How to Remove the Knee Bolster in a Mini Cooper

The knee bolster, or kick panel, in your Mini Cooper is a barrier to protect you from kicking the wires and electrical connectors under the dashboard. There is one knee bolster on each side of the dashboard, directly in front of the passenger and driver seats. You must remove the knee bolster to access any of the connectors or other components under the dashboard. The Mini Cooper's knee bolster can be removed in a matter of minutes.

Instructions

1

Park the Mini Cooper on a flat, level surface. Engage the parking brake.

2

Remove the hood release handle if you are removing the driver's-side knee bolster. Remove the screw from the handle using a Phillips-head screwdriver; pull off the handle.

3

Remove four 8 mm bolts from the knee bolster using a socket wrench.

4

Pull off the knee bolster from the Mini Cooper. Follow the removal steps in reverse to reinstall the knee bolster.