Marc,
1.  Shear bolts are bolts with a gripping head that breaks off at a specific
torque.  I believe this is done as a theft deterrent.
2.  Replace with new shear bolts from dealer or FLAPS.
3.  I don't know a specific procedure but I would start with a small drill
and move up until at least the head of the bolt is gone.  You have to be
careful not to damage the threads in the mating components.

That is all I know.  Best of luck
Patrick
'85 Westy

----- Original Message -----
From: Marc Perdue <marcperdue@adelphia.net>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2000 11:52 AM
Subject: Shear Bolts?

> Hi all,
>
> I'm in the middle of removing my dash to fix the heater blower fan
> bearings, and a few other things long as I'm in there.  On page 70.5 of
> my Bentley manual (for my '87 Westy), the instructions say that, in
> order to get the steering column out, I need to drill out the shear
> bolts that attach it just below the ignition switch.
>
> My questions:
> 1. What are shear bolts?
> 2. If I drill these out, what do I replace them with and where do I get
> them?
> 3. What is the recommended procedure for doing this?  Any particular
> size constraints on the drill bit?
> 4. Are they like rivets where you use a small bit to drill out the
> center then the rest just comes apart?
> 5. Is there a special tool that is required to re-install these shear
> bolts?
>
> Think I'll go install the speakers in the front doors while I await word
> from you all.  I'd hate to think of drilling those shear bolts out just
> to find that I'd need to take the van somewhere to get them replaced . .
> .  :^)
>
> Thanks all,
> Marc Perdue
>