At 00:06 6/18/2000, Karl Wolz wrote:
>My understanding is that the bolts shear off at a particular torque to meet
>safety requirements.  If under-tightened, they will work loose and you'll
>have the steering column flopping around in your lap.  If over-tightened, in
>the event of a front end collision, they will not allow the steering column
>to move and you will be at risk of greater bodily harm.
>
>Karl Wolz

Karl, those bolts are bolted to two flimsy little straps that keep the
wheel from falling into your lap.  If you give it a big push they will just
fold up, as I'm sure they were intended to do.  The bolts can be
overtorqued or finger-tight, it's not going to make a difference what
happens.  Take your dash off and take a look some day when you've nothing
better to do <g>

david
David Beierl - Providence, RI
  http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
'85 GL "Poor Relation"