51 45 031 Replacing instrument panel trim

Necessary Preliminary Tasks: 

• Remove instrument panel trim. Refer to 51 45 030 REMOVING AND INSTALLING INSTRUMENT PANEL TRIM .
• Remove decorative strip on instrument panel on left. Refer to 51 45 370 REMOVING AND INSTALLING (REPLACING) LEFT DECORATIVE STRIP ON INSTRUMENT PANEL .
• Remove speaker trim. Refer to 51 45 115 REMOVING AND INSTALLING SPEAKER FRAME ON PANEL FOR INSTRUMENT PANEL AT TOP .
• If necessary, remove speaker. Refer to 65 13 060 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING SPEAKER (MID-RANGE SPEAKER, IN INSTRUMENT PANEL) .
• If necessary, remove front inner and front outer cup holder carriers. Refer to 51 16 ... REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FRONT INNER CUP HOLDER CARRIER  and 51 16 ... REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FRONT OUTER CUP HOLDER CARRIER .

Expand locking rings (1) and remove.

Remove top steering column cover (2).

Unclip bottom steering column cover (4) from retainers (3) and remove.

Fig 1: Locating Locking Rings

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Release screws (1) and remove driver's side storage compartment (2).

Fig 2: Identifying Driver'S Side Storage Compartment

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Release screws (1) and remove function carrier for light switch center (2).

Fig 3: View Of Function Carrier For Light Switch Center

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Release screws (1) and remove function carrier for instrument panel (2).

Fig 4: Locating Function Carrier For Instrument Panel

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Release screws (1) and remove frame for passenger airbag (2).

Release screws (3) and remove function carrier for right decorative strip (4).

Fig 5: Identifying Frame For Passenger Airbag

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Removal all metal nuts (1) from instrument panel trim (2).

Unclip trims for defrost outlet (3) on outside in each case and remove.

Fig 6: View Of Metal Nuts For Instrument Panel Trim

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