Steering Column Cover

[adam17]

I am getting a terrible rattle. It’s from the plastic cover that covers the steering wheel cover. This is on a 1981 Spider. It’s loose and can’t figure how to get it to screw into the top near the steering wheel? Has any one had this issue?

[RRoller123]

Yes there are 4 thread cutting screws that go up from below to hold the two halves together (Upper and Lower separated horizontally), and then there is a FIFTH screw that is roughly centered on the bottom, about 5 or so inches back from the wheel, that holds the two halves from spinning and rattling, etc. In my car it is the same plastic thread cutter style as the other 4. It has its own hole in that bottom cover and aligns with a hole in the steering column or hub or whatever it is under there.

Be careful, these things are flimsy, my bottom piece was cracked along its entire length, and I just replaced it last weekend, sourced from a member here.

If you have to remove them, you don't need to drop the steering column, the bottom one drops right off, but you have to maneuver the top one, twisting it back and forth to clear the wiring bundle, because there is a large plastic tab on the back of it that catches the wires. If it becomes too difficult depending upon your wiring situation, then drop the column, because these things are so flimsy, they break if you look at them.

BTW, with these covers off, the main instrument panel comes right out, you don't have to drop the steering column to do that either.

Pete