LHD (pre-facelift) Dash Fitment Issues. Help!

[Wes]

Ok brains trust what am I missing? I'm doing some work on a 1971 car and for the life of me I can't get the 2 x panels that seat underneath the steering column to fit. I have a 20-30mm gap between the top of the under steering column cover and the bottom of the grab rail - for both cover panels.
The car was in pieces and missing some parts, so I'm open to all ideas as to what's going on.
I also realise factory fitment wasn't great. In no order I see the following as potentially the issue, or an interplay of a couple of issues.

As can be seen in the above pic the cover panel is snug but I have a massive gap on either side of the steering column.

Assumption 1. There is no difference in the steering column or the cover plate. I realise later cars have an adjustable one but that isn't a factor here.
Assumption 2. There is no difference in the under steering column cover panel ( am I wrong on this?).

I'm thinking the grab rail may be the issue. The below pic shows one in another 1971 car. Note how the rebate for the headlight switch has the angular rebate.

And yes that's a factory flame orange e12..

The car I'm working on doesn't have a grab rail like this, I'm wondering if it should?

It simply has a round hole with a circular rebate around it for the headlight switch above the button to open the panel for the fuse box.

I'm wondering if this grab rail i(in the picture) s also deeper, as that would solve the issue.

Been scratching my head on this for days. I keep coming back to the following as the only options.

1. I have an incorrect grab rail, (I'm guessing post face lift) which is shallower meaning that the under dash cover panels will not marry up correctly.
2. There are differences in the under steering column, which means it will not fit.
3. There are differences in the metal cover plate under the steering column and I have wrong one - seems unlikely.
4. I'm drunk- pretty sure that's not it.

Ideas?

 

[eriknetherlands]

I'm struggling to understand where your gap is; is it this:

?

There are some differences to the grab rail and the non-adjustable under steering wheel cover but as far as I know the differences are only in placement of knobs and switches, and not their overall shape/size.

My car is not assembled, so I can't check, but as this gap (in my pic with red lines) is completely hidden from view, can't it actually be the right condition?
Can other members with an intact car take a similar pic?

 

[Wes]

You have identified the gap correctly. I have a degree of adjustment for the steering column via the 4 bolts. I also also have some adjustment for the glove box cover but the vinyl under steering column cover is a mile out of alignment.

 

[Wes]

Bump.
Had another look at this today. Here is my thinking.

Pedal box has to align to the bolt holes in the firewall and the metal dash support - that cannot move.

Steering column has to bolt to holes in the steering column (noting there is 10mm of adjustment - again that cannot move.

My glove box aligns perfectly to the grab rail - that tells me the dash alignment must be ok.

The under dash steering column cover plate (plastic) has no adjustment - that cannot be the issue- unless it differs for the pre/post facelift?

Fuse box cover has minimal adjustment - cant be the issue.

The metal cover plate for the bottom of the steering column could be an issue. It that had a slightly different contour it would allow the gap under the grab rail to disappear. Do we know if that part varied pre/post facelift, or for the E3?

These are the only two things that it can be. Has me stumped.

 

[TomHom]

Compare:
The lower metal cover should have a length of 205mm. It's metal, not plastic!!

 

[eriknetherlands]

...

The under dash steering column cover plate (plastic) has no adjustment - that cannot be the issue- unless it differs for the pre/post facelift?

I know that (at least) 2 versions of the under dash panel exist; one for the fixed steering column and one for the height adjustable steering column. Both are a metal plate with foam and vinyl skin. As far as I know they are interchangeable.

@TomHom , do you know if there is a third version of that part, with possibly different dimensions?

 

[TomHom]

....for the adjustable column both parts are different. The upper lower part is made from plastic with an opening for the handle
The upper upper part is made from metal.
Note the trim line is a single strip, whereas on the non-adjustable column this comes as a two-piece-strip.
I have no knowledge of a third version of the lower part, at least not for E9.
This is the non-adjustable column

 

[ScottAndrews]

My experience here is from an E-12 based 635, but the steering column arrangement seems to be very similar, if not exactly the same. The upper cover is metal, and aligns with the column itself, and, as you noted, it cannot move. The lower cover is plastic and is held on with some cheese-head screws (flat wide cylindrical head with a slot).
The trim piece below the column fits snugly to the column trim, pretty much as you have shown.

Your comment that the grab rail aligns with the glove box indicates that the non-driver side seems to be properly aligned.

BTW, your post title says LHD, but the photos look more like a RHD car.

So it seems like the grab rail is mis-positioned on the driver side of the car. I would think this would be pretty obvious at the point where the grab rail meets the A-Pillar trim. Does that fit smoothly and look the same left vs right? I am also assuming you installed the dash, so are you certain that the dash itself, and therefore the mounts for the grab rail are far enough forward? On the early E-12 635, the front of the instrument panel (dash board) engages some metal clips. These hold the front of the dash down and sort of secure it fore and aft (although the real mechanical attachment is via screws under the dash, and behind various dash trim panels). As I recall, getting that positioned was a PITA. If the dash did not properly engage these clips then it would sit too far aft, and produce the situation you are seeing. Are you certain the front of the panel (dash) is properly located against the body and window seal up at the front?

 

[TomHom]

.....are you using the RHD pedal box on the left side!?

This is the mounting position RHD.

....and this for the LHD in a RHD car

....and in a LHD car .
Different positions, different pedal boxes

These long holes allow adjustment of the column. In which position is your column?
Is the lower half of the steering rod already connected to the steering gear?