mystery steering column bracket

[jtmasters68]

A couple of years ago I removed all the cardboard under dash pieces to work on the wiring. All of the pieces went back together fine. But this piece, this bracket, came off the steering column down by the firewall. It has a coarse-thread screw hole at each end. I assumed that one of the cardboard pieces had a screw hole that would line up with the holes on the bracket. Nowhere near the case when I tried to put it back on. I cannot remember nor figure out what this bracket does. It's driven me crazy today. Help is appreciated.

[esty]

that holds the steering column up...look under the steering column midway between pedal box and bottom of dash

[nbcbird]

You have it figured out. Bracket holds lower section of trim (about 15" long) under the steering column . Two holes 2-1/2" from the bottom on the trim screw into the bracket (which is secured around the column). It should be easy to tell by positioning the bracket to the panel before installation.

[austinmf]

This pad? Anyone know the metric screw size?

[02Les]

Here's a couple of pics that may help.

That cardboard underdash piece tends to get flattened out when in storage for a while, so the holes may appear to be too far apart.

[BillWilliams]

Les's fine photos should help you.

The bracket goes over the column and the u shaped connector underneath the column. Put these two together loosely.

Then when you position your cardboard panels, use an awl to stick through the holes in the cardboard panels and into those two holes in the bracket. Leaving the bracket loose may allow you to move the bracket into place with the awl.

When you have this all lined up, take the cardboard panel down, tighten the bracket together then continue to install your cardboard panels.

So once you have this bracket in the proper place, installing the cardboard panels is "easy". I always use an awl to line all these little burgers up then sneak the screw in.

[jtmasters68]

Just brilliant. Just Brilliant! Such simple answers to such confubbling things.

[Napes]

Because it's a little smaller in dia., and is a little longer, I favor using my ice pick instead of my awl to line things up for screw placement.

Bob Napier