Jeep Cherokee (XJ): Steering column opening cover. Knee blocker. Instrument panel center bezel

Steering column opening cover

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, REFER TO GROUP 8M - PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

REMOVAL

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

(2) If the vehicle is so equipped, move the tilt steering column to the fully raised position.

(3) Remove the three screws that secure the lower edge of the steering column opening cover to the lower instrument panel reinforcement (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4 Steering Column Opening Cover Remove/Install

1 - INSTRUMENT PANEL
2 - SNAP CLIPS
3 - STEERING COLUMN OPENING COVER
4 - SCREW

(4) Using a trim stick or another suitable wide flat-bladed tool, gently pry the upper edge of the steering column opening cover just below the cluster bezel on each side of the steering column away from the instrument panel far enough to disengage the two snap clip retainers from the receptacles in the instrument panel.

(5) Remove the steering column opening cover from the instrument panel.

INSTALLATION

(1) Position the steering column opening cover to the instrument panel.

(2) Align the snap clip retainers on the steering column opening cover with the receptacles in the instrument panel.

(3) Press firmly on the steering column opening cover over the snap clip locations until each of the snap clips is fully engaged in its receptacle.

(4) Install and tighten the three screws that secure the lower edge of the steering column opening cover to the lower instrument panel reinforcement. Tighten the screws to 2.2 N·m (20 in. lbs.).

(5) Reconnect the battery negative cable.

Knee blocker

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, REFER TO GROUP 8M - PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

REMOVAL

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

(2) Remove the steering column opening cover from the instrument panel. Refer to Steering Column Opening Cover in the Removal and Installation section of this group for the procedures.

(3) Remove the two screws that secure the knee blocker to the instrument panel (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5 Knee Blocker Remove/Install

1 - KNEE BLOCKER
2 - SCREW
3 - TAB
4 - SLOT

(4) Pull the upper edge of the knee blocker away from the instrument panel far enough to disengage the two lower mounting tabs from the mounting slots in the lower instrument panel reinforcement.

(5) Remove the knee blocker from the instrument panel.

INSTALLATION

(1) Position the knee blocker to the instrument panel.

(2) Install and tighten the four screws that secure the knee blocker to the instrument panel. Tighten the screws to 2.2 N·m (20 in. lbs.). Be certain that the mounting screws are located in the screw hole on each side of the steering column that is closest to the driver side front door of the vehicle (Fig. 6).

Fig. 6 Knee Blocker Mounting Screw Location

1 - KNEE BLOCKER
2 - RIGHT-HAND DRIVE
3 - SCREWS
4 - LEFT-HAND DRIVE

(3) Install the steering column opening cover onto the instrument panel. Refer to Steering Column Opening Cover in the Removal and Installation section of this group for the procedures.

(4) Reconnect the battery negative cable.

Instrument panel center bezel

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, REFER TO GROUP 8M - PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

REMOVAL

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

(2) Using a trim stick or another suitable wide flat-bladed tool, gently pry the instrument panel center bezel away from the instrument panel far enough to disengage the six snap clip retainers that secure it from the receptacles in the instrument panel (Fig. 7).

(3) Remove the center bezel from the instrument panel.

INSTALLATION

(1) Position the center bezel to the instrument panel.

(2) Align the snap clips on the center bezel with the receptacles in the instrument panel.

Fig. 7 Instrument Panel Center Bezel Remove/Install

1 - INSTRUMENT PANEL
2 - CENTER BEZEL

(3) Press firmly on the center bezel over each of the snap clip locations until each of the six snap clips is fully engaged in its receptacle on the instrument panel.

(4) Reconnect the battery negative cable.