Centre air vent removal - for stereo removal - SOLVED!!!!!!!!

Karlos123

Karlos123

Member
Hi all,

I have done stacks of searching and reading up on how to remove the centre air vents and have tried everything but they wont budge!!! I have managed to get both metal clips pulled down but the stereo will not pull out, it wont move at all, what am I doing wrong?? I have put credits cards behind it to ease it out, I have been using trim removal tools as well, I used a wire to get behind it and pulled on that but its stuck fast!

I need to get the stereo out to fit a bluetooth device behind it but its just not happening! my car is a 2008 year, I assume thats no different to earlier models? you just pull the pins down and pull the thing out yeh?

Any help/advice would be hugely appreciated, spent about an hour trying to get the vents out over the weekend, very frustrating!

Thanks in advance
Karl
 
As you are doing, but the vents need to come out separate to the stereo, you need to release the vent clips, I use a flat screwdiver and plastic trim removal tool, and you need to tease one side at a time..but a credit card will do to ease the vent out,, and its easier with two of you !! one to pull the clip down, one to ease the vent out, then once the vents are out, you will see the two screws that hold the stereo in, simply unscrew them and pull the stereo out
 
If you've read everything (and found the youtube clip?) then I don't think there's much that can be added.
Are you making sure that when the clip on one side is released, the vent is edged forward a few mm to stop it re-engaging? It is a case of slowly slowly - edging one side out then the other and back again. When the vent is about 8mm out then it will pull out without too much fuss. Then there's two screws to undo that hold in the head unit.
When I first tried, it took me two attempts - the first took about 30 mins without success, the second go took me 5 mins before I got the vent out. Have just done it in a other zed and it took me 2 mins to get out both the vent and the head unit. Once you've done it you wonder what all the fuss and struggle was about.
Keep at it, be patient and be gentle with the vents.
 
Thanks for the replies, yes 100% aware that the vent and the stereo are separate and the stereo has 2 screws. I have done everything as described... but I have just phoned the BMW indie I bought the car from, and he said that there are 2 other clips that need to be released at the bottom of the vent as well as the top 2 metal clips!! :o I noticed those but didnt realise they were for releasing the vent.

I have taken some pics... He said that they use a special tool, I think I may have something that will work, but I havent see any mention of these before, just the two at the top of the vent, will give it another go! He said that they are a right faff! :cry:
 

Attachments

  • IMG_4214.PNG
    IMG_4214.PNG
    562.8 KB · Views: 3,445
  • IMG_4213.PNG
    IMG_4213.PNG
    490.1 KB · Views: 3,445
Thanks for that, saw that before and unfortunatley it doesnt help a great deal, thanks though mate, much appreciated though :thumbsup:
 
I have taken the centre vents out of a few zeds, and not one had the bottom clips, and I have never heard of a special tool for the job,
one thing that has just come to me as I type, I think it helps if the vents are in the closed position,

You obviously have seen this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro8cU7HMiu0
 
Sorry OP but that is utter crap from the Indy. There is only two clips on the vents, and both are at the top.
 
This pic shows the clips, but where this person has the screwdrivers they are lifting the clips instead of pulling them down. You need to get above the clip at the front to be able to lever it down to release.

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9016&start=45
 
RustyZ4 said:
I have taken the centre vents out of a few zeds, and not one had the bottom clips, and I have never heard of a special tool for the job,
one thing that has just come to me as I type, I think it helps if the vents are in the closed position,

You obviously have seen this - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro8cU7HMiu0
Click to expand...

Thanks for that video... in that video the vent has some clips that need to be released at the bottom of the vent, maybe thats what my indie meant?? :scratchhead:

srhutch said:
This pic shows the clips, but where this person has the screwdrivers they are lifting the clips instead of pulling them down. You need to get above the clip at the front to be able to lever it down to release.

viewtopic.php?t=9016&start=45
Click to expand...

Thats for that, yes I have deffo been pulling the metal tabs down, but the bugger wont budge at all.

I will have another look at it and see if I can release those tabs at the bottom as seen in the video that RustyZ4 mentioned.

Very frustrating, I have taken on some tricky jobs before on cars with success and this is embarrassing.. :oops: :headbang: :rofl: :rofl:

Thanks for all your input BTW !!
 
Just had a text from my main dealer saying my ZHP gearknob is ready for collection :yeah: so will ask a techy while I am in there. Seee if they can shed some light on it.
 
Finally got to the bottom of this!!

There are 2 plastic tabs in the corner at the bottom of the vent, lift these up and the vent pops out!

I used a screwdriver to pull the bottom 2 metal clips down, then put a credit card behind the vent, then released the bottom 2 plastic clips and bingo... the vent popped out.

Thanks to everyone who offered advice.

Happy days!! :thumbsup:
 
I too found this removal a right royal pain. I used a piece of string threaded through the vent louvres to pull out one side at a time whilst unclipping the two tabs above and below, then repeating for the other side.
 
Z4C_er said:
I too found this removal a right royal pain. I used a piece of string threaded through the vent louvres to pull out one side at a time whilst unclipping the two tabs above and below, then repeating for the other side.
Click to expand...

Glad it wasnt just me! I was punching the air wth joy when the b@5tard popped out. :thumbsup:
 
Karlos123 said:
RustyZ4 said:
Glad you solved it :thumbsup:

Do you still remember why you wanted to take them out ? :D
Click to expand...

Come to think of it NO!! :rofl:
Click to expand...

I fitted one of these ...
https://www.incarconnections.co.uk/bmw-bluetooth-adapter-streaming-and-calls/bmw-bluetooth-adapter-for-streaming-and-hands-free-calls-ctabmbt009-quadlock-connector.html

Can now stream music and change tracks from the steering wheel controls, and has bluetooth/phone now. Pretty happy with it. :thumbsup: Was worth the hassle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom