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Old 04-14-2019, 09:52 AM   #2
John Firestone
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chevale View Post
... This is a part that suppose to protect driver's knees in case of the accident. After 20+ years it became hard like a stone.
It probably has always been that way and is still not so hard in a severe crash.

Far be it from me to discourage a fun mod, but the knee bolster addresses safety deficiencies revealed by an NCAP crash test of a Euro E36 sedan without the bolster. From the report you can download:

Quote:
... The driver's left knee struck the lower facia to the left of the steering column. Protection for that knee, thigh and pelvis was down-rated from 'good' to 'marginal': if the knee had impacted in a slightly different position horizontally or vertically, it could have hit the steering column or its adjuster locking bracket. The steering column, its adjuster or its mounting bracket could also have caused localised knee injuries.

The driver's right knee struck the facia to the right of the steering column. Protection for the knee, thigh and pelvis was down-rated from 'weak' to 'poor': if this knee had been in a slightly different position, it could have struck a steering column stabilisation tube or a facia support bracket. Such rigid structures could also have been hit if the knee had penetrated the facia further. Furthermore, the column adjuster or facia brackets could have produced localised injury, as could the brake pivot or column stabilising tube....
That was wearing a seat belt.

Last edited by John Firestone; 04-14-2019 at 10:05 AM.
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