Center Pillar Trim

SRS components are located in this area. Review the SRS component locations (see COMPONENT LOCATION INDEX ) and the precautions and procedures (see PRECAUTIONS AND PROCEDURES ) 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 (see COMPONENT REPLACEMENT/INSPECTION AFTER DEPLOYMENT ).
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.

Remove these items:
- Door opening seal, as needed (see step 7 )
- Rear pillar trim
Slide the seat forward fully.
Remove the driver's seat belt lower anchor bolt (see step 3 on SEAT BELT REPLACEMENT ).
Remove the center pillar trim (A).
1. Pull back the trim by hand to detach the clips (B, C).
2. Pull down the trim to release the upper hook (D) from the hole in the body, and remove it from the headliner (E).
3. Pass the seat belt (F) out through the hole in the trim, then remove the center pillar trim.
  
  Fig 1: Removing Center Pillar Trim
  Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the trim in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:
- If the clips (A, B) are damaged or stress-whitened replace them with new ones.
- If the side curtain airbag has deployed, replace the center pillar trim and all clips on the trim, along with the other parts listed for side curtain airbag deployment (see COMPONENT REPLACEMENT/INSPECTION AFTER DEPLOYMENT ).
- 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 center pillar trim (C) or the upper hook (D)
  - Any cracks or stress-whitened areas in the clip seating surfaces (E)
- Replace any damaged parts with new ones.
- Make sure the top of the trim overlaps with the headliner correctly (see CHECKING AND ADJUSTING THE HEADLINER/PILLAR TRIM OVERLAP ).
- Make sure the upper hook is installed into the hole in the body securely.
- Push the clips and hook into place securely.
- Before installing the anchor bolt, make sure there are no twists or kinks in the seat belt.
  
  Fig 2: Installing Trim
  Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.