Help can’t get the A Pillar trim back on

[Mache/tesla3]

I took A pillar trim off on the left (driver side) and I’m having difficulty clipping it back in. Are their any tricks to getting it lined up to clip it back in?

I had it out to run the rear camera wire under the airbag in there.

thanks in advance!!

Sponsored

 

[kennelh]

I took A pillar trim off on the left (driver side) and I’m having difficulty clipping it back in. Are their any tricks to getting it lined up to clip it back in?

I had it out to run the rear camera wire under the airbag in there.

thanks in advance!!

Search in this thread for "pillar". There is some advice for how to get it back on.

 

[jay1122]

I just did it recently. After you untether the trim. You need to remove the two clips by holding the tabs behind and pull. Install the clips and tether back on the trim. install the A pillar trim bottom first. Align and shove it in. After the bottom is in, push in the two clips back into the bracket.

The thread below has the instruction.
https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/interior-pillar-color.3727/

 

[Mache/tesla3]

Looks like I’m having the problem most of the people in that post have. I can‘t get it to seat because its seems like it needs to go down about 1/8th to an 1/4th of an inch. I guess I have to keep trying! lol

 

[markboris]

Looks like I’m having the problem most of the people in that post have. I can‘t get it to seat because its seems like it needs to go down about 1/8th to an 1/4th of an inch. I guess I have to keep trying! lol

I'm sure you saw some of my posts in the other A-Pillar threads and yes it is a PITA. I just recently took mine out (dropped the headliner) and they were easier to reinstall for some reason in my current '24 than in either of my '21's. Just keep working with it and you will eventually get that bottom part to fit correctly. Sorry I can't give you any tips.

 

[johnnycombo]

Remove the black plastic clips from the pillar and put them onto the cover, the red 1/2 plastic pipe is split and used to release the keepers on the clip.

 

[Tomm]

I got my A pillar back on the passenger side after installing a dash cam. It was a b|^*h, and a week later I saw that it was little off. I try to ignore it with some success.

 

[Teslaeata]

Search in this thread for "pillar". There is some advice for how to get it back on.

Experienced the same issue doing the very same job!

Think I sprained the top (I think) plastic clip post mount arrangement on the trim so it could not enter and be pushed into the clip on the pillar.

Put the very merest spot of superglue inside the top corner of trim and lived with it………until dealer came to do the pano re-seal and re-routed & properly secured the wiring up inside the headlining for me.

Don’t know how they got the pillar trim fitted back, I don’t think about it, probably put the merest spot of superglue………

 

[Mache/tesla3]

Thanks everyone! As suggested in the thread listed above and Johnnycombo’s post, taking the whole thing out including the black clips attached to the teathers and then put the whole piece in. Worked perfectly. I didn’t have a piece of pipe but I was able to push the four little arms on the back side and wiggle them loose. Thanks to all!!!

 

[RobbH]

Ok, I decided to take this on and probably should have been more wary! I took the passenger side completely off, including the clips, and rerouted all my wires. My problem is getting the bottom seated onto the male part of the vent. No amount of pushing or wiggling is getting the base to seat. I am a 1/8” to 1/4” from getting it flush. I have tried using a pry tool from the side near the vent in hopes that I can wiggle just right. I can’t tell what is hanging it up, it’s not the lower clip of the other panel. I have read all of the threads here and on Reddit - what am I missing?

 

[Mache/tesla3]

I understand your frustration. Did you take the black clips with the tethers completely off the A pillar on the car and place them on the removed trim piece and then it will seat and go down. I was off by about that same amount and couldn't believe that this would work but sure enough it did!

 

[RobbH]

I understand your frustration. Did you take the black clips with the tethers completely off the A pillar on the car and place them on the removed trim piece and then it will seat and go down. I was off by about that same amount and couldn't believe that this would work but sure enough it did!

I did, but it was the bottom part that I couldn’t line up. After I posted this I got an idea that I was trying to move the wrong part. So I went out and tried for the 100th time, but this time pushing on the male part of the vent (not on the trim piece. This seemed to be what I was hanging up on as it dropped in. It’s not perfect but the upper clips aligned and snapped in. It is bent and misaligned/twisted down on the side between the dash and the door but the door seal still works and I can’t bring myself to pull it off to fix if the safety clips are engaged

 

[MoonDogg]

I did, but it was the bottom part that I couldn’t line up. After I posted this I got an idea that I was trying to move the wrong part. So I went out and tried for the 100th time, but this time pushing on the male part of the vent (not on the trim piece. This seemed to be what I was hanging up on as it dropped in. It’s not perfect but the upper clips aligned and snapped in. It is bent and misaligned/twisted down on the side between the dash and the door but the door seal still works and I can’t bring myself to pull it off to fix if the safety clips are engaged

I am doing this same job and can't get the bottom to align. What part is the male part of the vent, I am assuming that part that is attached to the car. If so how did you push on it? I have used a pick and a screw driver to push in on it but no joy.

Sponsored