Are there any tricks to reinstalling the C pillar covers? I removed mine to run my XM antenna and can't sem to get them to line up and snap in. TIA.

rob and the Blue Shifted MINI

 

Bad form to reply to your own post, but...

Reinstallation required a considerable amount of wiggling the covers to get the fasteners to line up with the holes. It helps to not get frustrated.

rob and the Blue Shifted MINI

 

I wouldn't say so, you found an answer and you posted it. I would say that is great form! I'm glad you got it back in place correctly.

 

Ok, I see how you got them back on, how did you get them off?

 

I'm surprised that you were able to get them back on; I was not, and tried for a very long time. Although they are close, they aren't right. I am under the impression that they are not meant to be removed and reinstalled; something to do with the side-curtain air bag system.

 

Pop out the little airbag logo on the top. I used a hard plastic spatula to avoid tearing up the cover. There is a T10 (I think) Torx screw behind the cover. After removing the screw the cover is held in place by two plastic push pins about halfway down; there are also three tabs that locate the bottom of the cover to the lower trim. It seems like you will break the cover when removing it, but I removed the cover safely. When reinstalling it took quite a bit of fiddling to get the push pins to line back up.

I was doing this to run my XM antenna from the roof to the front of the car. After doing all this work I was told that the factory Sirius antenna terminates under the front passenger seat and will work with XM as well. You just need an adapter/extension cable.

rob and the Blue Shifted MINI

 

Maybe not, but there is quite a bit of stuff under the covers that may require access. Also, the covers need yo be removed to access the antenna area of the car (unless you really want to bend up your headliner).

rob and the Blue Shifted MINI