Removing GTi cabriolet dash and kneebar

I'm in a weird chicken-and-egg situation with removing the dash and the knee bar. I have removed the dash cluster and all bolts using the excellent guide on here, but i can't remove the bottom screws as the lower dash is in the way.

I need to remove the kneebar and lower dash, but it looks like it's held in place under the lower part of the upper dash.

So … I can't remove the upper dash because of the kneebar and I can't remove the kneebar because of the upper dash.
 

Any help would be most appreciated 

The Knee bar has 2 13mm Bolta and 2 13mm nuts per side holing it in place. You loosen the Nuts and remove the bolts on each side.  If you remove the Side vents and Tubes Behind them then you can see the bolts and possibly get to them via the holes.

Going back you can leave the screws out, and just move the kneebar against the Dash, then tighten the nuts on the sides, and replace the bolts.



How to remove your vents safely.
Cold Hands\ Whistleing Vents? | Volkswagen Owners Club Forum

You will also need to remove your lower cluster assembly and move t off to one side to lower your Knee bar.
Once it is out of the way you can get the knee bar lowered to get to the screws.


 

Ah OK, that makes sense. This is a bigger job than I thought, hopefully I'll get time to revisit this week.

Thanks Briano1234

Also, thanks for the link on replacing the vent seals. Mine had fallen apart and blocked the vents so it was good to get the vents out, cleaned and replace the seals.

Are knee bars only in Cabriolet? or are they in all Mk 1's, I have a '84 GTI tin top with no kneebar

Yes only cabriolet, not in tin tops, I have both and can confirm.

Thanks Carl appreciate the info.

Just wanted to confirm as i was watching a dash removal video of a USA GTI and it had a metal bar running along the where the knee bar is and it wasnt a cabriolet