Remove A Pillar trim due to annoying squeak

[greencode]

Does anybody know how to remove the A Pillar plastic trim. I read on another post that you unscrew the interior mirror and then you simply pull it away. Umm, tried that but it really feels as though I'm going to snap the plastic if I pull any harder.

Need to resolve an a squeak issue and I think it's where the dash pushes against the A Pillar on uneven roads. So, I need to remove it and stick some kind of felt tape or padding between the two surfaces.

 

[owm]

You need to remove the 4 screws that hold the sun visors down from the overhead trim piece. Pop out the center light assembly, disconnect the wiring connector and then pull out this trim piece.

Then you can remove the side trim pieces by pulling upwards. Problem is that you will likely break the plastic tab that holds it down at the bottom of the panel where it meets the dash. Good news is that if you place sufficient felt pieces, it will hold the trim piece down firmly and eliminate any squeaking/rattling you might have.

 

[greencode]

You need to remove the 4 screws that hold the sun visors down from the overhead trim piece. Pop out the center light assembly, disconnect the wiring connector and then pull out this trim piece.

Then you can remove the side trim pieces by pulling upwards. Problem is that you will likely break the plastic tab that holds it down at the bottom of the panel where it meets the dash. Good news is that if you place sufficient felt pieces, it will hold the trim piece down firmly and eliminate any squeaking/rattling you might have.

Thanks for this. Is there any way of avoiding braking the plastic tab? Tbh, I'm not even sure there is a plastic tab still as it all appears a little loose.

 

[stupot67]

You need to remove the 4 screws that hold the sun visors down from the overhead trim piece. Pop out the center light assembly, disconnect the wiring connector and then pull out this trim piece.

Then you can remove the side trim pieces by pulling upwards. Problem is that you will likely break the plastic tab that holds it down at the bottom of the panel where it meets the dash. Good news is that if you place sufficient felt pieces, it will hold the trim piece down firmly and eliminate any squeaking/rattling you might have.

Thanks for this. Is there any way of avoiding braking the plastic tab? Tbh, I'm not even sure there is a plastic tab still as it all appears a little loose.

Even with tab in place, they are not a particularly snug fit.

Loosen the header rail trim first (After removing the sun visors and interior lights) then pull away the A post trims from the top, when removed you'll see the contact points between post trim and dash and the header rail trim and the A post trim that have caused the squeaks.

If you can get it, 3M anti squeak felt tape is the answer, not sure if it's readily available, mine came from a friend who worked for AM, but im sure there must be similar for non trade use.

Stu.

 

[stupot67]

You need to remove the 4 screws that hold the sun visors down from the overhead trim piece. Pop out the center light assembly, disconnect the wiring connector and then pull out this trim piece.

Then you can remove the side trim pieces by pulling upwards. Problem is that you will likely break the plastic tab that holds it down at the bottom of the panel where it meets the dash. Good news is that if you place sufficient felt pieces, it will hold the trim piece down firmly and eliminate any squeaking/rattling you might have.

Thanks for this. Is there any way of avoiding braking the plastic tab? Tbh, I'm not even sure there is a plastic tab still as it all appears a little loose.

Even with tab in place, they are not a particularly snug fit.

Loosen the header rail trim first (After removing the sun visors and interior lights) then pull away the A post trims from the top, when removed you'll see the contact points between post trim and dash and the header rail trim and the A post trim that have caused the squeaks.

If you can get it, 3M anti squeak felt tape is the answer, not sure if it's readily available, mine came from a friend who worked for AM, but im sure there must be similar for non trade use.

Stu.

Edit: just googled 3M anti squeak tape, apparently Amazon stock it.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

How do you manage to break the bottom clips? If you just pull straight up along its axis then drop down a little it just comes out - it's fiddly but I've done it twice without breaking anything.

 

[greencode]

If you can get it, 3M anti squeak felt tape is the answer, not sure if it's readily available, mine came from a friend who worked for AM, but im sure there must be similar for non trade use.

Thanks for this. Will tackle this tomorrow, hopefully. I've already got some anti-squeak tape ready for action.

 

[Bing]

How do you manage to break the bottom clips? If you just pull straight up along its axis then drop down a little it just comes out - it's fiddly but I've done it twice without breaking anything.

Yep - this. Helps if you have someone to help, one on each side - Perry Gunn and I did this today for him to wore in my new speed camera gizmo, didn't break any tabs. Getting it back in is the trickiest bit as far as I could see.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Quite, getting it back is a right fiddly ballache!

 

[patriot66]

I can recommend GT85 spray. Just spray liberally in and around any mating surfaces and wipe off the excess. My A-pillar trim has not squeaked for 18 months now.

 

[greencode]

I can recommend GT85 spray. Just spray liberally in and around any mating surfaces and wipe off the excess. My A-pillar trim has not squeaked for 18 months now.

Sounds like a plan. I've got some of that in the shed so will give that a go first. Got a few other annoying squeaks from the dash so might give it a good clean with gt85!!

 

[owm]

Guess in our climate, the plastic bits wear/age faster? Or we have poor luck in our Z :roll: Reason why we took out the A pillar trim pieces besides eliminating squeaks/rattles was to spray paint the tired finish which was sticky and peeling off in certain sections:

With regards to anti-squeal tape, we just used regular felt sheets cut to appropriate sizes and mounted them where they would likely contact the metal A frame:

Even with the broken tabs, there is no rattling and everything is tight and silent.