Hi Tim-
I've removed mine more times than I can to remember!. The vinyl keeps
coming loose, and I keep
trying to tighten it up. It's a losing battle. Anyway, remove the
vertical trim pieces on either side.
These are the chrome ones alongside your windshield. Then look
under the pad and you will see
another strip of chrome with a number of counter-sunk screws. Remove
these also. Hang onto your
chrome screws. The little rascals like to roll under the front seats.
Actually there are two strips joined
at the middle.
Now comes the HARD part. The pad is a VERY tight fit. You may find it
necessary as I have to remove
the steering column molding (under the dash and drop the column a few
inches, by loosening or removing
the bolts holding the column to the brace under the dash. This will lower
your steering wheel making it a
little easier to get the pad out. Now, pull one end of the pad forward
and up towards you. Once you have
an end out the rest will follow! To re-install reverse your steps. BUT I
warn you--
-getting it back in is difficult also, you have to "work" it in. Be
careful not to snag or otherwise tear
the vinyl pad cover. Under the cover is a foam pad that usually shrinks
with the years. This has a steel backing
and the cover is glued to the underside of the steel base. The glue also
works loose from sun and heat.
Be sure and fasten your steering column back in place, and re-install the
cover over it.
Hope it works out for you. 55' & '56 are the same, I have one of each
. Chrysler kept the dash design for
two years, except for the little shift lever which was replaced by
push buttons in '56. Fell free to contact
me personally if things go wrong- Good Luck!
cebuisle@xxxxxxx
Ted Blackington
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