Interior - Creaking Noises From The Instrument Panel

Interior - Creaking Noises From The Instrument Panel

SI M51 04 06

Body Equipment

May 2007

Technical Service

This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. M51 04 06 dated October 2006.

[NEW] designates changes to this revision

SUBJECT

Creaking Noises from the Instrument Panel

MODEL

R50 (Cooper) produced between 07/04 and 3/06

R52 (Cooper convertible and Cooper S convertible) produced between 07/04 and 3/06

R53 (Cooper S) produced between 07/04 and 3/06

SITUATION

The customer may complain of creaking or squeaking noises from the instrument panel area while driving.

Note:

The procedure in this bulletin is for vehicles produced with a "one piece" instrument panel, introduced with 07/ 2002-2006 production. For vehicles

produced with the "two-piece" instrument panel (prior to 07/ 2002-2006 production), refer to SI M51 05 02 and SI M51 08 05 for repairs that address

noises from the instrument panel.

2002-2006 Mini Cooper (R50) L4-1.6L (W10) Page 275

CAUSE

Hard contact between the instrument panel trim, A-pillar trim, and their associated mounting points.

CORRECTION

In case of customer complaint, install an anti-creaking kit as per the following instructions.

PROCEDURE

Remove the upper trim on the instrument panel per Repair Instructions RA 51 45 050 and install an anticreaking kit as described in the following

procedure.

Notes:

^ Any of the following items that have previously been installed should be removed and re-applied as per the following instructions.

^ [NEW] If the affected vehicle is equipped with Head Airbags, code S262A, the A-Pillar trim cover should be replaced following its removal as

per Repair instructions RA 51 43 201.

The anti-creaking kit consists of the following items:

1)

^ Place the upper instrument panel trim (1) upside down on a clean, level surface.

^ Apply felt tape (3) to the upper instrument panel trim centering pin (1).

^ This felt strip should be folded over the tip of the centering pin.

2002-2006 Mini Cooper (R50) L4-1.6L (W10) Page 276

2)

^ Return to the exposed top of the instrument panel (2) and apply a felt strip (E4) to the left side instrument panel mount (1).

^ Repeat for the right side instrument panel mount.

3)

^ Lift the edge of the instrument panel top (1) and install 1 insulation pad (E1) to each side of the defrost housing (2), between the instrument panel

and instrument panel support.

Note:

Position the insulation pads partially under the instrument panel top, in the direction indicated by the arrows.

4)

^ Apply a felt strip (E4) to the front of each side of the windshield defrost housing (1).

2002-2006 Mini Cooper (R50) L4-1.6L (W10) Page 277

5)

^ Apply a foam block (E5) to the location shown on both the left and right sides of the instrument panel top (1).

6)

^ Apply a foam block (E6) to both the left and right side instrument panel support (1) as shown.

^ This location is adjacent to the foam blocks applied in step 5, and should overlap those blocks by approximately 10 mm.

7)

^ Insert 2 insulation pads (E1) between the instrument panel frame (2) and support bracket (1).

^ The support bracket may need to be lifted slightly to fit the pads beneath it.

2002-2006 Mini Cooper (R50) L4-1.6L (W10) Page 278

8)

^ Apply a felt strip (E4) to the instrument cluster centering guide (2) located above the radio housing (1).

9)

^ Apply a felt strip (E4) to the top center of the opening for the instrument cluster located in the center of the instrument panel (1).

^ The rear edge of the felt strip should be folded up toward the front of the vehicle.

10)

^ Apply a felt strip (E3) to the front edge of the instrument panel support (1) located behind the steering wheel and gauge pod.

2002-2006 Mini Cooper (R50) L4-1.6L (W10) Page 279

11)

^ Apply a felt strip (E2) to the left and right side of the vertical surface facing the windshield (1) as shown in the illustration.

^ This area is in front of the instrument panel, forward of the defroster vent.

12)

^ Apply a felt strip (E2), to the front of the instrument panel support (2) above the glove box opening (1).

13)

^ In the same area, apply 1 felt strip to each of the following locations:

^ The front of the instrument panel support (2).

^ The front of the instrument panel bracket (3) located on the right side above the glove box opening (1).

2002-2006 Mini Cooper (R50) L4-1.6L (W10) Page 280

14)

^ On the left side of the glove box opening (1), apply a felt strip (E4) to the front of the instrument panel bracket (2).

15)

^ On the back of the left and right A-pillar molding, apply strips of felt tape (2) along the leading edge of the trim.

^ Apply a 1" long strip of felt tape to the bottom of the A-pillar trim (4).

^ Note: The felt strips should be applied to the edge of the trim (1) but not beyond the edge, as it would then be visible from inside the vehicle.

16)

^ Apply 1" strips of felt tape to the 5 retaining clips (2) on the left side instrument panel decorative trim (1).

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17)

^ Apply 1" strips of felt tape to the 5 retaining clips (2) on the right side instrument panel decorative trim (1).

18)

^ Apply felt tape (1) to the left side of the middle instrument panel decorative trim (2).

^ Excess material should be folded under the trim panel.

^ Repeat for the right side.

19)

^ Apply 1" felt strips to the 4 retaining clips (2) on the middle instrument panel decorative trim (1).

2002-2006 Mini Cooper (R50) L4-1.6L (W10) Page 282

20)

^ Remove the knee bolster (1) per repair instruction RA 51 16 392.

^ Apply a 1" felt strip (2) to each retaining clip (3) on the knee bolster.

21)

^ Reinstall all trim and the instrument panel cover.

^ Road test and verify that no creaking noises are present.

[NEW] PARTS INFORMATION

2002-2006 Mini Cooper (R50) L4-1.6L (W10) Page 283