Does anyone know how to remove the bonnet lining without damaging it or the clips that hold it in place. Basically I am trying to take it of by removing the clips with the ability to put it back on in the future.

 

Just unscrew the little screw-tab things gently. They can strip out easily. I just put mine back in and most threaded in by hand, so they might come out that way too.

The two at the bottom of the hood scoop are metal. The rest are plastic. Don't drop them. This applies to an 06 and probably an 05, our 04 had a different hood liner.

 

Nothings easier than using the tool that was made for it.



I bought one of these years ago. I have used it on many vehicle types. Very nice for removing door panels too.

 

On the 06 if you use that you will break the fasteners.

 

oh...thanks!. I have used it on tons of vehicles. I'll leave it in the tool box when working on my Mini. Thanks!

 

Well there are probably tons of uses for it onthe Mini but the hood liner isn't one of them

 

Just rip the panels out, then buy extra yellow fasteners from the dealer if you ever put the panels back.

 

It doesn't look like the fasteners are the type that can be unscrewed. They look like they would have to be popped off. Maybe the way to do it would be to use that fastner removal tool if nothing else but to cleanly break the fastners without messing the liner up. Then if I want to put the old one back on I can just buy new fastners. Does this sound like the best option?

 

I can't remember from when I did this if they screw out or pop off (I can check tonight if you can wait) -- but I do remember I was able to take the liner off and replace it, without having to purchase a single fastener. . . don't just break them off

Remember to put a towel over your engine to catch any you drop. This saved me from having to fish around for 2 or 3 I dropped.

 

It's tax season so I won't be home until real late, so by default I'll wait to see what you find out about your fasteners Eager. That would be ideal if I was able to put the liner back on without buying any new fastners. Great idea about covering the engine!

 

i must have read something wrong, that happens when you spend too much time trying to study marketing and finance. I thought you were talking about interior panels. Heh heh. Anyway, I still think ripping and replacing tabs as needed is the way to go.

 

If they have a philips head looking top they can be unscrewed, if not you've got something different under there than I do.

 

Mine are definetly not philips.

 

Ok, then ignore everything I said, sorry!

you might need JohnJohn's tool

 

sorry, turbo, I can't help ya either. Mine are just as described by early apex. . . phillips head.

 

Well as usual I was very wrong. I also have philips fasteners. That's the problem with posting while at work; you can't go look at your MINI and double check things you thought you were sure about.

So removing the lining is ridiculously easy. The easiest way to do it is to unscrew the fastener partially and then pull the two pieces out together.

(Don't unscrew the plastic screw all the way out of the fastener. Just do it enough that the fastener will release and pull. This keeps things together in less pieces and less likely to lose anything. And it's just easier to pull it out with the screw attached and sticking out.)

I also did all the fasteners on the perimeter first and left the two middle ones for last so it would continue to hold itself up.

Taking the lining out took less than 10 minutes (really) and should take any more than that to put back on.