Removing the knee bolster
Removing the knee bolster is a required step for most repairs done inside the C900.
Luckily, SAAB made this pretty easy to remove and replace!
First remove the center console.
For those that do not have a center console, just remove the ashtray and skip the rest!
75a5246b47e8a96a91299c993a6573a1
Place all of the center console pieces in the back seat.
Now unbolt the 12 or 13mm bolt in the middle of the knee bolster.
This is what the ashtray bolt connects to and it helps hold up the knee bolster.
Remove the steering wheel cover.
There is one 1/2 twist screw on the bottom and two screws behind the steering wheels.
Throw that in the back seat as well.
Open hood and look near the door hinges.
Unbolt the two 10mm bolts from the inside of the fenders. These also hold up the knee bolster.
I use a long extension with a magnet attachment to help get these on and off.
Now pull the knee bolster straight down to release it from the clips and then pull the bottom towards the roof.
It sometimes helps if both doors are open for this.
Replacing the knee bolster
Reinstalling the knee bolster can be more challenging than it sounds!
You should have both doors open to give maximum space and having two people will help if this is your first time doing this job.
Place the knee bolster right below the two clips and push the ashtray light and stereo wires through the big middle hole.
For the 1 person approach, I lay across the front seats and use my legs to push up one side and my arms to push the other side into place.
Right before it gets to the top, I use my fingers to verify the clips are going to the right spot.
In most cases just having the bolt holes line up in the fenders will tell you if it is on right.
Once it is on the clips it should stay put. If it falls down, insert the big 13mm bolt in the middle to hold it up.
Verify with a flashlight that both fender bolt holes are lined up and insert the 10mm bolts to hold it up.
Sometimes you need to pull up on the bolster to line up the holes.
The next challenge is putting the center console back in.
Lay the carpet piece into place.
Hook up the ashtray light and stereo harness to the console.
Then gently twist and push the console so it is almost in place.
Push the sunroof harness up through the hole and reconnect the switch.
Pull the carpet piece and the console forward so you can access the four side screws.
You need to screw in the top side screws first and then the lowers will be easier.
Push the center console back into place which should reveal the two bottom screw holes in front of the shifter.
If you cannot find these then most likely your knee bolster is not installed on the clips correctly or your stereo wiring is in the way.
The final step is fitting the ashtray bolt, ashtray, and steering column cover.
DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN ANY OF THE BOLTS!
They will strip very easy. They are only there to hold everything together.