Dash panel / column problem

[tonyabacus]

I have an S4 Coupe which I just replaced dash wiring harness and put the dash panel back into the car.
However the actual steering column tube does not sit vertically into the dash correctly. There is only one position for the hooped bracket on the rear of the dash so can only be fitted in one position.But when the column is moved into the hoop to bolt the bottom half of the mounting, the column sits below the level of the bottom edge of the dash, not allowing the under trim panel to sit flat along the bottom of the dash panel.

Before removing the dash panel all seemed well, so perhaps I am missing a trick somewhere. Any thoughts?
Tony

[Lotusian]

Some photos would help us fully understand the problem

[jcocking]

Posts have been removed from this topic due to personal insults by a member.

[Ray419G]

Tony,

I have what sounds like a similar issue on my S4 Coupe. The steering column sits a little low in its slot in the dashboard leaving a bit of it projecting below the bottom edge of the dash. When I got the car it had no under dash trim on the drivers side so this problem only became apparent when I tried to fit a new under dash trim, which had to be cut away to clear where it clashed with the column. The dash, steering column and bracket are all original to the car, as far as I can tell, but without modifying the bracket or the dashboard I could not see a way to move the column any higher. I decided to leave it alone, but it has never seemed correct.

Ray.

[smo17003]

Tony,

Have you looked further down the column? Has the lower bracket moved at all? Also take a look at the U/J connection to the rack, does that seem to be running more or less straight, or is there a lot of deflection?

Perhaps someone more knowledgeable than me would know how much steering rack height and/or body mount height would affect the column at the dash.

Mike

[tonyabacus]

Ray & Mike
Ray, it sounds like we both have the same issue and I will see if I can get any clear shots and post them on here.
Mike
I will investigate as you suggest, but the problem is that the upper bracket screwed to the rear of the dash can only fit in one place and on mine the cutout in the dash and the bottom of the bracket are both in alignment. When the lower bracket is bolted up to the top backet there is approximately 1/4 inch gap between the dash and the top of the steering column, yet it is all bolted up tight.