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 bend or scratch the trim or the panel.
- 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 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. 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 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 out 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 been 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 its upper clip (E) and the clip into the holes 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 trim or the panel.
- Use the appropriate tool from the KTC trim tool set to avoid damage when removing components.
- The upper clip (A) in the B-pillar upper 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 break during removal, so the upper clip must be replaced with a new one when the trim is reinstalled.





1. Remove these items:

- Front door sill trim
- Rear door sill trim

2. Slide the front seat forward fully.

3. Pull back the upper area of the B-pillar lower trim (A) to detach the clips, then release the hooks (B), and remove the trim.






4. Remove these items:

- Front seat belt lower anchor
- Front door opening seal, as needed
- Rear door opening seal, as needed

5. Hit the upper clip (A) in the B-pillar upper trim (B) with a rubber mallet. Hitting the trim surface slides 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 B-pillar upper trim is reinstalled.










6. Pull back the top of the B-pillar upper trim (A) by hand to remove the upper clip (B) from the body (C).










7. Pull back the upper area of the B-pillar upper trim (A) by hand to release the hooks (B), then remove the trim.






8. If the side curtain airbag has deployed, replace the upper B-pillar trim, along with the other parts listed for side curtain airbag deployment Service and Repair.

9. If the side curtain airbag has not deployed, check the B-pillar upper trim (A) and the B-pillar lower trim (B), and note the following items:

- To prevent the side curtain airbags from deploying improperly and possibly causing injury, inspect the B-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 B-pillar upper trim
- Any cracks or deformations in the B-pillar lower trim, or any breakages in the area (C) that overlaps the B-pillar upper trim
- Any cracks or stress-whitening in the clip seating surface (D)

- After checking and adjusting the overlap between the headliner and the B-pillar upper trim, replace the upper clip (E) with a new one.





10. Temporarily install the B-pillar upper trim (without the upper clip) to check the overlap between the trim and the headliner. Remove the trim, and if necessary, adjust the overlap.

11. Carefully install the new upper clip (A) to the B-pillar upper trim (B). Be sure that the grommet (C) is nearest to the top of the pin (D) as shown.






12. Reinstall the B-pillar upper trim (A).

1. Insert the hooks (B) of the trim into the B-pillar hole (C).

2. Place the trim over the B-pillar (D) and fit the upper clip (E) into the hole (F) in the B-pillar, then lightly push the trim into place.

NOTE:

- 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 side curtain airbag is not tucked under the clip or the trim ribs.
- Do not push too hard on the B-pillar upper trim. If you push too hard, the clip will be damaged, and it will not hold the trim properly.
- Gently tug on the B-pillar trim to verify that all clip is securely fastened.









13. Reinstall all remaining removed parts. Make sure the seat belt is not twisted or kinked. Apply medium strength liquid thread lock to the upper anchor bolt to installation.

Quarter 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 bend or scratch the trim or the panel.
- Use the appropriate tool from the KTC trim tool set to avoid damage when removing components.
- The upper clip (A) in the quarter 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 break during removal, so the upper clip must be replaced with a new one when the trim is reinstalled.





1. Remove the tailgate weatherstrip as needed Service and Repair.

2. Remove the roof end trim (A).

1. Release the hooks (B) and the tabs (C) from the quarter pillar trim (D) on both sides.

2. Pull down the trim by hand to detach the clips.





3. Remove these items:

- Rear seat cushion
- Rear seat side bolster
- Rear door opening seal, as needed
- Rear side trim panel Interior Trim Removal / Installation - Rear Side Area
- Rear seat belt lower anchor
- Left tailgate side trim

4. Fold down the seat-back.

5. Hit the upper clip (A) in the quarter 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 quarter pillar trim is reinstalled.










6. Pull back the top of the quarter pillar trim (A) by hand to remove the upper clip (B) from the body (C).






7. Remove the quarter pillar trim (A).

1. Remove the pivot bracket mounting bolts, then push the power tailgate rod (B) in the trim.

2. Pull the bottom of the trim back by hand to detach the clips (C, D).

3. Pull the seat belt (E) out through the slit (F) in the trim.

4. For some models: Disconnect the satellite speaker connector (G).





8. If the side curtain airbag has been deployed, replace the quarter pillar trim, along with the other parts listed for side curtain airbag deployment Service and Repair.

9. If the side curtain airbag has not deployed, check the quarter pillar trim (A) and note the following items:

- To prevent the side curtain airbags from deploying improperly and possibly causing injury, inspect the quarter 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 quarter pillar trim
- Any cracks or stress-whitening in the clip seating surfaces (B)

- After checking and adjusting the overlap between the headliner and the quarter 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.





10. Temporarily install the quarter 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.

11. Carefully install the new upper clip (A) to the quarter pillar upper trim (B). Be sure that the grommet (C) is nearest to the top of the pin (D) as shown.






12. Reinstall the quarter pillar trim (A).

1. Insert the power tailgate rod (B) into the trim.

2. For some models: Reconnect the satellite speaker connector (C).

3. Place the trim over the quarter pillar (D) and fit the upper clip (E) into the hole (F) in the quarter 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 quarter pillar trim. If you push too hard, the clip is damaged, and it will not hold the trim properly.
- Gently tug on the quarter pillar trim to verify that all clips (G, H) are securely fastened.





13. Reinstall all remaining removed parts. Make sure the seat belt is not twisted or kinked.