WHAT IS THIS!? Steering column 'bolts'

[wetminkey]

,...these damned REAR steering column fasteners!? No idea how to remove them (to replace with proper fasteners),...
Bolts in the front, weird stuff in the rear. Factory,...as far as I know.

Bent them while removing/installing the instrument panel, so the tabs that are bent down used to be horizontal.
1.) How do I get them out?
2.) What to replace them with, once I do?
Any ideas? I have never seen this type of fastener before.
Thanks, Todd.

[NGK]

I just took out the bolts and that gave it enough play they just popped off don't know if that helps.

[dinghyguy]

there was a post a while ago about them, perhaps steering column or ? was the topic....i seem to recall they were bolts and the owner removed them and replaced them with standard bolts, but not sure.
dinghyguy

[wetminkey]

First,...when I found that there is no way to remove them (head is a round button, and the 'non-fastener' fits tightly into the rectangular recess, just above it), I removed the front two bolts to gain clearance for dash removal, but then (at some point, with dash out) I leaned on the column slightly, and the light force bent the side tabs downward.
There is no way to grip the head, and they will not turn in the recess. I think I see threads on the far side, but it sounds like I'm going to have to injure myself again, crawling under the steering column, to be able to figure these out further.
I'll whip out a pair of my Vice-Grips,...
Thanks, guys,...more if I figure them out.

[wetminkey]

Info from other Fiat folks:
"The square washer with wings is a "Steering Column Indexing Plate Washer" - Bayless has them for $2.79. I think the wings are the breakaway part that allows the column to pivot upward about the front connectors in a collision."
"the original bolts were a break away head, once the proper torque was reached the bolt shaped head broke off. Same as the ignition switch bolts on the x1/9 and 131 type switches."
So,...I'll get 'em out, save the rectangular washer to help align the steering column, and replace with hex-headed bolts.
Hope that helps someone else,...
Thanks for the help, all. The mystery is no more! Todd.

[wetminkey]

Piece of cake!
Vice-Grips with a finer tip will back out the fine-threaded, round-headed 'bolt' (M6, via another Spider owner, and that's what I measure) - a little more difficult on the passenger's side, due to the ignition switch,...but they're not horribly tight, and there's JUST enough room to work. Didn't even hurt myself!
There's a lockwasher on each. And the rectangular washer has a larger, lighter-metal rectangular plate spot welded to it (that's the part that I bent). I simply pounded the side tabs of the rectangular washer (the ends of the plate) flat, and I'll reinstall it, and the lockwasher, with new, hex-headed M6 bolts.
Hope that helps someone, someday,...

[unkelkennie]

I used a small cut off wheel to make a slot and used a slotted screw driver on a 69 124