MODS: Feel Free to add it in the DIY forum/section.
This diy is fairly easy and should not take more than 30 mins. I know many of e39ers have the centre vent that gets damaged and would like to replace it the cost of it is anywhere from 30 for used and 60 for a new one. I ordered mine from Tischer for 65 bucks or so.
Tools Needed:
- 10mm Socket or wrench
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Flathead Screwdriver
- Interior Panel Removal Tool (OPTIONAL)
- Patience
- Fresh Air Grille Part # Dependant on interior colour mine was black also note that my grille came with the bowden cable attached and
this diy assumes the bowden comes attached with the grille.
SCHWARZ - 64228364021 - FRESH AIR GRILLE CENTER
MARINEBLAU - 64228364022 - FRESH AIR GRILLE CENTER
DUNKELBEIGE - 64228364023 - FRESH AIR GRILLE CENTER
ENGLISCH GRUEN - 64228364024 - FRESH AIR GRILLE CENTER
Overview:
To install the grill you have to remove the glove box completely and a panel next to it... also you have to release the bowden cable and and remove the grill itself from the body. I started with the glove box and wandered as this was my first time doing this.
1.
You have to remove the lower cover which is underneath the glove box... to remove it all you have to do is pull the panel towards you.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/01.jpg>
2.
You can see the white part circled is where the panel snuggly secures onto.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/02.jpg>
3.
There are four clips on the panel itself that fit inside the white parts in step 2.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/03.jpg>
4.
On the left side of the glove compartment you can see the hinge is secured by a tab.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/04.jpg>
5.
Closeup of the hinge on the left side. To remove this you can pry it gently with a flathead screwdriver or Interior Panel removal tool.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/05.jpg>
6.
On the right side of the Glove there is a gas strut which makes the Glove box door come down gradually, to remove it use the same method as in step 5.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/06.jpg>
7.
Leave the Glove box closed and you can see underneath there are two 10mm socket/wrench nuts w/washer. Remove them. (Left side shown)
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/07.jpg>
8.
This is what it looks like after the nut has been removed.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/08.jpg>
9.
After you have remove both nuts open the glove box door and slide the box towards you slowly. While the box is released hold the glovebox (May need to rest on something so it does not fall) and squeeze the tab on the flashlight charger terminal.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/10.jpg>
10.
After the terminal is removed the glove box is free and can be placed safely in the backseat or some other place where it wont get dirty. Below is the picture of the Flash Light charger terminal, note the male part can only go in one way.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/11.jpg>
11.
Looking at the glove box where the nuts were removed you can see the plastic has a shape with a circular depression which bites onto the rail when its installed.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/09.jpg>
12.
The circular rail where the part in step 11 bites onto..
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/12.jpg>
13.
Glove box upside down looking at the two circular plastic pieces that bite onto the rail.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/13.jpg>
14.
After the glove box is completely removed you can see on the right hand side a plastic piece this is what needs to be removed for the bowden cable to be visible. In my car they were two phillips screws remove then and the part will easily slide out.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/14.jpg>
15.
Now you can see the bowden cable attached to a mechanical part which controls hot vs cold air to be ciruculated inside the cabin.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/15.jpg>
16.
The white tab needs to be pulled towards you for the latch to be released (this requires a bit of force but it should be done by hand), please remember how this is installed as this took me a long while to figure out on how this is installed.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/16.jpg>
17.
After the latch has been released you can easily pull the ciruclar piece off.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/17.jpg>
18.
The mechanical piece where the bowden cable attaches to (white) and the plastic part where the latch locks onto (black). You can see the black piece chipped as i did not inspect how the latch was installed and the marks show my various failed attempts to lock the latch.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/18.jpg>
19.
Now we can remove the Fresh Air Grille/Centre Air Vent from the car, I did not take any pictures while i was removing it as mine was a bit warped. You can see the four tabs that hold the piece in place, below you can see the bottom of the grill with the tabs circled.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/19.jpg>
20.
Top of the grill with the tabs circled.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/20.jpg>
21.
To remove the Grill when its installed basicaly slide four credit cards in place of each tab so the grille can be easily be pulled out, it takes a bit of force as the back of vent is inserted in the vents (see below the vents after the grille has been removed). You can pull the vent out as the cable has been released already.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/22.jpg>
22.
On the new vent make sure you have set the dial to cool air (three blue dots) as you will have most slack of cable in this position.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/21.jpg>
23. - Final Assembly
- Slide the new vent in but do not press it in all the way yet.
- Fish the bowden cable down and install it, if you inspected before removing the latch and cable this should be fairly easy.
- Test to see the fresh air grille works and the bowden operates and there are no problems (here you can see the mechanism in action while you rotate the selector).
- After the cable is installed push the vent in, you will need to push it firmly and slowly and making sure it is aligned to the vents. You will hear clicks when it is secure.
- Put the plastic piece back. Install the flashlight plug into the glove box and install the glove box.
- Install the spring loaded cylinder and the hinge... those caps slide right on you should be able to figure those out.
- Here you may need to tweak the position (left to right) of the glove box to ensure smooth operation. It took me a few mins to allign this so i had a smooth close and open.
- All done have a beer or coke or whatever floats your boat and hope you don't break the grille again anytime soon.
This diy is fairly easy and should not take more than 30 mins. I know many of e39ers have the centre vent that gets damaged and would like to replace it the cost of it is anywhere from 30 for used and 60 for a new one. I ordered mine from Tischer for 65 bucks or so.
Tools Needed:
- 10mm Socket or wrench
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Flathead Screwdriver
- Interior Panel Removal Tool (OPTIONAL)
- Patience
- Fresh Air Grille Part # Dependant on interior colour mine was black also note that my grille came with the bowden cable attached and
this diy assumes the bowden comes attached with the grille.
SCHWARZ - 64228364021 - FRESH AIR GRILLE CENTER
MARINEBLAU - 64228364022 - FRESH AIR GRILLE CENTER
DUNKELBEIGE - 64228364023 - FRESH AIR GRILLE CENTER
ENGLISCH GRUEN - 64228364024 - FRESH AIR GRILLE CENTER
Overview:
To install the grill you have to remove the glove box completely and a panel next to it... also you have to release the bowden cable and and remove the grill itself from the body. I started with the glove box and wandered as this was my first time doing this.
1.
You have to remove the lower cover which is underneath the glove box... to remove it all you have to do is pull the panel towards you.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/01.jpg>
2.
You can see the white part circled is where the panel snuggly secures onto.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/02.jpg>
3.
There are four clips on the panel itself that fit inside the white parts in step 2.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/03.jpg>
4.
On the left side of the glove compartment you can see the hinge is secured by a tab.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/04.jpg>
5.
Closeup of the hinge on the left side. To remove this you can pry it gently with a flathead screwdriver or Interior Panel removal tool.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/05.jpg>
6.
On the right side of the Glove there is a gas strut which makes the Glove box door come down gradually, to remove it use the same method as in step 5.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/06.jpg>
7.
Leave the Glove box closed and you can see underneath there are two 10mm socket/wrench nuts w/washer. Remove them. (Left side shown)
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/07.jpg>
8.
This is what it looks like after the nut has been removed.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/08.jpg>
9.
After you have remove both nuts open the glove box door and slide the box towards you slowly. While the box is released hold the glovebox (May need to rest on something so it does not fall) and squeeze the tab on the flashlight charger terminal.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/10.jpg>
10.
After the terminal is removed the glove box is free and can be placed safely in the backseat or some other place where it wont get dirty. Below is the picture of the Flash Light charger terminal, note the male part can only go in one way.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/11.jpg>
11.
Looking at the glove box where the nuts were removed you can see the plastic has a shape with a circular depression which bites onto the rail when its installed.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/09.jpg>
12.
The circular rail where the part in step 11 bites onto..
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/12.jpg>
13.
Glove box upside down looking at the two circular plastic pieces that bite onto the rail.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/13.jpg>
14.
After the glove box is completely removed you can see on the right hand side a plastic piece this is what needs to be removed for the bowden cable to be visible. In my car they were two phillips screws remove then and the part will easily slide out.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/14.jpg>
15.
Now you can see the bowden cable attached to a mechanical part which controls hot vs cold air to be ciruculated inside the cabin.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/15.jpg>
16.
The white tab needs to be pulled towards you for the latch to be released (this requires a bit of force but it should be done by hand), please remember how this is installed as this took me a long while to figure out on how this is installed.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/16.jpg>
17.
After the latch has been released you can easily pull the ciruclar piece off.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/17.jpg>
18.
The mechanical piece where the bowden cable attaches to (white) and the plastic part where the latch locks onto (black). You can see the black piece chipped as i did not inspect how the latch was installed and the marks show my various failed attempts to lock the latch.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/18.jpg>
19.
Now we can remove the Fresh Air Grille/Centre Air Vent from the car, I did not take any pictures while i was removing it as mine was a bit warped. You can see the four tabs that hold the piece in place, below you can see the bottom of the grill with the tabs circled.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/19.jpg>
20.
Top of the grill with the tabs circled.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/20.jpg>
21.
To remove the Grill when its installed basicaly slide four credit cards in place of each tab so the grille can be easily be pulled out, it takes a bit of force as the back of vent is inserted in the vents (see below the vents after the grille has been removed). You can pull the vent out as the cable has been released already.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/22.jpg>
22.
On the new vent make sure you have set the dial to cool air (three blue dots) as you will have most slack of cable in this position.
<img src=http://www.poolab.com/porksoda/5/e39/Centre_Vent/21.jpg>
23. - Final Assembly
- Slide the new vent in but do not press it in all the way yet.
- Fish the bowden cable down and install it, if you inspected before removing the latch and cable this should be fairly easy.
- Test to see the fresh air grille works and the bowden operates and there are no problems (here you can see the mechanism in action while you rotate the selector).
- After the cable is installed push the vent in, you will need to push it firmly and slowly and making sure it is aligned to the vents. You will hear clicks when it is secure.
- Put the plastic piece back. Install the flashlight plug into the glove box and install the glove box.
- Install the spring loaded cylinder and the hinge... those caps slide right on you should be able to figure those out.
- Here you may need to tweak the position (left to right) of the glove box to ensure smooth operation. It took me a few mins to allign this so i had a smooth close and open.
- All done have a beer or coke or whatever floats your boat and hope you don't break the grille again anytime soon.