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 COVER on left and right
NOTE: For version with storage compartment or CD changer, dismantling of right decorative trim is not required.
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 Connection Up To A-Pillar

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

Fig 2: Identifying Right Plug Connection Up To A-Pillar

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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: Locating Wiring Harness

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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: Releasing Left Screw Underneath Air Conditioner Controls

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Release right screw (1) underneath air conditioner controls.

Fig 12: Releasing 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 Step Drill

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

Fig 14: Identifying Drill Holes

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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

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

Fig 16: Identifying Flank Dimension

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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 Flank Dimension

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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 Screw

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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.

Fig 19: Identifying Distance To Top Flank

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Installation note:

Close off access drill holes with plugs.

Part Number 51 71 1 801 066

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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