The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Support Bracket Removal? (inside dash behind steering column)

1948 Chevrolet Pick-up Truck. On the underside of the dash, there is a support bracket or beam that goes from the dash to the firewall. After removing the nuts on the firewall and the bolts on the dash, is there anyway to remove this bracket?

It is such a tight space, it seems like it would only come out if you remove the dash entirely? I'm going to be dustless sandblasting my Cab soon and wanted to try and get this piece out in order to paint it. I'm not talking about the U shaped bracket that connects the steering column to the dash, but rather am speaking of the support beam that is behind the dash that is bolted to both the dash and the firewall. Appreciate any tips on removal, without destroying it or that dash.

** To remove the said bracket on my 52 5 window & 53 Suburban I had to remove the two bolts on the bracket that the lever that controls the cowl vent . The two bolts also hold the ign. switch bracket. With these two bolts removed I was able to remove the bracket your talking about. I went ahead and removed both brackets for sand blasting & powder coating. Hope this helps.

Hmmm, I've removed that other bracket that holds the Cowl Vent lever. I'm talking about the larger bracket to the left of that, it has 2 fixed bolts on the face that connect to the Firewall. Then it has 2 removable bolts where it connects to the Dashboard, just behind the steering column. So I have 2 lower bolts and 2 upper nuts removed now, but the bracket doesn't have much play between the dash and firewall and I can't seem to push, pull or pop it out of place. It's getting caught up on those 4 small bolt heads where the Tach/Speed mount onto. I'm tempted to get a rubber mallet and strike it toward the top near the firewall to push it all the way up, but it will need quite a hit.

Bobby,

The bracket you're referring to have the two square nuts on the top side (under the dash, so to speak), that the steering column mount bolts screw in to? Sounds like it. If it is, rap it with a rubber mallet sideways toward the drivers side. Hammer on it at the firewall end. And yes, it does fit tight. I used a dead-blow hammer. It will come out.

The bolts going through this brace through the firewall will have to come out all the way. Seems like they are carriage bolts going from the inside out, with nuts on the firewall side.

Thanks! Yep, that be the one. I was wondering what direction to take it with the mallet, appreciate this tip!!

I just looked at my bracket. Looks like I removed the firewall bolts also, to make it easier to remove. Mine never went back in because I did a firewall booster.

Kades51 is right on. I removed the one on my 52 panel and was tight as a banjo string! But it will come out...as Kade said, you got to make sure those "carriage type" bolts are all the way out or you are wasting time!

Bobby,
Before you hammer the heck out of those carriage bolts double check this: I seem to remember that on my brace that those carriage bolts are pressed in so you don’t need an extra set of hands to tighten/loosen the nuts. Yours might simply be loose and sit in place but be careful. I hammered on mine and they wouldn’t budge. Brute force could equal extra metal work...

Yes, this brace is tight. I got mine out when I repaired all the stress cracks and holes at my steering mount. My brace was broken near the firewall and this aided in removal. I rewelded it and then put a small gusset on it near the firewall to prevent breakage in the future. I managed to get the brace in with the carriage bolts in place and still pressed in.

Thanks All!! It's out - took some hits from the rubber mallet but it's out. I think I'm going to shorten those 2 fixed bolts at the top that go thru the Firewall, that was a big part of the problem, maybe trim 1/4" off each.

When I put mine back in, I used stainless carriage bolts. Put a strip of duct tape over the heads, so once they are sticking through the firewall, they are locked in by the shank of the bolt. Then you can put the nut on the outside without needing any help.