Interior - A-Pillar Moulding Loose/Drops Down
T-SB-0178-09June 16, 2009
LH or RH A-Pillar Garnish Loose or Dropping Down
Service Category
Vehicle Interior
Section
Interior Panels/Trim
Market
USA
Applicability
Introduction
Some 2005 - 2009 model year Avalon customers may experience the LH or RH A-Pillar garnish coming loose or dropping down. Use the following procedure to correct this condition.
Production Change Information
This TSB applies to vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown.
Parts Information
Warranty Information
APPLICABLE WARRANTY
^ This repair is covered under the Toyota Comprehensive Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.
^ Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer's specific complaint.
Repair Procedure
LH Side
1. Verify complaint condition.
2. Remove the door opening weatherstrip.
3. Remove the front pillar garnish LH.
A. Pull the top of the garnish towards the inside of the cabin and disengage clips (A) and (B).
Use caution not to allow clip (B) to fall into body structure.
B. Turn clip (A) 90 degrees with needle-nosed pliers as shown in Figure 1 and remove it from the front pillar garnish LH.
NOTE
If clip (A) cannot be disengaged easily, cut it off with cutting pliers.
C. Disconnect electrical connector from the front No.2 speaker assembly (If equipped).
D. Remove the front pillar garnish LH.
E. Remove and discard clip (A) from the front pillar.
F. Remove and discard clip (B) from the front pillar.
4. Remove the front No.2 speaker assembly (if equipped) by disengaging the 3 claws. Refer to Figure 2.
5. Install the curtain shield airbag protector.
NOTE
Cover the curtain shield airbag with the protection cover as soon as the front pillar garnish is removed.
A. Cover the airbag with cloth or nylon approximately 700 x 120 mm (27.56 x 4.72 in.) and fix the ends of the cover with tape as shown in Figure 3.
6. Cut tape holding wire harness to clip.
NOTE
Clip (A) shown in position for reference purposes.
7. Shift wire harness 10 mm (0.39 in.) upward and re-secure harness to clip with electrical tape.
NOTE
Clip (A) shown in position for reference purposes.
8. Remove protective cover from curtain shield airbag.
9. Install the front No.2 speaker assembly to the NEW front pillar garnish LH by engaging the 3 claws.
10. Install the NEW front pillar garnish LH.
A. Connect the electrical connector to the front No.2 speaker assembly (If equipped).
B. Install the new front pillar garnish LH.
New front pillar garnish LH will include a new Clip (A) and Clip (B).
11. Reinstall the door opening weatherstrip.
12. Confirm finish and gaps where garnish meets the dash and headliner.
RH Side
1. Verify complaint condition.
2. Remove the door opening weatherstrip.
3. Remove the front pillar garnish RH.
A. Pull the top of the garnish towards the inside of the cabin and disengage clips (A) and (B).
NOTE
Use caution not to allow clip (B) to fall into body structure.
B. Turn clip (A) 90 degrees with needle-nosed pliers as shown in Figure 8 and remove it from the front pillar garnish RH.
If clip (A) cannot be disengaged easily, cut it off with cutting pliers.
C. Disconnect the electrical connector from the front No.2 speaker assembly (If equipped).
D. Remove the front pillar garnish RH.
E. Remove and discard clip (A) from the front pillar.
F. Remove and discard clip (B) from the front pillar.
4. Remove the front No.2 speaker assembly (if equipped).
A. Disengage the 3 claws and remove the front No.2 speaker assembly.
5. Install curtain shield airbag protector.
A. Protect the curtain shield airbag.
Cover the curtain shield airbag with the protection cover as soon as the front pillar garnish is removed.
(1) Cover the airbag with cloth or nylon of 700 x 120 mm (27.56 x 4.72 in.) and fix the ends of the cover with tape as shown in Figure 10.
6. Locate wiring in vicinity of clip (A).
NOTE
Clip (A) shown in position for reference purposes.
7. Reposition the wiring away from clip (A) and secure with electrical tape.
NOTE
Clip (A) shown in position for reference purposes.
8. Remove protective cover from curtain shield airbag.
9. Install the front No. 2 speaker assembly.
A. Install the front No.2 speaker assembly to the NEW front pillar garnish RH by engaging the 3 claws.
10. Install the NEW front pillar garnish RH.
A. Connect the electrical connector to the front No.2 speaker assembly (If equipped).
B. Install the new front pillar garnish RH.
NOTE
New front pillar garnish RH will include a new Clip (A) and Clip (B).
11. Reinstall the door opening weatherstrip.
12. Confirm finish and gaps where garnish meets the dash and headliner.