BMW Door Brake and Door Trim Panel Removal – E46

This answer is applicable for many BMWs in addition to the one listed below.

Q
car year: 2000
car model: 328Ci
Do I need to remove the door panel to replace the door brake and do I need special tools to remove the part?

A
The door brake installs from the inside of the door. therefore, you must remove the interior door trim panel in order to replace the door brake assembly.  No special tools are required to remove the door brake.  In removing the trim panel, you will need a non-marring pry tool and some models have Torx-head screws that must be removed.  Once the panel is removed, you can remove the Torx-head bolt securing the door brake’s arm to the door jamb and the two Torx-head bolts that secure the brake to the door frame.  You then push the brake into the door cavity (the window should be up).

Door brakes & door parts:

Door panel clips:

Non-marring pry tools;

Removing front door trim panel on E46 4-dr (& touring wagon), 2-dr models will be similar.  Additionally, the general procedures will apply to most late model BMWs:

NOTE:  If the vehicle has side air bags (in the door), as this example does, disconnect the battery and wait a few minutes before removing the airbag.  However, since we will need to move the window, do not disconnect the battery just yet.  With this noted, if we are just removing the door panel, the air bag need not be disturbed.

The panel will typically have a few securing screws in the armrest area, which are covered by trim plugs (or caps) or trim panels that can be gently pried off to expose the screws, which are typically either Phillips-head or Torx-head.  Once the screws are removed, there will be a series of plastic clips securing the perimeter and the top edge of the panel to the door frame. (figure-1)

1)  Remove the mirror switch or trim plug at the front of the armrest/grip assembly.  Use a non-marring pry tool to remove the switch or trim plug. (figure-2)

2)       Remove the Torx-head screw located within the switch/trim-plug cavity.  (figure-3)

3)       Using a non-marring pry tool, remove the two trim covers on the under-side of the armrest.  Remove the two Torx-head screws. (figure-4)

4)    Gently pry the upper trim panel from the door panel (the wood trim panel, in this case), using a non-marring pry tool.  Start at the rear of the trim panel and gently pull the panel off, toward the front.
(figure-5)

6)       Remove the two Torx-head screws that are now exposed.

7)       Use a non-marring pry tool to pry the lower-outer corner of the door panel from the door frame.  The panel is secured to the door frame via plastic push-clips that are mounted around the perimeter of the door panel.  (figure-6)   Slide the pry tool a few inches under the door panel and move the tool along the edge to locate where the clips are.  Pry at the clip locations, to pop the clips from the door frame until all are released. (figure-7)

8)       The top edge of the door panel is secured by clips that run just below the window seal.  Grasp the panel at the front-top corner and firmly pull the panel away from the door frame, releasing the clips. (figure-8)

9)       Hold the door panel up and reach behind the panel to release the inner door handle cable clip.  Grasp the clip and rotate the rear of the clip out of the locating socket on the back of the inner door handle. (figure-9)