Hey first time post, I purchased a BMW part from minimania that replaces the trim under the steering wheel that has a little shelf for storage. But the directions that came with it, doesn't clearly explain how to remove it.

I have an 03 cooper s and it's easy to pop the top out so it falls down, but there is a latch in the middle aswell. The sides easily pop off the hinges but the middle doesn't seem to come loose. I don't want to keep applying pressure since I've learned before, it's easy to break something.

The directions say something about the middle being different than the sides, but for some reason I'm having trouble.

Any ideas? thanks

 

Just grab it on both sides of the steering column and yank down hard and to the left and it will pop free. It is held by a hindge on the bottom.

 

yes, the top of the panel is easy to pop out but it pivots downward. I'm refering to the bottom part that is connected on the left, middle and the right. I can easily unhook the left and right, but for some reason the middle appeared differently and didn't come apart.

I'll try it again soon when I have the chance. Thnks

 

The new part probably attaches identically as the old part. If you look at the new part you will see that the left and right hooks face one direction and the middle hook the opposite direction. By studying the direction of the middle hook you should be able to determine which direction to yank the panel (basically, away from the opening of the hook). Takes a bit of force to get it to pop loose and even more finagling and force to put it back on.l

 

thanx, I thought that was the case but like I said, I didn't want to break anything. I'll try tomorrow and see what happens.