Renovation of the interior trim

[Thomas_Green78]

Greetings, everyone.

The BMW F30 model was released in 2016.

The trim became detached when someone attempted to tamper with my steering wheel. The StopLOK became stuck and they abandoned their attempt to fix it. I am now experiencing difficulty in repositioning it. Should the metal and plastic clip be inserted into the trim or attached to the body panel?

Thank you in advance.

[Emma_Jones89]

Insert the clips into the designated slots on the trim, placing the metal clip at the top and the plastic clip at the bottom.
Insert the trim into the dashboard, starting with the end, and then align and press it in until the clips are securely attached. It is more convenient to remove the door frame rubber and then reinsert it after fitting the A post trim.

[Thomas_Green78]

Desire to avoid seeming foolish. Each time the metal clip is inserted, it consistently dislodges. I am concerned about the potential for deformation, fracture, or displacement into the body panel. Is there a certain methodology or approach to it? I am inquiring if there is a certain orientation in which the metal clip should be inserted. Thank you.

[Emma_Jones89]

The tabs should be inserted into the appropriate slot and positioned behind the plastic material. It may need some adjustment of the panel to align the metal clip with the hole in the A post.

[Thomas_Green78]

The metallic fastener inadvertently descended into the inside cavity of the vehicle's body panel, causing confusion.

[Emma_Jones89]

I fail to get how the object might descend into the body. If it is correctly positioned in the trim, the tabs should prevent it from falling. Furthermore, the tabs are broader than the hole that accommodates the clip.

[Thomas_Green78]

I believe it dropped into the place where the dashboard intersects with the pillar. The clip was not securely fastened when I inserted it into the trim. As soon as it encounters any opposition, it quickly dislodges. On this occasion, I perceived a distinct sound of impact, followed by the sudden absence of the object in question. The object did not dislodge when the door was shut.

[Emma_Jones89]

Did you place the metal clip at the upper or lower location of the A post trim?

[Thomas_Green78]

Initially, I had just two fasteners: one made of plastic (which unfortunately fractured) and the other made of metal.

[Emma_Jones89]

Presumably, you managed to intercept it when inserting the panel into the dashboard in order to eliminate it. There is a technique of holding an object at an inclined position in order to slide it downwards, while simultaneously aligning a clip with a tiny square hole to enter it. That is why I find it more convenient to have the door rubber pushed out, since it improves visibility.