Removing the dash around steering wheel

[kmantexas]

2000 Carrera 4 Cabriolet

Does anyone know how to remove the dashboard around the steering wheel? More specifically, I need to get to the part immediately below the steering column. I've located a rattle there, but there is not enough clearance under the dash to either view or repair the part making the noise.

The part making the rattle is a flat metal sheet immediately under the steering column. It's about 14 inches across and maybe 9 inches wide and is mounted at the same sloping angle of the steering column. It appears to be about 1/4" thick and I believe it's rattling with itself and not rubbing on another part. It sounds like it might sound if you left your metal toolbox lid unlocked in the floorboard, and it just makes noise because it's not latched down.

I tried shooting pictures, but it's impossible to see from the driver's side footwell. Maybe someone knows what this part is for--I can't find it on any of the parts diagrams or catalogs.

The next thing to try is taking off the dash pieces and looking at it from there. Is there a how-to somewhere on how to do this?

[Alfieboy]

In the DIY Section immediatly below this there is a definitive guide for removing the dash.