Broke the MID mounting screw...

Troy_K · #1 08-17-2009, 07:05 AM

OK, you all are going to get a little comic relief out of this.

So, I think I am a pretty technical guy and I have done a lot of circuit level repairs over the years. Well, I decided that I was going to at least look at the ribbon cable on the MID to see if I could fix the pixel problems.

I have read the instructions for MID removal, pretty straight forward.
(I have a great set of tools, it's just that my ex-wifes boyfriend has them all, but I am pretty sure just for safe keeping. He is probably just keeping them clean and organized.)

So being without my torx drivers, I headed to the tool store, got my size 10 torx driver. In the parking lot, just to make sure I had purchased the right size. I removed the MID. Very simple instructions, as others here have posted. I inserted the torx driver into the hole that is visible when the volume know is removed, with a 1/4 turn to the left the MID came right out, even easier than I had hoped. I put it back in, turned the screw to the right 1/4 turn, and drove home.

(I think this is where I messed up. I thought to myself, "this is going to be quick and easy")

Now here's where it gets good. I went to remove it again, this time, when I turned the screw, "POP". The screw broke off inside the little access hole. All I can see through the access hole, is what appears to be the little hole that the screw is supposed to go into. The MID is locked in place.

Does anyone know of another way to get this thing out? I have looked and searched everywhere I could think to look.
ANY help will be greatly appreciated.

I have a 2002 X5, 4.4i, (I'm sure you all know, it is an E53 with M62) , I'm not sure what other info I should provide.

Thanks everyone.
--Troy

Weasel · #2 08-17-2009, 07:47 AM

Not 100% sure, but pretty sure the screw just cams over the spring loaded latch/catch... You may be able to stick a slightly bent piece of coathanger or something of the like in there and release the catch. Worth a try.

And I think I saw a thread before with the same problem of the broken screw, but am not sure how they had the thread titled.

Troy_K · #3 08-17-2009, 08:11 AM

Well, that is what I have been trying, Using a paperclip to reach in. didn't seem like there was much torque on it, so I would think I should be able to catch it eventually. I have looked everywhere I can think so far to find a picture of the bottom of that area, but so far no luck.

BTW, I did find another post here, from Spartin, but it is from 2006, and it had no responses.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...MID#post216687

Thanks for your input.
--Troy

Weasel · #4 08-17-2009, 09:32 PM

I don't think the paperclip is gonna have quite enough stout, I'd try a piece of coat hanger and maybe push the MID face in while prying to relieve pressure from the clips, then let go and pull...

Holy crap! I just remembered I have an extra MID in my toolbox that just needs the nut for the volume knob to be fully operational without any missing pixels! If I remember I'll bring it home and snap a shot so people can know what buttons/options it is for.

Troy_K · #5 08-18-2009, 01:41 AM

That would be awesome. Looking forward to them.

This site and members are amazing.

thanks again,

--Troy

Ctsiegf · #6 05-19-2014, 09:05 PM

Welp. Broke my mid screw trying to take mine out as well. What a flimsy P.O.S. Used the right T10 screwdriver. Gave it a quarter turn and it exploded.

To get it out
1. Get pissed off
2. Use a panel popping tool to slide in the driver's side seam by the mid
3. Pry really hard out and over until it pops out . Try not to mark up the bezel of the MID.

The clasps are unaffected so once the LCD is fixed it will snap right back in. To get it out it will have to pried out each time.

I'll see if the MID repair guy can fix it or at least get out the new rattling piece.

-Carter

Ctsiegf · #7 05-24-2014, 10:11 AM

Updating this in case anyone else has the issue.

Got the MID back yesterday and everything is perfect again.

When I was originally shipping the package, the cam fell out of the MID in the post office. The arms were twisted into a ball from the "unscrewing." I taped it to the invoice and called the repair service and they said they would look at it.

Now that it is back together, I can see that only the tiniest pressure causes the arm to retract. So use two finger pressure if you have to take your MID out.

Have to give a shout out to Bimmer_hillstore on ebay for pixel repair. Said they'd look at it on the phone. Got it back and everything was fixed. No questions asked. Also, I shipped it Tuesday and they had it back at my house Friday. Nice.

Hope this can help someone else.

-Carter