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; 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 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 A-pillar trim (B) consists of a resin grommet (C) and a metal pin (D). The grommet expands when 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. The clip is located under the point where the triangle mark (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 out the A-pillar trim (A) by hand to detach the clip. Pull up the trim from the dashboard (B), then remove the 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 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 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).

2. Place the trim over the A-pillar (C), and fit its upper clip (D), the clip, and the pin (E) 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 down under the clips or the trim.
- 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 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.

1. Remove these items:

- Front door sill trim
- Rear door sill trim
- Front door opening seal, as needed
- Rear door opening seal, as needed

2. Slide the front seat forward fully.

3. Remove the B-pillar lower trim (A).

1. While releasing the upper tabs (B), pull back the upper area of the trim to release the upper hooks (C).

2. Detach the clips by pulling back the bottom of the trim by hand.





4. Remove the front seat belt lower anchor from the front seat.

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 release the upper pin (C) from the hole in the body.

3. Pull down the trim to release the upper hooks (D) 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 all of the clips (C) on the trim, 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 and the upper hooks (D), and any stress-whitened areas in the upper part of the trim
- Any cracks or deformations in the B-pillar lower trim, and any breakage in the area (E) that overlaps the B-pillar upper trim
- Any cracks or stress-whitening in the clip seating surface (F)

- If the clips are damaged or stress-whitened, replace them with new ones.
- Replace any damaged parts with new ones.
- Make sure the top of the B-pillar upper 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 clips 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 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 C-pillar trim (B) consists of a resin grommet (C) and a metal pin (D). The grommet expands when 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:

- Rear seat cushion
- Rear seat side bolster
- Rear door opening seal, as needed

2. Fold down the seat-back.

3. Hit the upper clip (A) in the C-pillar trim (B) with a rubber mallet. The clip is located under the point where the triangle mark (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) and 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 upper clip (B) from the body (C).






5. Pull the C-pillar trim (A) by hand to detach the clips and to release the hook (B) and the tabs (C), then pull out the trim from the rear shelf (D).





6. 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.

7. If the side curtain airbag has not been 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, 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.





8. 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.

9. Carefully install a 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.






10. Reinstall the C-pillar trim (A).

1. Insert the hook (B) and the tabs (C) of the trim in the rear shelf (D).

2. Place the trim over the C-pillar (E), and fit the upper clip (F) and the clips into the holes (G) in the C-pillar, then lightly push the trim into place.

NOTE:

- Make sure the side curtain airbag is not tucked down under the clips or the trim.
- 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.





11. Reinstall all remaining removed parts.