51 45 072 Removing and installing dashboard with support

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Move wheels into straight-ahead position
Disconnect BATTERY EARTH LEAD
Remove TRIM PANEL FOR ROOF PILLAR AT FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT
Remove DOOR SILL COVER STRIP AT FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT
Remove STORAGE COMPARTMENT
Remove HEATING CENTER CONSOLE TRIM
Remove GLOVE BOX LID
Remove SIDE AIR OUTLET GRILLE LID on left and right
NOTE: For version with storage compartment or CD changer, no dismantling is required for right decorative trim.
Remove LOWER SECTION OF STEERING COLUMN TRIM
Remove CONTROL PANEL FOR HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING

Depending on version:

Remove SOLAR SENSOR
Remove CCC (Car Communication Computer)
Remove RADIO RECEIVER (CHAMP)

Disconnect left plug connection (1) up to (3) A-pillar.

Fig 1: Identifying Left Plug Connections

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Disconnect right plug connection (1) up to (4) A-pillar.

Fig 2: Identifying Right Plug Connections

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Disengage cable (1) for handbrake switch.

Fig 3: Identifying Cable For Handbrake Switch

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Disconnect plug connection (1) for airbag control unit.

Fig 4: Identifying Plug Connection For Airbag Control Unit

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Unclip wiring harness (1) on driving area and center console.

Fig 5: Identifying Wiring Harness

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove STEERING COLUMN

(Complete with steering wheel, airbag, steering column switch cluster)

Disconnect plug connection (1) at air conditioner (2).

Fig 6: Identifying Plug Connection At Air Conditioner

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Unclip wiring harness (1).

Detach cooling hose (2).

Fig 7: Identifying Wiring Harness And Cooling Hose

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws (1) above steering column.

Fig 8: Identifying Screws Above Steering Column

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Unfasten screws (1) to (3).

Fig 9: Identifying Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Unfasten screws (1) to (3).

Fig 10: Identifying Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release left screw (1) underneath air conditioner controls.

Fig 11: Releasing Left Screw Underneath Air Conditioner Controls

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release right screw (1) underneath air conditioner controls.

Fig 12: Releasing Right Screw Of Underneath Air Conditioner Controls

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: For the following repair work, use a step drill with a large diameter, otherwise the background will be damaged while drilling the 20 mm dia. access holes.

Fig 13: Identifying Drill Bit

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Make access drill holes (2) of 20 mm dia. left next to the aperture (1) for air conditioning controls as described below.

Fig 14: Drilling Access Holes

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Determine and mark center of access drill hole as follows:

Line up the edge of the deepening (1) to side.
Distance to flank (2) - (A) = 14 mm.

Release screw becoming visible behind the access drill holes.

Installation note:

Close off access drill holes with plugs.

Part Number 51 71 1 801 066

Fig 15: Identifying Flank Dimension

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Make access drill holes of 20 mm dia. left (1) and right (2) in the glove box aperture as described below.

Fig 16: Locating Area For Access Drill Holes At Left And Right In Glove Box Aperture

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Left access drill hole:

Determine and mark center of access drill hole as follows:

Distance to flank (1) - (A) = 16 mm.
Distance to profile corner (2) - (B) = 26 mm.

Fig 17: Identifying Distance To Flank And Distance To Profile Corner

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screw, reachable sideways from front, through the access drill holes (1).

Installation note:

Close off access drill holes with plugs.

Part Number 51 71 1 801 066

Fig 18: Releasing Screws Through Access Holes

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Right access drill hole:

Determine and mark center of access drill hole as follows:

Line up the edge of the flank (1) to the bottom.
Distance to top flank (2) - (A) = 58 mm.

Release screw becoming visible behind the access drill holes.

Installation note:

Close off access drill holes with plugs.

Part Number 51 71 1 801 066

Fig 19: Identifying Distance To Top Flank

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Unfasten retaining bracket (1).

Release side screws (2) and (3).

Pull off dashboard complete with support.

Fig 20: Identifying Retaining Bracket And Screws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.