A-Pillar Trim

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Honda Fit, 2012 Honda Fit, 2011 Honda Fit, 2010 Honda Fit, and 2009 Honda Fit. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

SRS components are located in this area. Review the SRS component locations (see COMPONENT LOCATION INDEX and PRECAUTIONS AND PROCEDURES before doing repairs or service.

NOTE:

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 and the panels.
The upper clip for the A-pillar trim (A) consists of a plastic grommet (B) expanded by a metal pin (C), which secures the grommet to the body (D).
The grommet breaks during removal, so a new upper clip must be used every time the trim is reinstalled.

Fig 1: Identifying A-Pillar Trim, Plastic Grommet & Metal Pin
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Pull the door inner seal away from the A-pillar as needed (see step 4 ).
Hit the upper clip in the A-pillar trim (A) with a rubber mallet. The clip is located under the point (B) where the triangle mark (C) on the edge of the trim indicates. Hitting the clip slides the projections (D) on the pin (E) into the grommet (F). The projections break the grommet, which releases the clip from the body (G).
NOTE: The upper clip must be replaced with a new one when the A-pillar trim is reinstalled.

Fig 2: Tapping Upper Clip In A-Pillar Trim With Rubber Mallet
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Pull the top of the A-pillar trim (A) back by hand to remove the upper clip (B) from the body (C).

Fig 3: Identifying Top Of A-Pillar Trim
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Pull out the A-pillar trim (A) by hand to detach the clips. Pull the trim up from the dashboard (B), then remove it.

Fig 4: Identifying A-Pillar Trim & Dashboard With Clips
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
If the side curtain airbag has deployed, replace the A-pillar trim with a new one (see COMPONENT REPLACEMENT/INSPECTION AFTER DEPLOYMENT ).
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 if it has any of the following damage:
  - Any cracks, deformations, or stress-whitened areas in the A-pillar trim
  - Any cracks or stress-whitened areas in the clip seating surfaces (B, C)
- Always replace the upper clip (D) with a new one.
- If the clips (E) are damaged or stress-whitened, replace them with new ones.
  
  Fig 5: Identifying A-Pillar Trim, Clip Seating Surfaces & Upper Clip
  Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Temporarily remove the new upper clip (A) from the A-pillar trim (B).

Fig 6: Identifying Upper Clip & A-Pillar Trim
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Check the overlap between the headliner and the A-pillar trim, and if necessary, adjust it (see CHECKING AND ADJUSTING THE HEADLINER/PILLAR TRIM OVERLAP ).
Carefully install the new upper clip (A) on the A-pillar trim (B). Be sure that the grommet (C) is nearest to the top of the pin (D) as shown below.

Fig 7: Identifying Upper Clip On A-Pillar Trim
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
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), and the lower clips into the holes (E) in the A-pillar, then lightly push the trim into place.
  NOTE:
  - Always use a new upper clip when installing the trim.
  - If the clips are damaged or stress-whitened, replace them with new ones.
  - Make sure the side curtain airbag is not pinched by the trim or the clips.
  - Do not push too hard on the trim. Pushing too hard damages the upper clip, which will not hold the trim properly.
  - Gently tug on the A-pillar trim to make sure that all clips are securely fastened.
    
    Fig 8: Identifying A-Pillar Trim
    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Reinstall the door opening seal.