How To: Floor matt removal

[Petrus]

Carpet removal how to:

I removed the carpet from Belle and am very taken with the result.
For me the goal was adding lightness but it resulted in a look that fits very well with the retro dash. Also the floor gives more direct info about the road and the perception of space I lóve.

It is not complicated at all but, a bit fiddly because of old plastic press fits so take your time.

Prepare carton or carpet next to the sills so you are comfortable on your knees,
a vacuum cleaner and
a bucket of soapy water with a rag.

Do nót start with taking the sill cover out, as the uncovered weld seam will be uncomfortable working in the interior.

Thus, after disconnecting the plus of the battery!!!!! ´start´ with taking the seats out. Four bolts, 17mm head, to unbolt; put them on their sides to unclip the seatbelt sensor connector. This has a squeeze tab you will spot easily enough.

Next unbolt the safety belt using the same socket wrench. If you prefer, take the belt out first. I preferred it being taut when lifting the seats out. Fold the back forwards for easy manouvering. Do not grab it at the slide adjuster as that will see the slides ... slide.

Now take the  center console out. Pry out the shifter surround, undo four philips head screws, two each side and lift it up enough to tilt it on it´s side. The two window switch connectors unclip easily and the cable is held by a push fit wubbah. Now you can lift it out.

Although not strictly neccessary, I undid the front M6 screws holding the rear cubby floor in as it makes it easier to pull the carpet from underneath. This means taking out the cubby doors ofcourse, if you have those fitted.
The carpet is held to the cross beam under the cubby by a press grommet each side.

Now the front end.
Prise the drivers foot rest out first. It is a press fit on two plastic studs. No need to take the metal off. Put a broad headed screw driver under the lower side and lever it up. Leave the screwdriver  underneath and prise the upper end up. Grab and pull. Presto!

The plastic wheelwell cover has a simple screw holding the inner top edge to the floor. You should be able to unscrew it by hand. Lift the edge and pull the carpet from underneath, over the screw sticking up from the floor.

Pull the velcro under the entertainment pod loose and pry the carpet from under the supports. It is just pushed under.
Same thing the velco straps in the centre under the handbrake lever assembly.

This leaves the plastic cover of the petrol door/ engine lid lock. Simple as that is, this is the most tricky of all, so go figure how uncomplicated it all is :-)
The cover is a simple press fit and the tab hafway the lock and rear snaps off very easily. Best try lift the tab at the front over the metal bracket first so the rear cemes out more easily.
No worry if it snaps though; a dab of flexible glue will keep it down when refitted.

Nów remove the sill covers. They are a simple push down fit BUT mind the small ´hook´ at the point behind the safety belt bolt. Unhook the small tab at that end first. Then pull the cover upwards.

The carpet is now all ready to be lifted out.
Ditto the two fluffy pads in the footwells.

With the carpet out clean the floor, sills, whatever.

You can now also take the opportunity to adjust the handbrake cable.

Reassembly is pretty much the reverse 🙂
Start with the wheelwell nuts, push in the foot rest*, refit the cubby floor screws/doors, refit the console (don´t forget the cable grommet).

Before mounting seats/seatbelt, cut whatever you want to fit on the floor to size. You will find that it makes no sense to use the floor matts as a template; the floor space is way larger.
* you can opt to cut the covering large enough to go under the foot rest and this will help keep it in place. The downside is that you will need to lift the footthingamy out to get the matt out for cleaning. Pick your agravation :-)

Mount seats/seatbelt.
Reconnect battery and reset clock.

Have fun.

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