Dash trim panels and interior trim — removal and installation
Warning: The models covered by this manual are equipped with a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), more commonly known as airbags. Always disable the airbag system before working in the vicinity of any airbag system components to avoid the possibility of accidental deployment of the airbags, which could cause personal injury (see Chassis electrical system).
Defrost vent trim
1. Remove the A pillar trim from both sides of the vehicle.
2. Using a flat bladed trim tool carefully pry the corner edge of the defroster trim panel up. Then, work your way across and pry up each of the pressure clips all the way to the other side (see illustrations).
28.2a Working with two flat trim tools makes the job easier. Start in the middle where it is more flexible
28.2b Work your way to the edges by applying slight pressure on the trim with the trim tool
28.2c Lift the nearest side to you up first, disconnect the electrical connections and then pull it away from the windshield
3. Disconnect the electrical connections and remove the trim panel.
4. To install, attach the electrical connections and then align the clips to their respective locations. Now press the trim back into place with firm hand pressure.
5. Reinstall the A pillar trim panels.
Instrument cluster hood
6. A flat bladed trim tool works best to pry the edges up while working around each leading edge of the instrument panel hood trim. Once all the clips are free the panel can be lifted off (see illustration).
28.6 A shop rag works well to keep from scratching or damaging the surfaces around the dash as you remove the instrument panel hood
7. To install, line up the clips and press back into place.
Driver’s side switch trim plate (headlight switch bezel)
Note: The headlight switch (bezel) trim can be removed without taking the entire vent assembly off on some models.
8. Using a flat bladed trim tool release the pressure clips by applying pressure near the corners of the trim.
9. Disconnect the electrical connectors and remove the trim panel.
10. Installation is the reverse of removal.
Driver’s side vent assembly
11. Remove the fuse box cover from the driver’s side.
12. Carefully pry the trim off with a flat bladed trim tool (see illustration).
28.12 Carefully pry the edges of the vent assembly to remove it
13. Disconnect the electrical connectors.
14. If replacing the trim panel, transfer all the electrical components before installing.
15. Installation is the reverse of removal.
Passenger’s side dash end trim panel
16. Remove the right-side fuse box cover.
17. Carefully pry the trim off with a flat bladed trim tool. The passenger’s side comes off similar to the driver’s side end trim.
18. Installation is the reverse of removal.
Center bezel
19. Carefully pry the trim off with a flat bladed trim tool by starting in a corner and working around the edges (see illustration).
28.19 Carefully pry the center trim bezel off with a flat trim tool
20. Installation is the reverse of removal.
Instrument cluster trim
21. Remove the instrument cluster hood trim (see Step 6).
22. Remove the driver’s-side knee bolster trim panel (see Step 41).
23. Remove the three screws retaining the top edge of the instrument cluster trim in place (see illustration).
28.23 Instrument cluster trim panel screws
24. Carefully pry the bottom section free with a flat bladed trim tool.
25. Installation is the reverse of removal.
Instrument panel lower trim
26. The lower panel trim is in the center of the vehicle covering the support brackets to the dash on either side (see illustration).
28.26 Pry the trim from the support bracket with a flat trim tool
27. Carefully pry the lower trim panel off with a flat bladed trim tool starting near a corner and working from the top to the bottom.
28. Installation is the reverse of removal.
Glove box
29. Open the glove box door and remove the two screws located in opposite upper corners (see illustration).
28.29 Upper screw location
30. Close the glove box door and remove the two screws located on the underneath side of the glove box assembly (see illustration).
31. Reopen the glove box and pry the glove box assembly free with a flat bladed trim tool.
32. Installation is the reverse of removal.
Upper glove box storage
33. Open up the storage box and remove the screws (see illustration).
28.33 Remove the screws securing the storage box to the dash
34. Pry the storage box out with a flat trim tool (see illustration).
28.34 Gently pry at the edges to free the storage box
35. Installation is the reverse of removal.
Instrument panel center storage area
36. Open the center storage door and remove the screw in the upper center area (see illustration).
28.36 Screw location for the center storage
37. Close the door and remove the two screws from the bottom section. One on each corner (see illustration).
28.37 Lower center storage area screws plus the accessory outlet door retaining screw
38. Installation is the reverse of removal.
Passenger’s side lower closeout trim panel
39. Remove the four screws securing the trim panel to the bottom of the dash assembly.
40. Installation is the reverse of removal.
Driver’s side knee bolster
41. Remove the two lower screws located near the bottom edges of the knee bolster (see illustration).
28.41 Knee bolster screws
42. Carefully pry the top edge free with a flat bladed trim tool.
43. Installation is the reverse of removal.
Sun visors
44. With a flat bladed trim tool or equivalent remove the trim cap from the sun visor pivot. Then remove the screws (see illustrations).
28.44a Start prying from the outside edge, then work toward the pivot point
28.44b Remove the three screws securing the sun visor to the roof
45. Remove the trim covering the bolt to the sun visor clip. Then remove the bolt securing the sun visor clip in place (see illustrations).
28.45a A small flat screwdriver works best to remove the trim cover
28.45b Remove the bolt, then pull the sun visor clip free
Note: On some models there may also be a clip retaining the visor clip to the headliner. If so, the headliner will have to be lowered for access to remove the retaining clip.
46. Installation is the reverse of removal.
Door sill trim
47. Grasp the edges of the door sill and pull them free from the retaining clips (see illustration).
28.47 Pull the door sill trim firmly to remove
48. Occasionally a clip or two will stay on the body section. Pry them off and reattach them to the door sill.
49. Installation is otherwise the reverse of removal.
A pillar trims
50. Driver’s side A pillar is removed by grasping the edges and pulling toward the center of the vehicle (see illustration).
28.50 Pull straight away from the A pillar to remove the trim
51. GM recommends that you replace the trim clip each time you remove the A pillar.
52. Passenger’s side A pillar requires removing the grab handle first (see illustration).
28.52 Remove the grab handle first to remove the A pillar on the passenger’s side
53. Remove the protective caps from the grab handle and remove the two bolts securing the grab handle to the A pillar.
54. Pull the trim inwards to remove the passenger’s side A pillar trim. (There is no retaining clip on this side.)
55. Installation is the reverse of removal.
B pillar trim
56. Remove the door sill trim panels (see Step 47).
57. Pull the lower B pillar trim panel off by prying along the outer edges with a flat bladed trim tool.
58. Lift the cap covering the seat belt anchor.
59. Remove the seat belt anchor bolt.
60. Pull the upper B pillar trim off by prying along the edges with a flat bladed trim tool.
61. Installation is the reverse of removal.
Rear seat side panel trim
62. Remove rear seat (3).
63. Remove the upper window garnish trim panel by prying the edge up with a flat bladed trim tool.
64. Remove the seat belt anchor bolt.
65. Pull the rear side panel off by prying near the edges with a flat bladed trim tool.
66. Slide the seat belt through the opening in the side panel and remove the panel.
67. Installation is the reverse of removal.
Liftgate interior trim
68. Remove the liftgate struts by lifting the locking tabs.
69. Remove the window trim. There are nine molding clip retainers holding it in place. Gently pry near a clip as you work your way around the molding.
70. Remove the four panel screws securing the lower section to the liftgate.
71. Pull the liftgate trim panel at the edges to release the remaining retaining fasteners.
72. There are 12 retaining clips and finish panel clips that must be removed.
73. Lift the trim panel off of the gate and disconnect the electrical connections.
74. Installation is the reverse of removal.