I am really really beginning to regret buying the next generation of Skoda from my MK2 Octavia, it was against my better judgement (bored & needed a project) and the thing is far worse than I could ever have imagined, in every area that I am working on the vehicle is so unlike the predecessors that were made to be worked on and repaired, this is made to be assembled and never to come apart, its a throwaway mass produced consumer item, heaven help any of you if you have to pay a garage to replace a simple often broken part like a headlight or column stalk switch. Rant over.

 

The dashboard is finally released and would come out but I need to remove the stalk switches or at the very least the LH one will become snapped off in the process.

 

Amazingly from what I can see with close up glasses the assembly is clamped in place by the steering lock assembly which is secured by two tamper proof shear head bolts.

 

Now whilst I could remove them with an angle grinder or punch/chisel the dash has to be removed to gain access, chicken & egg 😧

 

Unless I am mistaken a Skoda dealer would have to cut apart and remove the dashboard to then cut the steering lock barrel off to replace the switch assembly, a couple of days labour and a new dashboard and rattles, leaking air vents etc for life.

 

If I could just remove the LH stalk from the switch I could get the dash out with care and a carefull helper, I can remove a retaining collar clip but it looks like the switch body would have to come apart for the lever to disengage from its pivots and I'm sure loads of tiny springs and contacts would shoot out everywhere.

 

Does anyone have any idea how to progress, Techie perhaps?

Edited 22 September, 20196 yr by J.R.

Panic over, a cup of coffee, a cooler head and a magnifying glass reveals 3 hidden clips requiring 3 hands to release and the the assembly slides off the column leaving the other mating part secured in place by the steering lock.

 

Now to try and lift the dash out without a helper and not break anything!