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 cover left and right, see bottom AIR OUTLET GRILLE COVER
NOTE: For version with storage compartment or CD changer, no dismantling of right decorative trim.
Remove LOWER SECTION OF STEERING COLUMN TRIM
Remove CONTROL PANEL FOR HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING

Depending on version:

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

Fig 1: Identifying Left Plug Connections

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

Fig 2: Identifying Right Plug Connections

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Disengage cable (1) for handbrake switch.

Fig 3: Locating Handbrake Switch Cable

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Disconnect plug connection (1) for airbag control unit.

Fig 4: Identifying Plug Connection For Airbag Control Unit

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

Fig 5: Locating Wiring Harness On Driving Area And Center Console

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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

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Unclip wiring harness (1).

Detach cooling hose (2).

Fig 7: Identifying Wiring Harness And Cooling Hose

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Release screws (1) above steering column.

Fig 8: Identifying Screws Above Steering Column

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Unfasten screws (1) to (3).

Fig 9: Identifying Screws

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Unfasten screws (1) to (3).

Fig 10: Identifying Screws

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Release left screw (1) underneath air conditioner controls.

Fig 11: Identifying Left Screw Underneath Air Conditioner Controls

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Release right screw (1) underneath air conditioner controls.

Fig 12: Identifying Right Screw Underneath Air Conditioner Controls

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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

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

Fig 14: Drilling Access Holes

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Determine and mark center of access 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 holes.

Installation note:

Close off access holes with plugs.

Part Number 51 71 1 801 066

Fig 15: Identifying Flank Dimension

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

Fig 16: Drilling Access Holes

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Left access hole:

Determine and mark center of access 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

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

Installation note:

Close off access holes with plugs.

Part Number 51 71 1 801 066

Fig 18: Releasing Screws Through Access Holes

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Right access hole:

Determine and mark center of access 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 holes.

Installation note:

Close off access holes with plugs.

Part Number 51 71 1 801 066

Fig 19: Identifying Top Flank Dimension

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Unfasten retaining bracket (1).

Release side screws (2) and (3).

Pull off dashboard complete with support.

Fig 20: Identifying Retaining Bracket And Side Screws

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