Trim Panel: Service and Repair
Interior Trim Removal/Installation - Pillar Areas
Special Tools Required
- KTC Trim Tool Set SOJATP2014
*Available through the Acura Tool and Equipment Program; 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 Repairbefore doing repairs or service.
NOTE:
- If the 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.
- Follow the A-pillar trim installation procedure carefully; improper installation could cause the side curtain airbags to deploy improperly and possibly cause injury.
- Put on gloves to protect your hands.
- Use the appropriate tool from the KTC trim tool set to avoid damage when removing components.
- Take care not to scratch the trim or the panels.
- The upper clip (A) in the A-pillar trim (B) consists of a plastic grommet (C) and a metal pin (D). The groove (E) in the grommet secures it to the body panel (F). The shoulder (G) on the clip is broken during removal, so the clip must be replaced with a new one when the trim is reinstalled.
1. Pull the front door opening trim 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 "SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG" mark (C) near the top of the A-pillar trim. Hitting the clip breaks the shoulder (D) on the grommet (E) and pushes the pin (F) and the grommet against 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 pin (B) from the grommet (C) remaining in the body (D).
4. Pull out the A-pillar trim (A) by hand to detach the clips, then pull up the trim from the dashboard (B), then remove the trim.
5. Remove the grommet from the body.
NOTE: The upper clip must be replaced with a new one because the grommet is damaged during removal, and cannot be reused.
6. 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.
7. 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, deformation, or stress-whitened areas in the A-pillar trim
- Any cracks or stress-whitening in the clip seating surfaces (B)
- Replace the upper clip with a new one after check the overlap.
- If the clips (C) are damaged or stress-whitened, replace them with new ones.
8. Before installing the A-pillar trim (A), carefully remove the grommet (B) from the pin (C) on the new upper clip.
9. Temporarily install the A-pillar trim (without the upper clip) to check the overlap between the headliner and the A-pillar trim. Remove the trim and if necessary, adjust overlap.
10. Carefully reinstall the grommet (A) on the pin (B), and seat them on the A-pillar trim (C) as shown.
11. Reinstall the A-pillar trim (A).
1. Insert the bottom portion of the trim into the dashboard (B).
2. Place the trim over the A-pillar (C), and fit its upper clip (D) and the other clips into the holes (E) 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 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 all clips are securely fastened.
12. Reinstall the front door opening trim.
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 the 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 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 Service and Repair
- Rear door sill trim Service and Repair
- Front door opening trim, as needed
- Rear door opening trim, as needed
2. Slide the front seat forward fully.
3. Remove the B-pillar lower trim (A).
1. Pull back the upper portion of the trim to release the upper hooks (B).
2. Detach the lower clips by pulling back the bottom portion of the trim by hand.
4. Remove the front seat belt lower anchor Front Seat Belt Replacement.
5. Remove the B-pillar upper trim (A).
1. Pull back the bottom portion of the B-pillar upper trim by hand to release the lower hooks (B).
2. Detach the upper clip by pulling the upper portion of the B-pillar upper trim.
3. Pull down the trim to release the upper hook (C) from the side curtain airbag bracket.
4. Pass the front seat belt lower anchor (D) out through the hole in the slider (E).
6. Remove the slider (A) from the B-pillar upper trim (B).
7. Install the trim in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:
- If the clips (A) are damaged or stress-whitened, replace them with new ones.
- If the side curtain airbag has deployed, replace the B-pillar upper trim, the B-pillar lower trim, and the clips, 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 deformation in the B-pillar upper trim (B) or the upper hook (C), or any stress-whitened area in the upper part of the trim
- Any cracks or deformation in the B-pillar lower trim (D), or any breakage in the area (E) that overlaps the B-pillar upper trim
- Any cracks or stress-whitening in the clip seating surface (F)
- 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 hook of the B-pillar upper trim is installed into the side curtain airbag bracket securely.
- Push the clips and the hooks into place securely.
- Before installing the anchor bolt, make sure there are no twists or kinks in the seat belt.
B-pillar upper trim inspection
B-pillar lower 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 the 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.
- Follow the C-pillar trim installation procedure carefully; improper installation could cause the side curtain airbags to deploy improperly, and possibly cause injury.
- Put on gloves to protect your hands.
- Take care not to bend or scratch the trim 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 groove (E) in the grommet secures it to the body panel (F). The shoulder (G) on the clip is broken during removal, so the clip must be replaced with a new one when the trim is reinstalled.
1. Remove these items:
- Rear door sill trim Service and Repair
- Rear door opening trim, as needed
- Rear seat cushion Rear Seat Removal / Installation
- Rear seat-back Rear Seat Removal / Installation
2. Release the upper hook (A) from the C-pillar trim (B), then detach the clips by pulling back the rear seat side trim (C), then remove the trim.
3. Hit the upper clip (A) in the C-pillar trim (B) with a rubber mallet. The clip is located under the "SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG" mark (C) near the top of the C-pillar trim. Hitting the clip breaks the shoulder (D) on the grommet (E) and pushes the pin (F) and the grommet against the body (G).
NOTE: The upper clip must be replaced with a new one when the C-pillar trim is reinstalled.
4. Pull back the top of the C-pillar trim (A) by hand to remove the pin (B) from the grommet (C) remaining in the body hole (D).
5. Pull back the C-pillar trim (A) by hand to detach the clips (B, C), then remove the trim.
6. Remove the grommet from the body.
NOTE: The upper clip must be replaced with a new one because the grommet is damaged during removal, and cannot be reused.
7. If the side curtain airbag has deployed, replace the C-pillar trim and all of its clips, along with the other parts listed for side curtain airbag deployment Service and Repair.
8. 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 C-pillar trim and replace it with a new one if it has any of the following damage:
- Any cracks, deformation, or stress-whitened area in the C-pillar trim
- Any cracks or stress-whitening in the clip seating surfaces (B)
- Replace the upper clip with a new one after check the overlap.
- If the clips (C) are damaged or stress-whitened, replace them with new ones.
9. Before installing the C-pillar trim (A), carefully remove the grommet (B) from the pin (C) on the new upper clip.
10. Temporarily install the C-pillar trim (without the upper clip) to check the overlap between the headliner and the C-pillar trim. Remove the trim and if necessary, adjust overlap.
11. Carefully reinstall the grommet (A) on the pin (B), and seat them on the C-pillar trim (C) as shown.
12. Place the C-pillar trim (A) over the C-pillar (B), and fit its upper clip (C) and the other clips (D, E) 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 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 all clips are securely fastened.
13. Reinstall the rear seat side trim (A). Push the clips and the hook (B) into place securely.
14. Reinstall all removed parts.