51 41 000 Removing and installing left or right front door trim panel

Special tools required:

When working with trim panels, be sure that visible surfaces are not damaged or scratched (e.g. with sharp-edged tools).

Necessary preliminary work:

Remove BLIND COVER OR TWEETER COVER

Release screw (1).

Tightening torque 51 41 1AZ .

Fig 1: Identifying Front Door Trim Panel Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Front passenger side:

Carefully lever out the handle cover (1) using special tool 00 9 325 , first at the top and then down to the bottom screw.
Swing handle cover (1) inward and then detach it toward the bottom.
Release the screws behind it.
Tightening torque 51 41 1AZ .

Fig 2: Removing Handle Cover Using Special Tool (00 9 325)
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Front passenger side:

Installation note:

Retaining tabs (2) and retaining hooks (3) of handle cover (1) must not be damaged.

Fig 3: Identifying Door Tabs, Retaining Hooks And Handle Cover
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Driver's side:

Feed out handle cover (1) without using tools in the area of the upper retaining lugs (2) toward the inside and up.
Release the screws behind it.
Tightening torque 51 41 1AZ .

Installation note:

Retaining tabs (2) must not be damaged or missing.

Fig 4: Identifying Door Handle Cover Retaining Tabs

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws on door trim panel (3) at bottom.

Carefully unclip door trim panel (3) using special tool 00 9 325 , beginning at the bottom and proceeding all around (4).

NOTE: Mount the special tool directly next to the retaining clip and apply leverage against the inner door panel. Continue clipping out the part without using the tool if possible. Excessive leverage against the door trim edge alone causes permanent deformations of the door trim edge.

Finally, unclamp the part at the weather strip at the top.

Installation note:

If necessary, replace any faulty clamps (3) of weather strip (1). Note that the first clamp (3) differs from the others (3).

Fig 5: Pulling Off Window Cavity Cover Strip

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Fold open front door trim panel (1) slightly and unlock and disconnect all plug connections (2).

Fig 6: Identifying Front Door Trim Panel And Plug Connections

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Feed out door trim panel via linkage of locking button and detach Bowden cable (1) from door lock (2).

Fig 7: Identifying Bowden Cable And Door Lock

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Installation note:

Damping disc (2) on guide pin of door trim panel (1) must not be missing or damaged.

Check that the Bowden cable (3) is correctly positioned.

Clips (4) and (5) must not be damaged or missing.

Clips (4) = white

Clips (5) = grey

Fig 8: Locating Door Trim Panel Clips

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note:

After assembling the door trim panel proceed as follows:

Open side window
Lock with ignition key
Check for ease of movement on locking button linkage
If necessary, align linkages