Dashboard Removal—Steering Wheel Column Trim

[Fresh1179]

So....I made the mistake of being anal retentive and I’m in the process of pulling my dash to get the full radio harness out. Everything so far has gone well, with the obvious exception of fractured BMW plastic. I’m at removal of the telescoping steering column trim, specially the lower trim. I’ve watched some videos that have referenced tabs on the side, and other showing the circle rivet style attachments on the underside. I would like to avoid another evening ECS purchase. How do I remove this thing!?

Thanks Guys!


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[eacmen]

So....I made the mistake of being anal retentive and I’m in the process of pulling my dash to get the full radio harness out. Everything so far has gone well, with the obvious exception of fractured BMW plastic. I’m at removal of the telescoping steering column trim, specially the lower trim. I’ve watched some videos that have referenced tabs on the side, and other showing the circle rivet style attachments on the underside. I would like to avoid another evening ECS purchase. How do I remove this thing!?

Thanks Guys!


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There are two plastic rivets that you need to push in the center of and the rivet will drop down. Just get a phillips head screw driver in there and tap the center of the rivet and it will come out easily.

[Fresh1179]

There are two plastic rivets that you need to push in the center of and the rivet will drop down. Just get a phillips head screw driver in there and tap the center of the rivet and it will come out easily.

Thank you! I figured it has something to do with those rivets!


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[Fresh1179]

Anyone have any advice about the front carpet. I am struggling to figure out a way to get it out without scoring the scoring. Do I need to remove the heater core? Any additional elements that need to be removed?


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[George Hill]

With the dash out you also need to remove the throttle pedal as well. The heater case has to come out OR just cut it as tightly to the heater case as you can and then also lengthwise (under the console area) and take it out in 2 pieces. Note: it's probably a good idea to leave the small section of carpet under the case as it helps support it and gives it a seal so condensation will run out the trans tunnel and not into the passenger compartment.

[Fresh1179]

With the dash out you also need to remove the throttle pedal as well. The heater case has to come out OR just cut it as tightly to the heater case as you can and then also lengthwise (under the console area) and take it out in 2 pieces. Note: it's probably a good idea to leave the small section of carpet under the case as it helps support it and gives it a seal so condensation will run out the trans tunnel and not into the passenger compartment.

Are you talking about cutting along the blue line in the photo below? I just want to double check before I start hacking up the carpet (again...)


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[George Hill]

Yes, like below (they are flipped from each other, note the heel pad on the section on the right).