MiNiGuY's Cheeky Tips :- Removing downtubes aka dashboard legs

[MiNiGuY]

Cheeky tip 1 :- Removing downtubes aka dashboard legs.

There have been some very helpful posts on here with instructions on downtube removal. They also, for the most part, describe exactly how the tech boys themselves actually do it.

However it doesn't have to be so drawn out.

So, allow me to introduce the first of my Cheeky Tips, for a method that is far far quicker,more convienient and is in fact less likely (actually totally unlikely) to cause scratches to your downtubes than the official method.

Here you go,


1, On the passenger side, looking right under the lower edge of the centre facia*, near to the airbag panel you will see a gold tx20 screw. Remove this.

For pictures, see page 2 of this thread. Thanks to Jason for the pictures.

2, Remove the 4 tx40 screws that secure the downtubes.
3, grab the lower edges of the centre facia and give a medium sharp tug.
The facia will pop it's lower clips and pull outward slightly. You DONT need to attempt to remove it completely. You now have enough room to angle the downtubes toward you, pulling the tops under the loose facia, and lift them out of the centre console.

Replacement is just a reversal.
When you've put the down tubes back, just give the facia a few gentle whacks all along to seat it back into it's clips.
Don't forget the gold screw. It stops the facia being forced off if the passanger airbag deploys!

There it is. Quick and easy. Hope you find the tip helpful.

*Centre facia is the coloured panel that covers the tops of the downtubes and hugs the contour of the speedo and two air vents.

For people with knee bolsters, wishing to remove the downtube that this obscures, you'll need to remove the bolster first, by grabbing the top edges and pulling sharply. It will just pull off. When you pull downward, keep the pressure toward the direction of the door also, to avoid the bolster scratching the downtube when it comes free. Watch your shins.

[thegrommit]

<-- rated 5-stars and nominating this thread for a faq

[MiNiGuY]

Cheers grommit!!

[mikeythemini]

Done 12 minis, but looking forward to trying this method
NICE ONE

[jlm]

i've been driving around with my downtubes removed awaiting the completion of my headunit swap. i may just leave them out and fabricate a black trim on the then-suspended-looking all black center unit and gaining a couple of elliptical chgange containers.

[msenkbeil]

Anyone have a pic of the legless dash? On my test drives that was one of the most annoying things about the interior: My leg was solidly pressed against the left-hand leg of the dash.

Curious...

Mike S.

[monsta]

Quote:

Originally posted by msenkbeil
Anyone have a pic of the legless dash? On my test drives that was one of the most annoying things about the interior: My leg was solidly pressed against the left-hand leg of the dash.

Curious...

Mike S.

Not very nice I'm afraid:

[monsta]

[diverse]

you right monsta, the MD player is not very nice sounding!

[monsta]

Quote:

Originally posted by diverse
you right monsta, the MD player is not very nice sounding!

, I quite like it actually

[eBrit]

MiNiGuY!...Sorry to "gatecrash" this thread (sorry, sorry everyone else) but all attempts to PM fail as your mailbox stays resolutely full (very wise probably)

But I think you are the only person on MINI2 who can perhaps answer the so far unanswered questions on the thread below (assuming the answers aren't confidential)....and which you may not have come across

Production Lines, VIN Numbers and Coloured Discs

Sorry to barge in on "Missing Down Tubes", sorry... "Cheeky Tips" ..

Thanks

eBrit

[Andy_Aj]

Miniguy,
can you please help get the part number of the 'knee bolsters' that you described at the top of this thread.

I want to order them but my dealer has never heard of them.

Thanks

[3GGG]

Monsta - that holder for your phone on the flexible gooseneck, shown in your photo, how is it attached to the car?
I'm looking for ideas for mounting my iPAQ in the MINI and it looks as if I could adapt something like that.

[monsta]

Quote:

Originally posted by 3GGG
Monsta - that holder for your phone on the flexible gooseneck, shown in your photo, how is it attached to the car?
I'm looking for ideas for mounting my iPAQ in the MINI and it looks as if I could adapt something like that.

It's just covering the wires, the phone is fixed using a dashmount bracket.

The 'gooseneck' is attached to the car kit by small cable tie and the bottom end just disappears underneath the dash

[3GGG]

Quote:

Originally posted by monsta


It's just covering the wires, the phone is fixed using a dashmount bracket.

The 'gooseneck' is attached to the car kit by small cable tie and the bottom end just disappears underneath the dash

Sorry for veering off topic a little.

Monsta,
Ah! I see - it was an optical illusion!

Looks like I will use something similar to mount the iPAQ for SatNav. I did see somewhere else where a modified dashmount kit had been used to fit an iPAQ. I suspect I will have to buy the dashmount bracket and another tilt and swivel mount specifically for the iPAQ manufactured by Brodit and fit it to the dashmount bracket.

I also downloaded some interesting "unofficial" MINI instructions in PDF format (have lost URL but it must be on this site somewhere) that gave instructions for fitting "Traffic Pro for Boost". This included info on where the GPS antenna fits under the top of the dashboard and how to fit it. (I didn't know there was such a thing as "Traffic Pro".

It looks like a neat solution for fitting my Holux GPS out of site, rather than have it velcro'd to the top of the dash. I need to take the dashboard top off anyway to find the source of the rattles between the topper and the plastic front part when the heater is on.

I have started a new thread on this forum about all of this rather than hijack this one.

Thanks - David