Interior Trim Removal / Installation - Pillar Areas
Interior Trim Removal/Installation - Pillar Areas
Special Tools Required
- KTC Trim Tool Set SOJATP2014
*Available through the Acura Tool and Equipment Program; call 888-424-6857
A-Pillar Trim
SRS components are located in this area. Review the SRS component locations Locations and the precautions and procedures Service and Repair before doing repairs or service.
NOTE:
- If side airbags and/or side curtain airbags have deployed, the affected pillar area trim and attachment clips must be replaced. Refer to Component Replacement/Inspection After Deployment Service and Repair.
- Put on gloves to protect your hands.
- Take care not to scratch the trims or the panels.
- Use the appropriate tool from the KTC trim tool set to avoid damage when removing components.
- The upper clip (A) in the A-pillar trim (B) consists of a plastic grommet (C) and a metal pin (D). The grommet expanded by the pin secures it to the body panel (E). The projections (F) on the pin will break during removal, so the upper clip must be replaced with a new one when the trim is reinstalled.
1. Pull the front door opening seal away from the A-pillar as needed.
2. Hit the upper clip (A) in the A-pillar trim (B) with a rubber mallet. The clip is located under the point where the index tab (C) on the edge of the trim indicates. Hitting the clip breaks the projections (D) on the pin (E) and pushes it into the grommet (F) on the body (G).
NOTE: The upper clip must be replaced with a new one when the A-pillar trim is reinstalled.
3. Pull back the top of the A-pillar trim (A) by hand to remove the upper clip (B) from the body (C).
4. Pull the A-pillar trim (A) by hand to detach the clip. Pull up the trim from the dashboard (B), and disconnect the tweeter connector (C), then remove the trim.
NOTE: Be careful not to damage the tweeter connector when removing the A-pillar trim.
5. If the side curtain airbag has deployed, replace the A-pillar trim, along with the other parts listed for side curtain airbag deployment Service and Repair.
6. If the side curtain airbag has not deployed, check the A-pillar trim (A) and note the following items:
- To prevent the side curtain airbags from deploying improperly and possibly causing injury, inspect the A-pillar trim and replace it with a new one if it has any of the following damage:
- Any cracks, deformations, or stress-whitened areas in the A-pillar trim
- Any cracks or stress-whitening in the clip seating surfaces (B)
- After checking and adjusting the overlap between the headliner and the A-pillar trim, replace the upper clip (C) with a new one.
- If the clip (D) is damaged or stress-whitened, replace it with a new one.
7. Temporarily install the A-pillar trim (without the upper clip) to check the overlap between the trim and the headliner. Remove the trim, and if necessary, adjust the overlap.
8. Carefully install the new upper clip (A) to the A-pillar trim (B). Be sure that the grommet (C) is nearest to the top of the pin (D) as shown.
9. Reinstall the A-pillar trim (A).
1. Insert the bottom of the trim into the dashboard (B), then reconnect the tweeter connector (C).
2. Place the trim over the A-pillar (D), and fit the upper clip (E) and the lower clip into the holes (F) in the A-pillar, then lightly push the trim into place.
NOTE:
- Make sure the side curtain airbag is not tucked under the clips or the trim ribs.
- Do not push too hard on the A-pillar trim. If you push too hard, the clip will be damaged, and it will not hold the trim properly.
- Gently tug on the A-pillar trim to verify that all clips are securely fastened.
10. Reinstall the front door opening seal.
B-Pillar Upper/Lower Trim
SRS components are located in this area. Review the SRS component locations Locations and the precautions and procedures Service and Repair before doing repairs or service.
NOTE:
- If side airbags and/or side curtain airbags have deployed, the affected pillar area trim and attachment clips must be replaced. Refer to Component Replacement/Inspection After Deployment Service and Repair.
- Put on gloves to protect your hands.
- Take care not to bend or scratch the trims or the panels.
- Use the appropriate tool from the KTC trim tool set to avoid damage when removing components.
1. Remove these items:
- Front door sill trim
- Rear door sill trim
2. Slide the front seat forward fully.
3. Remove the B-pillar lower trim (A).
1. Pull back the upper area of the trim to release the hooks (B).
2. Detach the clip by pulling back the bottom of the trim by hand.
4. Remove these items:
- Front seat belt lower anchor
- Front door opening seal, as needed
- Rear door opening seal, as needed
5. Remove the B-pillar upper trim (A).
1. Pull back the bottom of the trim by hand to release the lower hooks (B).
2. Pull back the bottom of the trim to detach the clip.
3. Pull down the trim to release the upper hooks (C) from the holes in the body.
6. Pass the front seat belt lower anchor (A) out through a hole in the slider (B), then remove the B-pillar upper trim (C).
7. Install the trim in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:
- If the side curtain airbag has deployed, replace the B-pillar upper trim (A), the B-pillar lower trim (B), and the clip (C), along with the other parts listed for side curtain airbag deployment Service and Repair.
- To prevent the side curtain airbags from deploying improperly and possibly causing injury, inspect the trim and replace it with a new one if it has any of the following damage:
- Any cracks or deformations in the B-pillar upper trim or the hooks (D), or any stress-whitened areas in the upper part of the trim
- Any cracks or deformations in the B-pillar lower trim, or any breakages in the area (E) that overlaps the B-pillar upper trim
- Any cracks or stress-whitening in the clip seating surface (F)
- If the clip is damaged or stress-whitened, replace it with a new one.
- Replace any damaged parts with new ones.
- Make sure the top of the trim overlaps with the headliner correctly.
- Make sure the pin (G) on the front seat belt shoulder anchor adjuster (H) and the hole (I) on the back of the slider are engaged when installing the B-pillar upper trim.
- Make sure the upper hooks are installed into the holes in the body securely.
- Push the clip and the hooks into place securely.
- Before installing the anchor bolt, make sure there are no twists or kinks in the seat belt.
Trim inspection
Slider engagement with shoulder anchor adjuster
C-Pillar Trim
SRS components are located in this area. Review the SRS component locations Locations and the precautions and procedures Service and Repair before doing repairs or service.
NOTE:
- If side airbags and/or side curtain airbags have deployed, the affected pillar area trim and attachment clips must be replaced. Refer to Component Replacement/Inspection After Deployment Service and Repair.
- Put on gloves to protect your hands.
- Take care not to scratch the trims or the panels.
- Use the appropriate tool from the KTC trim tool set to avoid damage when removing components.
- The upper clip (A) in the C-pillar trim (B) consists of a plastic grommet (C) and a metal pin (D). The grommet expanded by the pin secures it to the body panel (E). The projections (F) on the pin will break during removal, so the upper clip must be replaced with a new one when the trim is reinstalled.
1. Remove these items:
- Rear seat-back Rear Seat Removal / Installation
- Rear door opening seal, as needed
2. Hit the upper clip (A) in the C-pillar trim (B) with a rubber mallet. Hitting the clip breaks the projections (C) on the pin (D) and pushes it into the grommet (E) on the body (F).
NOTE: The upper clip must be replaced with a new one when the C-pillar trim is reinstalled.
3. Pull back the top of the C-pillar trim (A) by hand to remove the upper clip (B) from the body (C).
4. Pull the C-pillar trim (A) by hand to detach the clips and to release the hooks (B), then pull out the trim from the rear shelf (C).
5. If the side curtain airbag has deployed, replace the C-pillar trim, along with the other parts listed for side curtain airbag deployment Service and Repair.
6. If the side curtain airbag has not deployed, check the C-pillar trim (A) and note the following items:
- To prevent the side curtain airbags from deploying improperly and possibly causing injury, inspect the trim and replace it with a new one if it has any of the following damage:
- Any cracks, deformations, or stress-whitened areas in the C-pillar trim
- Any cracks or stress-whitening in the clip seating surfaces (B)
- After checking and adjusting the overlap between the headliner and the C-pillar trim, replace the upper clip (C) with a new one.
- If the clips (D) are damaged or stress-whitened, replace them with new ones.
7. Temporarily install the C-pillar trim (without the upper clip) to check the overlap between the trim and the headliner. Remove the trim, and if necessary, adjust the overlap.
8. Carefully install the new upper clip (A) to the C-pillar trim (B). Be sure that the grommet (C) is nearest to the top of the pin (D) as shown.
9. Reinstall the C-pillar trim (A).
1. Insert the bottom hooks (B) of the trim in the rear shelf (C).
2. Place the trim over the C-pillar (D), and fit the upper clip (E) and the lower clips into the holes (F) in the C-pillar, then lightly push the trim into place.
NOTE:
- Make sure the side curtain airbag is not tucked under the clips or the trim ribs.
- Do not push too hard on the C-pillar trim. If you push too hard, the clip will be damaged, and it will not hold the trim properly.
- Gently tug on the C-pillar trim to verify that all clips are securely fastened.
10. Reinstall the rear door opening seal.