Door Panel Removal: Screw behind handle

elerner61 · 08-04-2011, 01:49 PM

The "dime sized" plastic cover under inside the door release handle does not pop off easily. Any clues on how to get this off without mangling it?

Thx.

ZStig · 08-04-2011, 01:59 PM

yeah, pop it off with something plastic

elerner61 · 08-04-2011, 02:08 PM

There's no cut-out or space anywhere (that I can see) to get in there. Anything plastic that is thin enough to get in there will break on me, I think. I'd use a very small screwdriver (like a jewelers scredriver) but that has sometimes brought me grief in the past when using with plastic.

(Gee, I really sound like a weenie on this one). Guess I've got "new car syndrome", maybe I just need to put a nice big scratch in it somewhere and get over it.

inTgr8r · 08-04-2011, 02:23 PM

There used to be a good DIY on one of the Z4 forums, I'm not sure which one though.
If I come across it I'll post a link.

:edit:
Found it here
There is a trick to it.

vasaline · 08-04-2011, 02:32 PM

Shouldn't be too hard to pop off. What I did was stick tape in it and then pull the tape to get the cap off

elerner61 · 08-04-2011, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vasaline

Shouldn't be too hard to pop off. What I did was stick tape in it and then pull the tape to get the cap off

That's pretty much what the BMW DIY doc. (thx. intgr8r) says. Although I had to think about what they meant by "Butyl" (european term for rubber, or something sticky like fun tack).

Thanks guys.

mhughett · 08-04-2011, 03:21 PM

I have a set of these that cost $2 that are great for getting into small crevices and pulling out these kind of tabs.

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece...set-66836.html

Ron Stygar · 08-04-2011, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhughett

I have a set of these that cost $2 that are great for getting into small crevices and pulling out these kind of tabs.

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece...set-66836.html

In this item follow butyl or tape.

Ron Stygar · 08-04-2011, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elerner61

"Butyl"

Used on the foam on the door too.

JFleming · 08-04-2011, 06:52 PM

Do not try to pry it out with anything. Per BMW you should put a ball of butyl on it and pull it off. The closest place to get some butyl is off the paper door liner which you can't get to yet because you don't have the panel off.

So, what it did was to wad up a ball of duck tape and it popped off perfectly. The BMW manual shows that there is a specific direction to pull with the adhesive to make it easier. If I remeber correctly this is down and away from the door. (or maybe up and away - try both)

When I first read the procedure in the BMW book, I thought it was pretty far fetched, but I must admit, it worked perfectly if you do what they say. Any pick or screwdriver will damage it because it fits so tight. There is just NO gap to work in any tools.

08-04-2011, 01:49 PM	#1
elerner61 Major 157 Rep 1,107 Posts Drives: '07 Z4M Roadster Join Date: May 2011 Location: Mount Kisco, NY iTrader: (0)	Door Panel Removal: Screw behind handle The "dime sized" plastic cover under inside the door release handle does not pop off easily. Any clues on how to get this off without mangling it? Thx.
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08-04-2011, 01:59 PM	#2
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	yeah, pop it off with something plastic __________________
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08-04-2011, 02:08 PM	#3
elerner61 Major 157 Rep 1,107 Posts Drives: '07 Z4M Roadster Join Date: May 2011 Location: Mount Kisco, NY iTrader: (0)	There's no cut-out or space anywhere (that I can see) to get in there. Anything plastic that is thin enough to get in there will break on me, I think. I'd use a very small screwdriver (like a jewelers scredriver) but that has sometimes brought me grief in the past when using with plastic. (Gee, I really sound like a weenie on this one). Guess I've got "new car syndrome", maybe I just need to put a nice big scratch in it somewhere and get over it.
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08-04-2011, 02:23 PM	#4
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2432 Rep 11,667 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	There used to be a good DIY on one of the Z4 forums, I'm not sure which one though. If I come across it I'll post a link. :edit: Found it here There is a trick to it. __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold) Last edited by inTgr8r; 08-04-2011 at 02:31 PM..
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08-04-2011, 02:32 PM	#5
vasaline Private First Class 7 Rep 167 Posts Drives: 06 M Roadster Join Date: May 2009 Location: So. Cal iTrader: (0)	Shouldn't be too hard to pop off. What I did was stick tape in it and then pull the tape to get the cap off
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08-04-2011, 03:21 PM	#7
mhughett Captain 25 Rep 615 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok iTrader: (0)	I have a set of these that cost $2 that are great for getting into small crevices and pulling out these kind of tabs. http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece...set-66836.html __________________ 2013 Audi TT RS (Tech Pkg, Sport Exhaust, Heated Seats, Sirius) Retired--2007 Z4 M Coupe (Imola Red/Black, Premium Pkg, Heated Seats, XM, Bimmian stubby antenna, CDV delete, Apex EC-7--Anthracite, Goodyear F1 Asymetric 2.
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08-04-2011, 06:52 PM	#10
JFleming Private 9 Rep 51 Posts Drives: '10 328i xdrive, '07 Z4 3.0si Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Cleveland OH iTrader: (0)	Use tape or butyl adhesive Do not try to pry it out with anything. Per BMW you should put a ball of butyl on it and pull it off. The closest place to get some butyl is off the paper door liner which you can't get to yet because you don't have the panel off. So, what it did was to wad up a ball of duck tape and it popped off perfectly. The BMW manual shows that there is a specific direction to pull with the adhesive to make it easier. If I remeber correctly this is down and away from the door. (or maybe up and away - try both) When I first read the procedure in the BMW book, I thought it was pretty far fetched, but I must admit, it worked perfectly if you do what they say. Any pick or screwdriver will damage it because it fits so tight. There is just NO gap to work in any tools.
	Appreciate 0 Quote