DIY: How to remove interior trim (lower dash).
 

I'm sure there are some other threads on here with a lot of the same information but I had a hard time finding them and I've had a few PM's asking for these pictures. The main reason for this post is to make these pictures available to those who are fighting mounting tabs. A look at what the tab looks like and how it is positioned is usually what helps me get these things off.

I helped Her install a lighting accent kit so we took some pictures along the way. She really doesn't like the brushed aluminum trim pieces so I took this time to learn how to get the dash trim pieces out.

1. The first thing to remove is the side finisher (left). It is only held on by clips. The best thing to do is start at the bottom and get the bottom clips to pop out. I have a generic interior trim removal tool that I picked up from my local auto store. It works pretty good here. Here is the dash with the side finisher removed.
Attachment 169984

2. Here is a look at the back side of the finisher.
Attachment 169985

3. The next panel to remove is the lower panel on the driver's side. It starts by removing two mounting screws for the hood opener and two screws for the OBDII connector. After that the only thing left to do is pull the panel towards the rear of the car. There are only four or five clips holding the panel on. After the panel is loose/removed, there is one sensor that needs to be removed from the panel. You can either unclip the wire connector or unscrew the whole sensor assembly. I failed to get a good picture of this panel, so here is the shop manual step.
Attachment 169986

4. Now it's time for the little brushed aluminum trim piece (if that is what you are after). This piece is held on by two clips and a tight fit. The best way to remove this piece is to get your fingers behind the clips and push them through the holes rather than pulling on the trim piece. Here is the piece removed.
Attachment 169987

5. Here is the space the piece attaches too.
Attachment 169988

6. A shot of the back side of the piece.
Attachment 169989

7. A better look at the clips.
Attachment 169990

8. Now on to the passenger side. Start with the side finisher (right).
Attachment 169991

9. It's the same as the driver's side, held on by clips, start at the bottom. Don't mind the other missing parts, this picture is out of sequence.
Attachment 169992

10. A look at the clips.
Attachment 169993

11. Next is the passenger lower cover. The are no screws or bolts here. Just pull down and then back.
Attachment 169994

12. Tricky step warning. The glove box is held in by it's own weight. It's a matter of pulling the glove box down and lifting the back/bottom of the glove box up. The goal is to get the tabs out of the slots. After the glove box is disconnected from the bottom, a string that is used as a damper must be disconnected. This is from the shop manual.
Attachment 169995

13. A look at the tabs on the bottom of the glove box.
Attachment 169996

14. Now your left with this panel. There are seven screws that need to be removed and then a number of tabs hold the panel in place. The panel needs to be pulled straight back. I'm sorry, I do not have a good picture of the back side of this panel. I blame Her.
Attachment 169997

15. Once that panel is removed you can pull the passenger side brushed aluminum trim piece. It's held on by four clips and it's easy to get to the back side of the clips so best thing to do is push the clips through. Here is a look at the dash where the trim piece mounts to.
Attachment 169998

16. A look at the back of the trim piece so you can see the clips.
Attachment 169999

17. Honestly, I just took this out to see if I could do it.
Attachment 170000

Nice DIY, do you think you could make a DIY for taking off the interior door trim. I have crazy rattles on both of my doors, and I want to fix them!

I have half the pictures I need and plan on pulling the drivers side door panel later this week. I'll see what I can do.

Here is something that will get you started in the right direction for now.
https://www.myg37.com/forums/audio-v...l-removal.html

I like to know where the clips are so I'll take good pictures of the back of the panel.

Thanks that helps, I need to post a thread about the door rattle I have its getting BAD!

if you can figure out where the rattling is coming from (which clip), u can use a small flat head screw driver to widen the clip back out...you can do this by driving and listening for the noise...once you figure out where the noise is coming from (let's say ur door), put ur finger around that location and push while ur driving....if u still hear the noise, then obviously it's not coming from that clip...move around until u find a place where u've pushed, and the noise has disappeared....remember that spot, then go home and disassemble ur door and most likely it's the clip closes to the place where u've pushed ur finger....if it's a plastic clip, and ur afraid ur gonna break it when bending the tabs out..a tip i learned from the honda forums is you can use thin weather strip, cut into little small pieces...and tape it around the hole on the metal frame (doesn't have to look nice), that way, the weather strip will absorb most of the vibrations coming from the plastic panel rubbing against the metal...

great write up!

Thanks for the info! I know the noise is coming from somewhere around the speaker, if I have to take the door panel off I'm going to put rubber/weather stripping around every clip.

actually very usefull diy ! thanks.

Wow that looks like a PITA lol

Nice write up, now how do you remove the silver trim from the doors?

That's an easy one. You click on this link and follow the instructions all the way to the end.
https://www.myg37.com/forums/d-i-y-i...oor-panel.html

oh nice, thats all i needed to know that there ARE bolts behind the trim and its not just clipped in.

Thanks buddy.

Great write up and pictures. This is valuable as it also shows what it takes to replace the in-cabin air filter down the road!!

Nice write up. This came in handy today, I started wrapping my interior! Thanks!

This is exactly what I need today. Thanks for the write up, I appreciate it.

This is what these forums are all about! More than 6 years later and exactly what I need. Looking forward to getting vinyl and dip samples then tearing down the interior. Thanks from the future.