I had a look at removing the knee bolster this morning.
It is ultra-sonically welded (melded) to the lower dash panel.
Basically it's welded.
If you open the fuse panel, and peel back the corner of the felt type material, you will see there is a hole in the lower dash panel, where a spigot/boss protrudes through from the knee bolster - then they are melted together.
To remove the knee bolster you're going to have to break these melted points - I don't know how many there are.
This will leave holes in the lower dash panel - some will be out of sight - others may not be.
If you remove it - without cracking the lower dash panel, you're going to struggle re-attaching it at a later date. You'd have to screw into the bosses in the knee bolster, and use a large washer to clamp onto the inside of the lower dash panel.

The easiest way maybe to see if the lower dash panel is available without the knee bolster!

 

From the pictures in the manual, I'm sure MB has this part with out the knee bolster. Just gonna have to scrounge the parts books for a part number.

The next best thing would be to remove that chrome pull handle attached to the door. This should offer some more knee room for your left leg...

 

Just wondering if anybody has anything new for this topic.

 

Well, what's your input?
Do you have time to go to the dealer and research the part without the knee bolster?
Perhaps find a part number, or if even if it's available without the bolster!

 

sorry but it's at the very bottom of my list...let us know what you find out!

 

I appear to have found out more than most.
I'm waiting for blackcrossfire6spd to contribute something concrete.
Hence the "Go to the dealer" comment.

 

Its probably not really that helpful but here's what's behind the panel (UK spec with no bolster) for those that haven't ventured this far:



Oh and for those with left hookers.

 

hey thanks for the pix woody, I wonder if there is any difference from the SLK knee bolster?

 

Not trying to be a start anything BlackCrossFire6spd, but have you tried to fully adjust your seat? The only reason I ask, is that I I'm 6'1 and a half and at 265 lbs, I am a relatively big guy and don't hit the bolster any more. I use to when I got the car (bought it at an auction) but I have gotten the seat adjusted all the way down and more in a up right position. I'm not at a right angle, but it is more like a race seat and less like a seat of comfort. Now I have always liked to sit more up righted even in my other car ('86 Toyota Corolla). Its really more of a suggestion. I don't know tho, it could just be that your legs are longer than mine. I would just say give it a try.

 

I would love to contribute something to this topic. If I could contribute part numbers, I would have posted them and not the question. I live in south florida where the dealers don't know anything and don't want to help, and it's not a big enough of an inconvenience for me to rack up international phone charges calling dealers overseas. I just figured since there are so many people here asking the question how to remove them, that someone in another country where the crossfires do not come with the bolster, they can just pick up the phone, call their dealer, and get the part numbers. Obviously, since I'm in the US, it is harder for me to get this kind of info. I'm not trying to start anything, or asking anyone to go out of their way for only me. Any input I would have given has already been said, so I'm not going to post information that is already there. I realized they were fused together when I was in the dash installing my system, but that info was already posted by the time I read this thread. Sorry if I came off like I was just mooching for info.

 

I removed my knee bolster. I have the factory removal sheet , but after you take the lower dash apart, you'll find the bolster melted in with what looks like plastic rivets. My advise is to carefully pry the damn thing off, but make sure you protect what your prying against.

 

post some pictures of what you managed to accomplish.

 

Please post a pic. My uncle has a crossfire too and he is taller than I am.
I would like to see what the lower panel will look like before I start breaking his car. Lol.

 

Yep, ditto on the pics.
Upload the removal sheet too please.

 

I took a shot at this because even though I fit fine, I do end up bumping the bolster when I slouch.

There are about 6 plastic welds that are very difficult to separate. They are like big (1" dia) plastic rivets that were inserted through holes on the panel and then melted flat. I tried melting the edges and prying them off and only got one loose. Then I got worried about how 6 open holes on the panel would look like and quit.

I'd love some info from anyone who has done this successfully!

 

Look back at post #31.
I had a look a long time ago, but I can't remember where the holes would be, and how visible they would be in normal everyday ingress & egress.
I haven't had time to go to the dealer and see if you can order the panel without the bolster on it.
We are still waiting on pics being posted, AND the factory removal sheet.

 

Just went up to the dealership at lunch, enquiring about whether the panel is available without the knee bolster on it.
The guy didn't come across as too intelligent, so I didn't waste my time.
Long story short... no mention of the knee bolster, and a new panel is about $400.

 

i have the removal sheet but my scanner is crap.
send me your address and i'll send you a copy of this sheet.

or you can do what i did, very carefully pry the damn thing off.

you only will break the plastic weld rivets that hold it on.

 

Could you please try to post a picture of the area with the panel removed.
It would be informative for many of us.
Thanks for any help.

 

trickpony31 was kind enough to mail me the destructions for the lower IP.
Thanks!