Anyone have pictures on how to remove the dash trim pieces when installing a Kuda GPS mount? The passenger side is the "secret compartment" door. How do you remove the plastic trim pieces so you have acess to the screws that hold the speedometer and vent cover? I read somewhere the driver-side is held in with clips and all you have to do is pull? Where and how hard? The directions from Kuda are not very good? I called the dealer and no one was sure of how to remove the dash trim pieces? Here are pictures of the trim pieces I am refering to.

Thanks.

 

well i can help you on the driver side cover. i ran my tomtom's wire under there, so what i did was, lower the steering wheel as low as it goes and pull the wheel out, so you have enough space between the wheel and the cover. then get a firm grip on both ends. wiggle one end while pulling, and it should just come undone. wasnt a hard tug or anything. then repeat again for the othe side. as for the secrete compartment, mine is still sealed untill tomorrow. so sorry cant help you there.
i hope this helps.

 

Thanks! Anyone know about the secret compartment side?

 

I guess no one has done this yet?

 

This is really a tough work. In order to remove the speedo, removing the secret compartment is not enough. There are two secret screws holding the speedo from the top. They are located inside the upper grill which is located over the dashboard in the middle. There are caps inside the grille and you have to remove the caps to reach the screws.
Then you'll have to remove the vertical center console covers on both side to reach the other screws.

For the secret compartment side, when the lid is open there is a plastic cover/surrounding next to the air vent. Just pry it with a flat screwdriver and be careful not to crack it. After removing the plastic cover you'll see the screw holding the air vent.
The speedo cover comes completely with the air vents located on both sides.

If you want to remove the compartment completely there is another plastic cover on the opposite/right side of the compartment. You'll have to remove that one as well.

I hope this helps.

 

Sounds like the Mini has more secrets than the CIA

 

My dash was totally apart when they installed the secret compartment box, the took the passanger pillar first undo the 2 screws and then un screw lots of pieces from there, but the A pillar on the passager side has to come off first.

 

Thanks everyone. I do not need to remove the actual speedometer. I just need to remove the speedometer cover. I was able to remove the trim piece on the driverside (the Fluid Silver one) and the black trim piece to the left of the opening of the secret compartment by pulling up on the pieces. It looks like the speedometer trim ring, the left and right vent trim rings are all one piece? There are 2 screws per side next to each vent. The vent trim ring to the left of the speedometer trim ring and the vent trim ring to the right of the speedometer are attached to the speedometer trim ring. The bottom of the speedometer trim ring seems to be loose after removing the 2 screws on each side of the left and right vents. The top is still screwed in to something? The top of the speedometer where the hazzard light switch is seems to be the area where it is still attached? How do you get to the screws? Are they screws or clips? If there are screws remaining, how do you get to them? Do you remove the large vent grill in the center of the dash that is just behind the hazzard light switch? How do you remove the center vent grill behind the hazzard light switch? I think by prying up with a thin plastic pry tool but I am not really sure? If the center vent trim on top of the dassh does pop off by prying are the screws easy to get to? Any advice?

 

The cover is attached from the top as well. The screws are inside center vent grill. But you won`t remove the grill.
You will notice two caps on each side of the grill. The caps are part of the grill so you have to look carefully. Just pry them with a screwdriver and there it is. The screws are staying with an angle facing the forward of the car so you should give angle to the torx key as well.

 

Hattat,
Thanks for the really quick response! I think I noticed what you are describing? The caps that cover the 2 screws for the center vent, they are made to look like the vent fins? I think the caps are located in the first row of vent fins facing the back of the car on left and right side of the vent? I will take a look this morning when there is some light.

One other thing, do you know how to remove the dash piece that the glovebox latch is in? It is the piece that is directly under the secret compartment, between the glovebox. The piece directly under the door for the secret compartment. I dropped a torx bit down into the area where the glovebox latch is as I was removing the lower screw for the right side vent trim ring. The bit dropped down to the left of the chrome oval latch that opens the glovebox. I think the bit is lodged in the area just left of the oval latch for the glovebox? It looks like there is a screw just behind the vent trim ring on the left side and another screw on the right side that you get to from inside the glovebox? Am I correct and am I missing anything?

Thanks again!

 

Yes!

I think you mention the knee pads where the oval latch is.
Screws holding it are located underneath the pad. They are accassible from the glovebox.
When you open the glovebox you will see them under the pad. There should be some more screws under the speedo cover and right air vent.

 

I can't seem to get the driver side trim off. I've tugged and tugged and no luck. Also, anyone happen to know how to get the door trim off? I'm trying to paint the interior trim pieces.

 

I'm still trying to paint the interior trim on my dash and doors (checkered flag stuff) and I'm stuck at the door pieces. I went to the dealership and they said that they think I have to take the entire door panel off to get the trim pieces off. Does anyone know if this is the only way? I'd be surprised if I was the first NAM'er to paint my interior trim pieces, so someone's gotta be able to offer some help. I'm supposed to go back in Monday when another tech is at work to see if he can do it. Any help would be great. Thanks!

 

Unfortunately they are correct

 

I yanked and the pieces came off, you have to pop a clip also on the lower door handle, there are no screws to remove, i cant find them

The pieces pull off pretty easily, there is a locating pin in the surround of the door handle. They all just yank off, be careful not to break anything. Get a few extra body clips or so, there are a LOT of them on the door!!!