A Pillar Removal

BlackNBlue95 · 12-04-02, 09:18 PM

I need some help.. can someone give me the proceedure on how to remove the drivers side plastic trim from the A Pillar I'm trying to remove it so I can drill some holes to mount my gauge pod.. thanks,
-Rick

Ken · 12-04-02, 09:38 PM

Oh boy, let's see if I can remember.

The dash pad and upper trim will have to be removed first, and to remove the top trim piece you'll have to remove the sunvisors if I remember correctly, as well as the rear view mirror. You'll then be able to remove the side trim pieces.

If I forgot anything. please, someone chime in and let us know.

_ken

BlackNBlue95 · 12-04-02, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken
Oh boy, let's see if I can remember.

The dash pad and upper trim will have to be removed first, and to remove the top trim piece you'll have to remove the sunvisors if I remember correctly, as well as the rear view mirror. You'll then be able to remove the side trim pieces.

If I forgot anything. please, someone chime in and let us know.

_ken

That Sucks!!! I was hoping jut to need to remove the rearview mirror.. I didn't get too look too close at it but how do the visors come off?
as well as how do you get the top of the dash the actual dash pad off? and I maybe just loosen up the drivers side or something just to get the 1 pillar out I only need to get the drivers side off so I can drill it for the gauge install..

like I've said if it's not one thing its another...

any suggestions on where to route the wiring through the fire wall?

Ken · 12-04-02, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BlackNBlue95
That Sucks!!!

Yep!

Quote:

... how do the visors come off?

With the roof off, or the top down if it's a convertible, you'll have to remove the roof panel mounting bracket to reach the nut for the sunvisor. The nut on mine was of the self-tapping type while the replacements I got were threaded. Under the nut is a retainer and under that is a spring, designed to hold tension on the visor to prevent it from flopping around. There isn't much tension to it, so you don't have to have a special tool or anything. I was afraid to remove it at first.

Quote:

... how do you get the top of the dash the actual dash pad off?

There are two long Phillips-head screws in the defroster vent area of the pad. There are two nut-headed screws in the middle of the pad on the underside near the center fresh-air vents. There are also at least two (or rather, there should be two) screws on the underside at either end of the pad.

Remove the pad by pulling it straight back towards yourself. You'll feel a couple of clips at the front of the pad release from their positions in the firewall. If you have dash-mounted speakers, be careful when removing the pad so you don't snag a wire.

To re-install the pad, start by easing it into place while peeking under to be sure your clips are aligning correctly. When you're satisfied that it looks ok, just push in towards the front until you hear the clips snap back in place. Replace all screws removed.

Quote:

... just loosen up the drivers side or something just to get the 1 pillar out I only need to get the drivers side off so I can drill it for the gauge install.

One warning... Don't even think about it! You're bound to break something.

Quote:

... any suggestions on where to route the wiring through the fire wall?

Find an existing grommet, of which there are a few.

_ken

BlackNBlue95 · 12-04-02, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken
Yep!

With the roof off, or the top down if it's a convertible, you'll have to remove the roof panel mounting bracket to reach the nut for the sunvisor. The nut on mine was of the self-tapping type while the replacements I got were threaded. Under the nut is a retainer and under that is a spring, designed to hold tension on the visor to prevent it from flopping around. There isn't much tension to it, so you don't have to have a special tool or anything. I was afraid to remove it at first.

There are two long Phillips-head screws in the defroster vent area of the pad. There are two nut-headed screws in the middle of the pad on the underside near the center fresh-air vents. There are also at least two (or rather, there should be two) screws on the underside at either end of the pad.

Remove the pad by pulling it straight back towards yourself. You'll feel a couple of clips at the front of the pad release from their positions in the firewall. If you have dash-mounted speakers, be careful when removing the pad so you don't snag a wire.

To re-install the pad, start by easing it into place while peeking under to be sure your clips are aligning correctly. When you're satisfied that it looks ok, just push in towards the front until you hear the clips snap back in place. Replace all screws removed.

One warning... Don't even think about it! You're bound to break something.

Find an existing grommet, of which there are a few.

_ken

What a pain in the ARSE!!! anyway just to install some nice gauges too much work.. arg.. I think I have to may projects going on at once with it.. i need to catch up on them before I start taking the dash pad and such off.. thanks for the help..
-Rick

12-05-02, 12:09 AM

Using a delicate touch..and a bit of patience you can remove the pillar covers without removing everything else....you just have to bend and kinda twist the plastic. But be careful not to break them or punch holes in the dash. This is how I removed mine. Just have to take it easy...

Ken · 12-05-02, 12:14 AM

The dash pad lists for something around $300, I wonder what the plastic trim pieces go for? Hmmm... Do it right the first time and you'll have no regrets.

_ken

BlackNBlue95 · 12-05-02, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eagle85C4
Using a delicate touch..and a bit of patience you can remove the pillar covers without removing everything else....you just have to bend and kinda twist the plastic. But be careful not to break them or punch holes in the dash. This is how I removed mine. Just have to take it easy...

Yeah but I know both you guys have older C4's mine has the newer style dash, it's a 95 so is there any differance in removing the dash pad?

Rabbit · 12-05-02, 11:06 AM

According to the 95 manual you have to remove the screws on the edge of the upper garnish moulding & then remove the side garnish moulding. The interiors have changed considerably.

BlackNBlue95 · 12-05-02, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rabbit
According to the 95 manual you have to remove the screws on the edge of the upper garnish moulding & then remove the side garnish moulding. The interiors have changed considerably.

are you talking about the dash or the pillar? all I took off so far is all the screws on the pillar and the one for the upper molding at the top of the window and the side vent on the dash and the side panel on the dash(drivers side)

Rabbit · 12-05-02, 02:46 PM

I'm referring to the upper garnish moulding that runs across the top from
the "A" pillars, the inside of the windshield frame. You have to remove the outer screws before you can remove the side garnish mouldings. Capito?

It makes no reference to pulling any part of the I/P trim pad.

Quote..Windshield side garnish moulding
removal.

1. Windshield upper garnish moulding screws nearest the side garnish moulding.

2.Windshield side garnish moulding screws.

3. Side garnish moulding from vehicle.
End of quote from manual.

Hope this helps.

Ken · 12-05-02, 04:58 PM

Shoot, I didn't even notice that it was a '95. What the hell have I been thinking lately? Senility!!

Sorry Rick, that I misled you.

_ken

BlackNBlue95 · 12-05-02, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ken
Shoot, I didn't even notice that it was a '95. What the hell have I been thinking lately? Senility!!

Sorry Rick, that I misled you.

_ken

No Problem.. hey I heard of a product you might be interested in.. called senior moments.. LoL Just Kidding I appreciate your attempt to help me it's partially my fault for not saying it was a 95 sooner..
-Rick

narration for the smilies: "Oh well, Yup Yup, allright, lets go drink!!"
ah damm I lost it again..

Ken · 12-05-02, 07:39 PM

Hey old man, if you remember that game show, you ain't no spring chicken either. Sponsored by Revlon, The $64,000 Question began June 8, 1955.

_ken ;stupid

Ken · 12-06-02, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Ted Nugent
Rock guitartist and best-selling author

I had just awakened, my first morning home from a 120-show concert tour, on 9/11, when my brother Johnny called with an out-of-character, serious tone to his voice, instructing me to turn on the TV. My law-enforcement-training condition yellow slammed into full red when I realized my son Toby was in Manhattan for a television-show audition. At once the other line rang and it was Toby. Fortunately, the Nugent Tribe is extremely close, and my older brother Jeff had already contacted Toby from his office in New York City. As CEO of Revlon, Jeff was able to dispatch his security to get Toby to a safe zone, and though my personal concerns for family were temporarily under control, my deep hurt and concern for the obvious victims of this evil atrocity escalated by the second. Then the second jet hit and my anger went through the roof. Like all decent people, we monitored the outrage for months to come. Our resolve to fight for and protect the American Dream is fueled by the resilient emotion driven to new heights by this demonic event to stand for all that is good.

Gimme something hard to research.

_ken