For those that have removed the pillars
 

I just did my wife's '02 cooper's headliner in suede. One of the clips/straps that hold the pillars on when the airbag deploys broke. I went to the dealer and they told me that I'd have to buy a new pillar!:mad: I know I've read on here a bunch of times people cutting theirs off and being able to purchase them individually. So does anyone have a part number, or maybe the official part name. TIA:)

These?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...98&hg=51&fg=40

I think so. I'm looking for the strap-thingy with the metal clip sown on.

the clips you can buy, but i dont think the straps are sold separate. which pillar broke? if only one A pillar broke, u still have 2 clips holding it in, so i wouldnt worry too much.

too bad i threw away my old pillar straps when i replaced mine with anthracite.

The pillars really aren't that expensive, the C-pillar was about 38.00, the B-pillar was about 42.00 and the A-pillar was about 29.00

-Chase

I just used the pillars minus one strap. How bad could that really be? If it's the a-pillar you could take one off the c-pillar to replace it or vice-versa.

Thanks all. I just ended up using the old clips/straps. They went in fine w/o any play. I just figured that I'd use new ones for a piece of mind that incase of an accident, my wife or I don't get an A-pillar in our grills!:razz: I went to the dealer and the new A-pillars were $50 a piece! Not to mention I found this out after doing the old pillar in suede. Oh well...

Classic MINI in Cleveland is your friend.. they give us NAM members a 20% discount. One of the best places to buy oem parts.

you did nothing wrong...
 

I was reading in the BMW TIS manual it says to have a set of new pillars ready. They are meant to be broken when removed to install a new headliner. Hope that makes you feel better!

Can someone tell me how to REMOVE these pillars?? esp the airbag ones.. I im doing my headliner and dont want this airbag to deploy on me!

Undo the battery and wait a few minutes. The airbag won't go off with out power.:thumbsup:

SOB.. im trying to pull these off without breaking them... any hints?? its like I can get part of it to come of.. then not the other part... anyone have pictures of what these darn pillars look like on the backside? or where the clips are?

The pillars are fabricated to blow off upon airbag discharge. I don't really know if there is a right way to do it. You may want to price and/or order another set before you proceed.