove footwell vent on front passenger side → Heating, air conditioning; Rep. gr.87.
Removing and installing dash panel central tube
  • Unscrew the 3 bolts -arrows- for heater and air conditioning unit.
Removing and installing dash panel central tube
  • Push floor covering in area of bolted connection aside and unscrew bolt -2- for dash panel central tube support on left and right.
Note Mark vertical and horizontal position on dash panel central tube for reinstallation. Note
Removing and installing dash panel central tube
In area of nuts -1- on left and right and in area of bolt -1-, use a scriber to mark vertical and horizontal position of dash panel central tube in vehicle.
  • Unscrew bolt -1- for dash panel central tube.
  • Unscrew nut -2- for dash panel central tube on A-pillar on left and right.
  • Unclip wires on dash panel central tube and lay them to one side.
Removing and installing dash panel central tube
Removing and installing dash panel central tube
  • Remove wiring harness retainer -2- from dash panel central tube -1-.
  • Detach dash panel central tube -1- and pull it slightly towards the rear.
  • With aid of second mechanic, carefully lift dash panel central tube -1- out of vehicle. Mind the wiring harnesses while doing so.

Installing

Note
  • Before bolting dash panel central tube in place, align it in the vehicle using the marks made during removal.
  • Before installing, check all fasteners for damage and renew if necessary.

Install in reverse order, but note the following:

Caution

If the centre tube is renewed, malfunctions due to poor earthing may occur.

  • The earth points must be free of paint, coatings and corrosion in order to ensure flawless earth connections.
  • Threads and contact surfaces between the central tube and the securing brackets must be free of paint, coatings and corrosion. Threaded connections are used as an earth connection for the knee airbag.
  • The contact surfaces between the left and right tunnel supports and the tunnel must be paint-free on both sides. They serve as primary earthing paths.

Specified torques

→ Chapter „Assembly overview - dash panel central tube“
Component Specified torque
Nut for earth point on central tube 9 N·m
3 bolts for load distributor on central tube 4,5 N·m

Test yourself

A quick Volkswagen Golf quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.