Removing and installing left trim panel on driver side — VW
Removing and installing left trim panel on driver side on VW: 10 steps, 3 torque figures. What to remove, what to tighten and to how many Nm, what to.
The left trim panel on the driver side, the one carrying the light switch and headlight range control, is a short interior job on the platform codes listed below. With the ignition off, the dash panel end trim comes off, then the light switch is pressed in, turned to vertical and pulled out so its plug can be disconnected. The steering column gap cover is released from the dash panel without stripping the whole column trim, the storage compartment is pulled out, and three groups of small bolts are removed before the trim is released and the range control plug is unhooked. These bolts go into plastic and take a very low torque, so overtightening is the usual way to spoil the job. Fit them back in the specified order.
🧭 Before you start
Switch off the ignition and remove the dash panel end trim and light switch. Release the steering column gap cover, pull out the storage compartment and remove bolts (2), (3) and (4). Release the trim and disconnect the headlight range control. On refit, install the bolts in the order (2), (3), (4) and tighten each to 1.5 Nm.
Fits: platform code 137
Don't miss
- Press the light switch in and turn it vertical before pulling; it does not lever out.
- No need to remove the complete steering column trim, just release the gap cover.
- All trim bolts take 1.5 Nm and must go in in the sequence (2), (3), (4).
- Reconnect the headlight range control plug before clipping the trim home.
Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.
🔩 Torque settings
Values can differ between engine variants — check the code stamped on your block.
| Torque | Fastener / step |
|---|---|
| 1.5 Nm (1.1 lb-ft) | Remove the two bolts (2 |
| 1.5 Nm (1.1 lb-ft) | Remove the two bolts (3 |
| 1.5 Nm (1.1 lb-ft) | Unscrew bolt (4 |
ℹ️ Always cross-check the exact figure against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening — a wrong torque can damage the engine. These values are extracted from workshop data and may not cover every variant or revision.
📋 Procedure
- Switch off ignition.
- Remove dash panel end trim on driver side .
- Press light switch forwards, turn it to the right (until it is vertical), then pull it out and disconnect wiring harness.
- Release steering column gap cover from dash panel . There is no need to remove the complete steering column trim.
- Pull storage compartment (1) out of mountings.
- Remove the two bolts (2) (1.5 Nm). — 1.5 Nm (1.1 lb-ft)
- Remove the two bolts (3) (1.5 Nm). — 1.5 Nm (1.1 lb-ft)
- Unscrew bolt (4) (1.5 Nm). — 1.5 Nm (1.1 lb-ft)
- Release trim from dash panel and disconnect wiring harness from headlight range control regulator.
- Install in reverse order of removal. [Note: During installation, bolts must be installed in the sequence (2), (3) and (4) (1.5 Nm).]
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Who makes these pages, and how
TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.
The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.
Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.
Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com
The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.