I did this exact thing to my 1990 760T last week. The clip you speak of was very tight. I applied pressure and finally the plastic facia that holds the switches came loose and the metal clip fell behind the knee bolster. I put it on and off a couple of times and the clip never came off with the plasitc facia piece. I believe that the end of the J shape is actually behind the dash and will not come off. The metal clip attahes to the plasic piece and will come off. I hope this helps.

Steve

1990 760 T

149,000 miles