no.

some sort of anti theft attempt, not safety related.

BTW, I was recently given a VW training doc "Sicherheit in VW-Nutzfahrezeugen". Shows all the safety structures in the van. In the steering column, those two straps that run up from upper column bracket to front of dash (the straps that run either side of brake booster) are integral parts of the collapsing design (as is the "break away" coupling at the bottom of the column).

alistair

On 2012-05-07, at 2:18 PM, jeff ensing wrote:

> It is my understanding that these bolts are a shear bolt to aid in
> directing the column in an accident .
> 
> On Mon, May 7, 2012 at 3:26 PM, Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@gmail.com
>> wrote:
> 
>>>> Vice-gripping a round bolt head is not my favorite way to
>>>> remove/install bolts.
>>> 
>>> But the fact that you *can* demonstrates the pointlessness of using
>>> the bolts. VW think they have to be drilled out.
>> 
>> VW are optimistic.
>> 
>> Thanks, all!
>> 
>> 
>> --
>> Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
>> Bend, Ore.
>> 1984 Westfalia. A poor but proud people.
>> 1971 "Ladybug"-brand utility trailer ca. 1972 from a defunct company in
>> San Clemente, Calif., now repurposed as The Westrailia.
>> 
>> On 05/07/2012 11:17 AM, David Beierl wrote:
>> 
>>> At 01:53 PM 5/7/2012, Rocket J Squirrel wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Other than the heads, are there anything magical about these bolts?
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> The price.
>>> 
>>> Can I just bang in a couple of regular bolts?
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> Yes. M8x1.25
>>> 
>>> Vice-gripping a round bolt head is not my favorite way to
>>>> remove/install bolts.
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> But the fact that you *can* demonstrates the pointlessness of using the
>>> bolts. VW think they have to be drilled out.
>>> 
>>> Yrs,
>>> d
>>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> --
> Jeff Ensing
> Ensing Remodeling
> 3327 Hidden Acres Drive
> Atlanta, Ga. 30340
> 678-549-8430