Jeep Cherokee

 Service Manual

Instrument panel systems » Removal and installation
Knee blocker

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, REFER TO GROUP 8M - PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

REMOVAL

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

(2) Remove the steering column opening cover from the instrument panel. Refer to Steering Column Opening Cover in the Removal and Installation section of this group for the procedures.

(3) Remove the two screws that secure the knee blocker to the instrument panel (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5 Knee Blocker Remove/Install

1 - KNEE BLOCKER
2 - SCREW
3 - TAB
4 - SLOT

(4) Pull the upper edge of the knee blocker away from the instrument panel far enough to disengage the two lower mounting tabs from the mounting slots in the lower instrument panel reinforcement.

(5) Remove the knee blocker from the instrument panel.

INSTALLATION

(1) Position the knee blocker to the instrument panel.

(2) Install and tighten the four screws that secure the knee blocker to the instrument panel. Tighten the screws to 2.2 N·m (20 in. lbs.). Be certain that the mounting screws are located in the screw hole on each side of the steering column that is closest to the driver side front door of the vehicle (Fig. 6).

Fig. 6 Knee Blocker Mounting Screw Location

1 - KNEE BLOCKER
2 - RIGHT-HAND DRIVE
3 - SCREWS
4 - LEFT-HAND DRIVE

(3) Install the steering column opening cover onto the instrument panel. Refer to Steering Column Opening Cover in the Removal and Installation section of this group for the procedures.

(4) Reconnect the battery negative cable.

Steering column opening cover

Knee blocker

Instrument panel center bezel

Instrument panel accessory switch bezel

Cigar lighter relay

Cluster bezel

Headlamp switch

Instrument cluster

Instrument cluster components

Instrument panel top cover

Glove box

Glove box components

Glove box latch striker

Instrument panel end cap

Instrument panel center support bracket

Instrument panel assembly