2nd Gen R55 Most liked posts in thread: Secret compartment carrier replacement?

  1. cristo

    cristo Well-Known Member

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  2. cristo

    cristo Well-Known Member

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    #7 cristo, Sep 25, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 25, 2020
    Got the part and had the time after work today.
    Pretty easy.
    Pop off the covers on each side of the carrier.
    Pop the cover off the right side vent cover.
    Remove the three lower screws to the side vent cover.
    Need to take off the a pillar cover to get the top screw, but don't really need to do either.
    Remove the screw on lower left of dash vent just to the right of the speedo.
    Angle the torx bit (they're all T20) to get the upper screw of the knee bolster and wiggle the
    dash vent a little to get it out (and, later, in).
    Pop the glove compartment and remove 3 screws that hold the bottom of the knee bolster
    (didn't do the far right one as at this point you can wiggle the center part out and pry it down a little.
    Now, remove the 3 screws that hold the carrier, and can easily get the carrier out.
    Use two long kitchen knives, thin rules, or other pieces of metal to slide between the carrier
    and the compartment insert so the tabs
    on the bottom aren't holding it in and pop out the insert.
    (Look at the new part to see where the locking
    tabs are. May need to use a hose pick to
    help raise the couple other ones on the top.)
    Push the insert into the new carrier and it clicks in to place.
    Top and bottom of this piece are identical, so you don't have to keep track of which way is up.
    You may have to fiddle and reposition the CD changer cable to keep it out of the way when putting the carrier back in.
    Remove the 2 screws on the carrier door cover and pop the top 3 tabs past the plastic of the carrier to remove that.
    Snap it into place in the new carrier door cover and replace the 3 screws.
    Reinstall reverse of above - 3 screws to hold the carrier in, wiggle the knee bolster back into position tucking it back
    under the speedo cover, upper knee bolster screw then the right dash vent screw,
    3 (or 4) screws to the right side vent, 3 more screws through the open glove compartment to the lower bolster, then
    pop back on the 2 side carrier trim plates and the plate on the right of the right vent cover.
    I think I covered everything I did.
    Done.
    Took about 45 minutes from start to finish.
     
  3. cristo

    cristo Well-Known Member

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    Maybe, especially if there’s anything
    significant to add to the info in the links.
     
  4. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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  5. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    I have to go look at mine but does it come out the front of the dash.
    Maybe give Almag a call.
     
  6. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    :Thumbsup::Thumbsup:
     
  7. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    Very nice write up