How to remove the lower driver's side trim and steering column trim on a Volkswagen Passat
This article shows how to remove misc. trim and steering column trim. Lower trim removal is necessary to access the relay panel or disconnect the steering column.
Procedure
First slide the driver's seat all the way back to get more room.
Steering wheel and driver's side front airbag removal
See 1000q: mk4 steering wheel removal for the full write-up. There are pictures and videos and safety notes that warrant its own article.
Lower driver's side trim removal
Open the driver's side door and pry off the fuse box cover at the end of the
dashboard. Remove the 2x torx screws holding the side of the lower knee
trim panel.
Remove 2 more torx screws in the front of the panel. There are a few spring clips that may pop out when you pull off the panel, make sure to save them. Once it's off
disconnect the headlight switch, dimmer switch, and obd2 port plugs.
You now have easy access to the brake pedal.
You can also remove the headlight switch by (in the off position) pushing the
switch part forward, then turning it about 1/8 turn, then pull it straight out.
Steering column trim removal
Remove the 2x phillips screws on the underside of the trim. This will
release the upper half of the trim. You can than remove it. Here
they are the ones in the middle.
Turn the steering wheel left or right to expose the screws under the steering
wheel base as shown below. These are also highlighted at top in the above
picture. There is another screw in the middle-bottom. I also suggest
removing the 2x torx screws holding the tilt/telescope handle.
If you want to remove this piece of trim it's held in place by 4 screws.
To remove the top 2 you have to raise or peel back the flexible trim.
To get to the lower 2 you have to remove the trim, all 4 screws are indicated
below.
