After putting sound deadener under the dash cap and quieting the plastic panel in front of the dash cap (I no longer want to drive it off a cliff), I now notice squeaking coming from the panel under the steering column on my 2002 R53.

I've searched but come up empty on how to remove that panel.

Any suggestions before I start breaking clips and such?

 

FAQ: How to remove interior bits

 

Put your hand under the steering column and on top of the left and right sides of the panel - and push down.

 

That panel is hinged on the bottom with metal push pins at the top corners where the panel hits the trim between the panel and the black plastic dash trim. If you "pull" in the wrong place can separate the inner panel that has the pins from the outer panel that you see. I am trying to think back if you could use a small allenhead to push in, then turn 90 degrees and pull with a vise grip.

 

In my experience, you have to provide a little 'thump' to get it open - and it might hop off the lower hinge, but I have not seen it break. You could always put blankets or something to catch it on the way down and soften the bounce - maybe to prevent it from hopping off the lower hinge.

Tools to pry the panels apart could work better (to prevent the bounce) - but may also damage the panel.

 

Ah the days of a metal dash held together with screws.