e92 Side Gill Removal

hdpt00 · 07-29-2009, 12:02 AM

I can't get the damn things off. Watched the youtube video, read the comments, etc... where should I be pressing and pulling etc etc. On one side I can sort of feel the things snapping out; I tug away from car and thing won't pop off.

I'm starting to think the 110+ heat in AZ welded the gill to the door. Any help appreciated, going nuts. These chrome side gills are slowing down my car, I know they have at least +10hp boost!

bunnn · 07-29-2009, 12:16 AM

lol if it makes you feel anybetter..i'm struggling here in toronto too, so it's not your heat =D

mye90 · 07-29-2009, 03:58 AM

I'd recommend that you bring it to the dealer or local shop and have the professionals do it

Subw00er · 07-29-2009, 08:02 AM

squeeze and sort of pull down. mine came right off. watch the black plastic piece inside the hole. mine came off and went inside the fender!

hdpt00 · 07-29-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subw00er

squeeze and sort of pull down. mine came right off. watch the black plastic piece inside the hole. mine came off and went inside the fender!

I'm squeezing but it doesn't feel like its budging at all, feels very rigid.

SV Concepts III · 07-29-2009, 12:48 PM

It requires some force but not much I can say other than squeeze and pull.

eclipsisNA · 07-29-2009, 01:01 PM

It's actually VERY simple when you know how to do it correctly. With your thumbs on top of the gill and your other four fingers on the bottom, pull down in a clockwise motion, down and away from yourself but towards the car and it'll pop right out. You do not pinch and pull straight out, that will get you nowhere.

hdpt00 · 07-29-2009, 03:47 PM

Do they rotate and pinch like the attached?

DrL · 07-29-2009, 04:31 PM

just pinch HARD and GENTLY rock up and down, mostly up (bottom clips came out first on both of mine), with only little range of motion (in other words don't crank aggressively up and down). Once one clip comes out just keep wiggling all the others out.

E90///M3` · 07-29-2009, 05:14 PM

i could've sworn there was a DIY thread about this specific topic

hdpt00 · 07-29-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90///M3`

i could've sworn there was a DIY thread about this specific topic

read it... not coming out...

bape · 07-31-2009, 07:00 AM

i too had trouble getting them off much harder than imagined. got them all replaced eventually, but also made tiny dent on both side trying to get it out

longtran · 07-31-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bape

i too had trouble getting them off much harder than imagined. got them all replaced eventually, but also made tiny dent on both side trying to get it out

how do you make a dent on plastic?

JCtx · 07-31-2009, 12:42 PM

A pic of the underside of a removed gill would help the OP a lot, so he knows where the clips are and how they secure the part. Anyone?

sg///M3 · 08-01-2009, 12:48 AM

You can also jam a small cloth-wrapped screwdriver between the fender and the gill to help with the removal. Just be careful not to scratch your paint. It's what I did.

Swancoat · 08-01-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elp_jc

A pic of the underside of a removed gill would help the OP a lot, so he knows where the clips are and how they secure the part. Anyone?

If he's removing them, he's probably got some replacement gills in his hands to look at for reference.

JCtx · 08-01-2009, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swancoat

If he's removing them, he's probably got some replacement gills in his hands to look at for reference.

My understanding is the outer portion you change is just a 'sleeve', meaning the inner part with the actual light is what has the clips. Could be wrong though

. NOW we need a picture

. Or even better: A VIDEO

.

Subw00er · 08-01-2009, 07:58 PM

Guys its really not that hard. Just squeeze with medium pressure both hands, aim/angle down, and pull towards the back of the car. They come right out.

ponch_ki · 08-02-2009, 05:27 AM

you need to put some pressure, or until the grills soften up a bit. I admit when I got mine off my fingers hurt a little bit

SECRET M · 08-02-2009, 01:29 PM

rotate up. pivot about the long edge closer to the hood. just keep working at it. i know girls who could get it out, so don't be a school girl about it. go back and man up.

07-29-2009, 12:02 AM	#1
hdpt00 Private 12 Rep 99 Posts Drives: Mo-Ped Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	e92 Side Gill Removal - $%#^!!!!!! I can't get the damn things off. Watched the youtube video, read the comments, etc... where should I be pressing and pulling etc etc. On one side I can sort of feel the things snapping out; I tug away from car and thing won't pop off. I'm starting to think the 110+ heat in AZ welded the gill to the door. Any help appreciated, going nuts. These chrome side gills are slowing down my car, I know they have at least +10hp boost!
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07-29-2009, 12:16 AM	#2
bunnn Colonel 86 Rep 2,266 Posts Drives: like a grandma Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (12)	lol if it makes you feel anybetter..i'm struggling here in toronto too, so it's not your heat =D __________________ Cheers Ben
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07-29-2009, 03:58 AM	#3
mye90 Private First Class 8 Rep 151 Posts Drives: E90 330I Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	I'd recommend that you bring it to the dealer or local shop and have the professionals do it __________________ 08 e92 M3 07 e90 335i 06 R53 S 04 Z33
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07-29-2009, 08:02 AM	#4
Subw00er Bates '08 Interlagos Launch 126 Rep 1,230 Posts Drives: 440i xGC, ZL1, JCW Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NY iTrader: (2)	squeeze and sort of pull down. mine came right off. watch the black plastic piece inside the hole. mine came off and went inside the fender! __________________ Custom Exhaust Project: Bates Valvetronic exhaust: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253661 -- Exhaust Mod pics in here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/40236795@N03/ DON'T BUY Race Ready Performance electronic cutout valves. Here's why: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...40#post9589740
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07-29-2009, 12:48 PM	#6
SV Concepts III Lieutenant General 375 Rep 17,017 Posts Drives: BMW Duh Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Clara iTrader: (13)	It requires some force but not much I can say other than squeeze and pull.
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07-29-2009, 01:01 PM	#7
eclipsisNA Colonel 350 Rep 2,937 Posts Drives: 2013 Estoril 328i M Sport Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Beverly Hills, CA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2014 BMW 428i [7.76]	It's actually VERY simple when you know how to do it correctly. With your thumbs on top of the gill and your other four fingers on the bottom, pull down in a clockwise motion, down and away from yourself but towards the car and it'll pop right out. You do not pinch and pull straight out, that will get you nowhere. Last edited by eclipsisNA; 07-29-2009 at 01:18 PM..
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07-29-2009, 03:47 PM	#8
hdpt00 Private 12 Rep 99 Posts Drives: Mo-Ped Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Do they rotate and pinch like the attached? Attached Images
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07-29-2009, 04:31 PM	#9
DrL Private 3 Rep 52 Posts Drives: GT3 RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Carlsbad iTrader: (0)	just pinch HARD and GENTLY rock up and down, mostly up (bottom clips came out first on both of mine), with only little range of motion (in other words don't crank aggressively up and down). Once one clip comes out just keep wiggling all the others out.
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07-29-2009, 05:14 PM	#10
E90///M3` Major General 141 Rep 5,264 Posts Drives: 2008 E90M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Daly City -4- Work///Camarillo is Home iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 BMW E90 M3 [7.60]	i could've sworn there was a DIY thread about this specific topic __________________ - Jason P :Have: 08 E90M3, Varis VRS Front Lip, LS3, ESS Supercharger, Arqray Exhaust, Neez Wheels :Want: VRS Carbon GT Wing & Cooling Bonnet, LCI Taillights :Videos: EnvyRidesTV, GPR 1, GPR 2, GPR 3, ///MFEST
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07-31-2009, 07:00 AM	#12
bape Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 290 Posts Drives: e92 m3 DCT Join Date: May 2009 Location: London iTrader: (1)	i too had trouble getting them off much harder than imagined. got them all replaced eventually, but also made tiny dent on both side trying to get it out
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07-31-2009, 12:42 PM	#14
JCtx Major General 258 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	A pic of the underside of a removed gill would help the OP a lot, so he knows where the clips are and how they secure the part. Anyone?
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08-01-2009, 12:48 AM	#15
sg///M3 Lieutenant 6 Rep 436 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 DCT Join Date: May 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	You can also jam a small cloth-wrapped screwdriver between the fender and the gill to help with the removal. Just be careful not to scratch your paint. It's what I did.
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08-01-2009, 07:58 PM	#18
Subw00er Bates '08 Interlagos Launch 126 Rep 1,230 Posts Drives: 440i xGC, ZL1, JCW Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NY iTrader: (2)	Guys its really not that hard. Just squeeze with medium pressure both hands, aim/angle down, and pull towards the back of the car. They come right out. __________________ Custom Exhaust Project: Bates Valvetronic exhaust: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253661 -- Exhaust Mod pics in here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/40236795@N03/ DON'T BUY Race Ready Performance electronic cutout valves. Here's why: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...40#post9589740
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08-02-2009, 05:27 AM	#19
ponch_ki Second Lieutenant 53 Rep 297 Posts Drives: cars Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Manila, Philippines iTrader: (0)	you need to put some pressure, or until the grills soften up a bit. I admit when I got mine off my fingers hurt a little bit
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08-02-2009, 01:29 PM	#20
SECRET M Engineer 36 Rep 277 Posts Drives: N/A Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Northern California iTrader: (1)	rotate up. pivot about the long edge closer to the hood. just keep working at it. i know girls who could get it out, so don't be a school girl about it. go back and man up. __________________ [Sold] 2008 BMW ///M3 :: Space Gray\|Black
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