steering wheel bolts

[timspider]

I can tell this is simple because no one on the other threads says anything specific other than, "I just unbolted the column and dropped it down". So I am apparently the first guy to struggle with this. I'm trying to detach the 4 steering column nuts, per my shop manual which has crappy pictures that don't help at all.
The 2 bolts toward the top, nearest the wheel, look pretty straight forward, although one might need some sort of flex extension that of course I don't have.
But the lower 2, if I'm even looking at the right place given the worthlessness of the shop manual photo, don't even look like bolts. No idea how to get those 2 loose so I can drop the column and get dash removed.
In the pic, one bolt is removed- the one opposite it I will figure out with some little flexy extension, but the other 2, the rusty ones that seem to sit on little slide plates. How the heck do I get those loose?

other side

[BEEK]

the back 2 bolts, were a torque to yeld bolt, the head snaps off when the bolt reached a certain torque, is this important, i feel no. the biggest thing about those bolts is the special washers that they use. those are designed to support the columb but yeld in the event of a hard crash, allowing the steering wheel to rotate upward and away from the driver. the bolts can easily removed with a pair of vice grips and replace with a 6x1 bolt of similar length. just make sure the washers are oriented correctly

[timspider]

thank you beek that helps. next stupid question.
i have the vice grips. grab that round thing and then what? Is there a bolt head on the opposite, invisible side that I need to get a wrench on?
it doesn't feel like a bolt. I'm about to get a sledge hammer to fix this crap.

[Tuc124]

Time spider: just did what you are doing. I used a 10mm 1/4" drive socket with a two inch extension. Didn't need a flex. I did have to use a hammer and screw driver to flatten out the tab washers to get the socket on them. Then bent them back when I reinstalled. There are captured nuts on the top that slide back and forth. Kind of tricky locating them when reinstalling but you'll get it.

Blair

[toyfiats]

In the pic, one bolt is removed- the one opposite it I will figure out with some little flexy extension, but the other 2, the rusty ones that seem to sit on little slide plates. How the heck do I get those loose?

I have never removed those, nor found a need to. The tabs bend easily, so the weight of the column, perhaps with a little tug, and the column just drops down. At reinstallation, the tabs can be bent back.

[Tuc124]

I had to remove them and drop the column in order to pull the instrument panel out on my '69. Maybe the earlier models had less clearance.

[BEEK]

the nut is captive, all you have to do is turn the round head as if it were a standard bolt

[timspider]

Thanks everyone. I think I got it. Getting it back together may be another issue, but not going to worry about that yet.
good stuff

[fiat218]

I had to remove them and drop the column in order to pull the instrument panel out on my '69. Maybe the earlier models had less clearance.

I have never drop my steering to remove the instrument panel on my 69 or 80
I see no reason too, I have taking it out,I can't even tell you how many times, no issues