51 41 000 Removing and installing front left or right door trim panel (long version or from 03/2007)

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Special tools required:

00 9 317 . See MAINTENANCE AND GENERAL INFORMATION - SPECIAL TOOLS .

WARNING: Side airbag is mounted on door trim panel:
Disconnect battery. See 12 00... INSTRUCTIONS FOR DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING BATTERY .

IMPORTANT: Do not use any sharp-edged removal tools, risk of damage to airbag.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove footwell light at bottom. See 63 31 020 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FOOTWELL LIGHT .

Lever out airbag emblem (1) on door trim panel (3) with special tool 00 9 317 and release screw underneath.

Tightening torque 51 41 1AZ . See 41 FRONT DOOR TRIM PANEL .

Unfasten cap (2) and release screw underneath.

Installation:

Tightening torque 51 41 4AZ . See 41 FRONT DOOR TRIM PANEL .

Replace cover cap (2).

Fig 1: Identifying Airbag Emblem On Door Trim Panel

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage!
Adhere without fail to the following removal sequence for unclipping the door trim panel.

NOTE: If necessary, wear gloves due to sharp edges on cutout (1).

Firmly pull on cutout (1) of footwell light and thus detach door trim panel (2) from clips (3) at bottom.

Detach door trim panel (2) in area of A-pillar from clips (3).

Fig 2: Detaching Door Trim Panel

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Risk of damage!
Insert special tool 00 9 317 in such a way that sound insulation is not touched.

Insert special tool 00 9 317 under clips (1) between door and door trim panel.

Press special tool 00 9 317 outwards (do not pull inwards) and thereby detach door trim panel from clips (1).

Detach door trim panel from clip (2).

Fig 3: Identifying Clip And Special Tool 00 9 317

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Carefully unclip door trim panel (1) at top from retainers (3).

Feed door trim panel (1) upwards out of central clip mounting (2) and release button (4).

Installation:

Release central clip from mounting (2) and attach to door trim panel.

Prior to installation, bend open retainer on inner door plate for central clip mounting (2).

Fig 4: Removing Door Trim Panel

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Unhook Bowden cable (1) from door lock (2).

Fig 5: Identifying Bowden Cable And Door Lock

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

WARNING: Disconnect plug connection on side airbag.

Disconnect remaining plug connections.

Remove door trim.

Installation:

Connect all plugs to original locations.

Installation:

Attach central clips (1) to door trim panel.

Replace clips (4) after each removal.

If necessary, replace faulty clips.

Make sure all clips are installed in correct position.

Fig 6: Identifying Clips

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

2 Red clip
3 White clip
4 Upper clip, blue
4 Lower clip, white

Installation:

After assembling the door trim panel proceed as follows:

Open door window,
lock with ignition key,
Check for ease-of-movement on retaining button linkage,
if necessary, align linkage.