I need some help. I was working on my Mini today.. I had to remove the lower dashboard piece on the driver's side. There are two "studs" on the upper side and 3 bolts on the lower side. When I went to put it back, one of the studs broke. I know, I should've known better, I thought it was properly lined up when I tried to knock it in place. Anyway, I'm looking for some help/advice on how I can fix it. Any ideas/suggestions?

Thanks.

Doug

 

Doug - how did you remove the lower part of the dash? I was attempting to do it today, but couldnt figure it out! I found the three screws by the floor - but what else do you do!

Please help!

Thanks,

Jeff

 

If they are the same things that hold the rear panels, you can get them from your dealer. I got a bunch of them when I did the rear-seat delete.



https://www.northamericanmotoring.co....php?p=1815172

 

Thanks Robin.. but I meant the dashboard.. Under the steering column..

Jeff, you remove the 3 screws then pull hard. There are two clips on the top corners (basically they're "studs" that fit into clips)..

Doug

 

Robin,

Can you explain how to take off the lower dash piece (drivers side)? I got the three screws off, but I cannot figure out how to pull it off from the top? Do I just yank?

Thanks,

Jeff

EDIT: THANKS DOUG!

 

I've not removed the lower dash panels. There is a thread in the Interior/Exterior Mods forum about someone changing the color of them with vinyl paint. There may be instructions there. Most panels in the MINI do just pull off after any screws have been removed.

I can tell you about the door arm rests, the mid-dash panels (English Oak, Piano Black, etc.), the A pillars, or any panel in the back, but not the vinyl panels on the dash. Many panels in the MINI use similar plastic snap connectors. I would be surprised if you couldn't get all MINI connectors from your dealer.

 

My car came with this piece "loose." It wouldn't always stay clipped in those 2 clips at the top. I would push them back in, sometimes it would hold for a day or two, other times only minutes.

I had the dealer fix it while doing some other things and they said the clips were damaged. The clips in the those holes/slots in the dash that the trim panel snaps into. I had looked at the clips and never notice them being damaged in any way.

Once they fixed it, the panel is secured much tighter against the dash; pushed in farther than I was ever able to do.

If you broke the tab of the dash piece you could try some glue (super, or gorilla glue). The clips hold tight though, I don't know if any kind of glue is going to hold it. You might need to come up with an alternative mounting. Maybe double sided tape strip some where? If the clip that tab pops into is not working you could get a new one from a dealer.

You are referring to the "knee" panel, just below the steering wheel right?

Once the screws are out of the bottom, get your hand in under the steering column and pull. In each top corner is a plastic tab that slips into a metal clip. It will take some force, but be careful, they are just plastic tabs.

 

Hmmm, I was gonna dive under there this weekend and try to stop one of my two rattles (it's this dash piece you guys are referring to). When I put some pressure on the panel, the rattle stops, but when I let go, and I'm driving on less-than-mirror-smooth surface, it rattles again.

 

That's exactly what mine was doing. At times on very bumpy roads it sounded like a dogs squeak toy. When you put pressure on the panel, are you actually moving the panel? Mine was clearly not clipped in all the way. You could see the top edge "corner" under the color line of the dash. After the dealer fixed it, this edge was pushed under the color line, meaning the whole panel was tighter in the dash. The clips on mine were broken keeping it from pushing in as far as it should have been.

I have the OEM driving lights and this panel was removed at the port to install the switch/wiring. They broke the clips removing it. Why they didn't replace the I don't know since it was a simple fix for the dealer.

Take a picture of the top edge right below the color line if you can. I can tell you if it's clipping in far enough from the picture.

 

Maybe this parts diagram may help.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...31&hg=51&fg=30
ChubbyCheckers on this forum turned me on to this parts site.

 

I had the drivers side knee panel off when I did my driving lights install. It was tight. Before I replaced, I lightly lubricated those pins with a little Silicone lubricant. Now they line up easily and pop in/out with little effort.

 

You guys are awesome. I gave the knee panel a bit of a shove, and some plastic-on-plastic screeching later, the stud got seated back in the little socket, and the rattle is gone!

 

I had that part off the other day. You need part number, 51452756286, CLIP RETAINER. They're about a buck apiece, plus any programming fees.