51 42 000 Removing and installing rear 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: Model with side airbag:

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 .

Version with roller sun blind:

Remove roller sun blind on fixed side window. See 51 16 405 Removing and installing/replacing roller sun blind on side window of left or right rear door (long version or from 03/2007) .

Lever out protective caps (1) on door trim panel (3) and release screws underneath.

Tightening torque 51 42 1AZ . See 42 REAR DOOR TRIM PANEL WITH ARMRESTS .

If necessary, lever out airbag emblem (2) with special tool 00 9 317 and release screw underneath.

Tightening torque 51 42 4AZ . See 42 REAR DOOR TRIM PANEL WITH ARMRESTS .

Fig 1: Identifying Protective Caps On Door Trim Panel

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: Start by unclipping door trim panel (2) at bottom.
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).

Fig 2: Identifying Door Trim Panel Clips

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 and release button.

Installation:

Attach central clip mounting to door trim panel.

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

Fig 3: Removing Door Trim Panel

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 4: Identifying Bowden Cable And Door Lock

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Model with side airbag:

WARNING: Disconnect plug connection on side airbag.

Disconnect remaining plug connections.

Remove door trim.

Installation:

Connect all plugs to original locations.

NOTE: Illustration shows E60 long version, basic variants E60 and E61 have one clip fewer in the lower area.

Installation:

All clips (2) are white.

If necessary, replace faulty clips (2).

Attach central clip mounting (1) to door trim panel.

Fig 5: Identifying Central Clip Mounting And Clips

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

After assembling the door trim panel proceed as follows:

Open door window.
Lock with vehicle key.
check whether the locking knob linkage can move freely, align linkage if necessary