How to remove side turn signal trim on a Z4?

chickdr · 02-04-2012, 01:19 PM

Anyone here know how to remove the round plastic trim that the auxiliary turn signals sit in on the side of the car? I noticed wax has built up in the crevice between the plastic and the body panel and would like to clean it out. I got the hamburger light out last night, but can't figure out how the other piece is held in the body.

I have the TIS, but can't find any info about this part other than how to change the light bulb.

inTgr8r · 02-04-2012, 01:29 PM

Yeah, just twist CCW & it pops out.
You might need a band of rubber (or simlar) to grip it, they get a little tough to break free.

Huz-Z · 02-04-2012, 01:39 PM

Can you get the wax out with a new, soft toothbrush?

chickdr · 02-04-2012, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

Yeah, just twist CCW & it pops out.
You might need a band of rubber (or simlar) to grip it, they get a little tough to break free.

That is the light itself- what about the body colored plastic piece it sits in?

RADRACR · 02-04-2012, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickdr

That is the light itself- what about the body colored plastic piece it sits in?

It's plastic? Could have sworn it's metal. But yes, you twist it CCW just like the light. I know this for a fact because mine was shipped from the factory with a different color from the body and I had it swapped out at the dealer in front of my eyes.

inTgr8r · 02-04-2012, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickdr

That is the light itself- what about the body colored plastic piece it sits in?

yeah...
Just twist the whole thing from the outside
I've had them off many times.

If you look at the reflection in this pic, you can see the tabs (white body) that hold it in .
This one has been disassembled to mod it. It comes off in one piece.

The plastic frame that holds it just pops out.

.

Ron Stygar · 02-04-2012, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aestheticstorm

It's plastic? Could have sworn it's metal. But yes, you twist it CCW just like the light. I know this for a fact because mine was shipped from the factory with a different color from the body and I had it swapped out at the dealer in front of my eyes.

It's plastic or I would have it connected to the fender in one piece.

inTgr8r · 02-04-2012, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Stygar

It's plastic or I would have it connected to the fender in one piece.

^+1 to that Ron.
I would love to remove that cut line.

chickdr · 02-04-2012, 03:03 PM

Ok Ron- how do I get it out? I think folks are thinking I want to take the turn signal/reflector out. I have attached a photo of what I want to remove. I can't find anything to grab on it to take it out. I wonder why it is a separate piece myself. Why doesn't the reflector just snap into a hole in the fender? Don't understand the purpose of having the extra piece there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aestheticstorm

It's plastic? Could have sworn it's metal. But yes, you twist it CCW just like the light. I know this for a fact because mine was shipped from the factory with a different color from the body and I had it swapped out at the dealer in front of my eyes.

Do you remember what they used to grab it? Why would your car have been shipped with a different color? That wasn't an option that I ever heard of. Seems like QC would have caught that one quickly.

Ron Stygar · 02-04-2012, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

You might need a band of rubber (or simlar) to grip it, they get a little tough to break free.

Yes. I tried a grease on the rubber ring and it made it worse.

I used a silicone compound from Chemplex 710 and it works.
I turned it now with hands and it came out easy after a few years.

inTgr8r · 02-04-2012, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickdr

Ok Ron- how do I get it out? I think folks are thinking I want to take the turn signal/reflector out. I have attached a photo of what I want to remove. I can't find anything to grab on it to take it out. I wonder why it is a separate piece myself. Why doesn't the reflector just snap into a hole in the fender? Don't understand the purpose of having the extra piece there.

Do you remember what they used to grab it?

It just pops out after you remove the signal hamburger.

chickdr · 02-04-2012, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

It just pops out after you remove the signal hamburger.

Pops out how? I just now tried to take it out again. I have no idea how it is held there and do not want to break/scratch anything removing it incorrectly. Twisting didn't work.

chickdr · 02-04-2012, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

Can you get the wax out with a new, soft toothbrush?

Just too tight. I need to get the piece out to do it right.

Ron Stygar · 02-04-2012, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickdr

I have the TIS, but can't find any info about this part other than how to change the light bulb.

Remove the signal.

Look at TIS 51 13 095 for the piece you want out.

inTgr8r · 02-04-2012, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickdr

Pops out how? I just now tried to take it out again. I have no idea how it is held there and do not want to break/scratch anything removing it incorrectly. Twisting didn't work.

It must be sealed with the wax.
If you go in through the engine compartment there's a hole that you can reach through.
IIRC it's just plastic tabs that clip it onto the fender.
You should be able to feel them & release them.

RADRACR · 02-04-2012, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickdr

Do you remember what they used to grab it? Why would your car have been shipped with a different color? That wasn't an option that I ever heard of. Seems like QC would have caught that one quickly.

The tech used his hands and popped it out within seconds.

I had a Space Grey piece in there. It actually took me a month after I took delivery to notice it. With so little surface area, it looked very similar to Sepang Bronze under most light. If it were white or red, then yeah, fairly hard to miss

chickdr · 02-04-2012, 06:00 PM

This board is awesome. The trick is to go through the hole inside the engine bay for the passenger side and gently depress the tabs while pushing outward. The drivers side has to be done by removing the hamburger and reaching in with your fingers to depress the tabs while pulling out. They click right back into place when you are done. Lots of grime behind them so I would say it would be smart to clean them out once a year...

inTgr8r · 02-04-2012, 09:17 PM

glad to hear you got them off.

Ron Stygar · 02-04-2012, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickdr

This board is awesome. The trick is to go through the hole inside the engine bay for the passenger side and gently depress the tabs while pushing outward. The drivers side has to be done by removing the hamburger and reaching in with your fingers to depress the tabs while pulling out. They click right back into place when you are done. Lots of grime behind them so I would say it would be smart to clean them out once a year...

Did you look at the TIS?

chickdr · 02-04-2012, 11:38 PM

I did Ron, but it simply says to "unclip trim in outwards direction from the side panel". I think that would have a lot more chance of damaging the clips. BTW- I don't know how you found that in the TIS. I tried looking for it before I asked and could not. The number you gave 51 13 095 of course took me right to it. Thanks again.

Ron Stygar · 02-05-2012, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickdr

I don't know how you found that in the TIS. I tried looking for it before I asked and could not. The number you gave 51 13 095 of course took me right to it. Thanks again.

Main groups are in the TIS (repair) , EPC (parts), WDS (electrical) etc.

If you purchase the cover trim it starts with 51 13

If you purchase the Signal lamp it starts with 63 13

#3
http://www.penskeparts.com/DiagramsR...iagram=51_6112

#1
http://www.penskeparts.com/DiagramsR...iagram=63_0759

If you have the part number you can find the TIS.
Notice the 13 in the middle of the trim and signal trim.

chickdr · 02-05-2012, 12:24 PM

Thanks for the help Ron!

02-04-2012, 01:19 PM	#1
chickdr Lieutenant Colonel 140 Rep 1,992 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buford, GA iTrader: (0)	How to remove side turn signal trim on a Z4? Anyone here know how to remove the round plastic trim that the auxiliary turn signals sit in on the side of the car? I noticed wax has built up in the crevice between the plastic and the body panel and would like to clean it out. I got the hamburger light out last night, but can't figure out how the other piece is held in the body. I have the TIS, but can't find any info about this part other than how to change the light bulb.
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02-04-2012, 01:29 PM	#2
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2435 Rep 11,669 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	Yeah, just twist CCW & it pops out. You might need a band of rubber (or simlar) to grip it, they get a little tough to break free. __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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02-04-2012, 01:39 PM	#3
Huz-Z Brigadier General 856 Rep 4,060 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0si, 328 XDrive, X5 35i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Can you get the wax out with a new, soft toothbrush? __________________ Huz-Z BMW Z4 3.0si Roadster. Montego Blue Metallic. Premium and Sport Package.
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02-04-2012, 06:00 PM	#17
chickdr Lieutenant Colonel 140 Rep 1,992 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buford, GA iTrader: (0)	This board is awesome. The trick is to go through the hole inside the engine bay for the passenger side and gently depress the tabs while pushing outward. The drivers side has to be done by removing the hamburger and reaching in with your fingers to depress the tabs while pulling out. They click right back into place when you are done. Lots of grime behind them so I would say it would be smart to clean them out once a year... Last edited by chickdr; 02-04-2012 at 07:15 PM..
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02-04-2012, 09:17 PM	#18
inTgr8r Lieutenant General 2435 Rep 11,669 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (10)	glad to hear you got them off. __________________ '21 M2C Hockenheim Silver '18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold) '13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold) '07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
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02-04-2012, 11:38 PM	#20
chickdr Lieutenant Colonel 140 Rep 1,992 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buford, GA iTrader: (0)	I did Ron, but it simply says to "unclip trim in outwards direction from the side panel". I think that would have a lot more chance of damaging the clips. BTW- I don't know how you found that in the TIS. I tried looking for it before I asked and could not. The number you gave 51 13 095 of course took me right to it. Thanks again.
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02-05-2012, 12:24 PM	#22
chickdr Lieutenant Colonel 140 Rep 1,992 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buford, GA iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the help Ron!
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