Heater control head unit alignment..help!

[MMMEAT]

Does anyone else notice that their left side of the heater control unit is "out" more than the right side? I've managed to pull the unit out, and it looks like there are a lot of wires back behind the left side, and never could cram it into the dash cluster a little more..The leather trim is definitely deeper on the right side than the left. I'd just like to square it up a little better. Any tips?

Thanks!

IMG364.jpg

[shogun]

If you have managed to pull the unit out, then probably the plastic clamp is broken on the left side. # 14 Clamp 64111374250 $5.42 http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=64_1817
http://bmwe32.masscom.net/johan//IHK...KA_lights.html

[unity]

I know I broke/lost my clamp. Never replaced it. Actually makes it a lot easier to remove since it normally sits so snug in there. But mine is even left to right. I wonder if the clamp is still in place in a locked, or whatever position, and preventing it from going back all the way. Also on mine there are not many wires, I actually have spare room behind mine.

[MMMEAT]

I know I broke/lost my clamp. Never replaced it. Actually makes it a lot easier to remove since it normally sits so snug in there. But mine is even left to right. I wonder if the clamp is still in place in a locked, or whatever position, and preventing it from going back all the way. Also on mine there are not many wires, I actually have spare room behind mine.

(EDIT) OK I"ve slid it out once again and the clip is there..I didn't have to use the prying/poking with small screwdriver procedure to pull it out. Perhaps someone has done this in addition to me, and loosened up the clip over time? It just doesn't seem to grip the plastic over on the side at all..and it doesn't seem to have any "spring" to it. So when I push hard, It'll go into good alignment, but then it pops out a couple mm and looks off again (and sinks a bit down too). I'm wondering if a new clamp would have better spring to it, perhaps? And then how in the world does the old one come out and the new one go in, for that matter? The pivot pin seems to not have any give on the ends up or down, in and out of the mount holes. What am I missing?

Thanks a lot for the feedback, Guys. I too find it really snug in there, and it is interesting that the clamp is only used on one side and it is the left side jutting out..

This forum and the ability to run some thoughts up the flagpole with you guys is great for my sanity

[shogun]

It is just a clip, no spring. Maybe you have installed in the wrong way? 64111374250 , here a pic od the clip https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...p/64111374250/
The plastic is flexible enough to bend the ends a bit when you install a new clip.
I do it like unity, leave it, as it is really not that easy to remove a properly installed IHKA unit, many break the clip or damage the housing. https://www.bmwtechinfo.com/repair/m...es/4810943.jpg

[CroughtonE32]

Funny, A few years ago I replaced my unit. Forgot to transfer the clip from my old unit to the one I bought on Ebay. The New unit corrected three problems I had with my HVAC system. It was an easy repair. For two years I would see that left side popping out and just thought it maybe came from a different model, didn't fit but I'd just deal with it. One day I mentioned it to a BMW mechanic who looked and had a good laugh. Said, did you throw the old one out, I said I never throw anything out. He took the clip off the old unit, attached it to my new one, and snapped it right in. One of the many times I've felt like an idiot after doing a self repair since 1990.

[MMMEAT]

I've come to the conclusion that my clip is just fine..It's the surround/side that it grabs that is sort of warped or worn to the extent that it is just not grabbing/holding properly. I will have to build some sort of metal surround for that area, or rebuild it somehow, or just live with it, it appears. I even tried putting a wad of paper back behind the clip to push it out some, to no avail. I'm stumped. I am also worried that I've removed it so many times now that it is wearing the surround a bit more each time I push and pull it in and out.

Hmm..

[CroughtonE32]

When all else fails.......................https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001IY82FM...a-307086842855