Remove front ceiling panel in 2007 X3

[nikasp]

Hi, first post here:

I have an annoying rattle from the ceiling panel, in the front just behind the reading lights, at low revs. When I press the panel up it goes silent right away. I want to access it so I can make it silent with some 3M adhesive tape. Advice and pictures how to make it come loose without braking anything is much appreciated.

Mine looks something like this. It is the rear panel that sometimes rattles ever so slightly.

[nikasp]

Any ideas? I checked my panel when driving home and I only have blind plugs och each side of the "air bag off" warning light in the middle. I find tons of threads about changing bulbs but that is not the panel I am after.

[trapdoor]

They just 'pop out' of the headlining. I have removed mine several times. Just get your fingernails in between the panel and headlining and gently prise the panel down with a kind of pushing force down and towards the front of the car. It should just pop right out.

[nikasp]

Thanks, lacking real prying tools I will borrow my spouses plastic spatula and sneak out now (fingernails did not work for me, too tight fit)

[nikasp]

Thanks a lot for the advice, came right off after some violence and swearing. It was the airbag warning light that could rattle a bit. Some 3M tape and now it should be forever silent.

[trapdoor]

Yeah, plastic spatua's are good .... glad you got it sorted. I just hate any kind or rattle.

[nikasp]

I ended up tearing down both and they are now dead silent after applying some 3M double sided tape. I left the protecting tape on so they should be easy to detach again if needed. I rode on very bad roads for a few days during vacation so now I am after a few more rattles

EDIT: actually it I had to tape all the contact points around both panels to get it silent. The airbag lamp did not do it.