I've searched for 2 hours and came up with nothing. I want to remove the metal panel behind the plastic knee panel under the steering wheel/column. I am trying to shave weight anywhere I can, and have ALL aux wiring behind there so it'd be nice to have quick access to it with only three screws.

Incase you don't know what I'm talking about:


Is there any reason not to? Looking at it, being bolted to plastic, doesn't seem to be any safety reason to run it; I can't see it stopping the column in any sort of head on or anything. If you have any insight let me know, as I've searched for hours like I said.

And I'll be shaving weight all over, so don't flame me for wanting to remove a 2lb piece of metal haha.

 

Pretty sure the plastic trim that goes over that actually bolts to that metal plate, but I don't have it in front of me so I can't be sure.

 

It bolts through it. It shares the same three holes on the bottom, and the top just snaps in. My friend removed his metal panel a month ago with no problems, just wondering if it really is structural or something haha; is it really going to offer any protection in an accident.

 

I've pulled this part out of other Chrysler vehicles without an issue. It's not structural.

 

That's good to know. I'm still wondering if it's a safety feature at all. I don't think so by looking at how it mounts but who knows, I'm not an engineer..

 

It is not a structural piece but it's a safety piece for the event of a collision. It supposedly protect your knees/legs or something. I read about it like 5 years ago.

 

It definitely looks like something that was meant to protect your knees in a forward collision. I'm not sure it would do a ton, but it's important to know if you're going to remove it.

 

I agree haha that's why I want to find out more about it. I figured it was to protect your knees/legs in event of a head on. However it's a solid metal plate bolted to a plastic frame by 5 small screws, can't see it stopping much ya know

 

I believe it prevent sharp or pointy objects to puncture anything. And large metal shield do help slow down the impact on your knees.