Removing 996 Demister Vents - What a PITA
Discussion
I changed my demister vents over for leather ones today and what a disaster. There is a really nasty spring clip on the outersides which hooks under the A Pillar trim and I didn't remove my A Pillar trim so it damaged the leather. Being super fussy it just stands out to me so now I need to buy a new trim.
To cap it all off I dropped the torx fitting down my demister vent when unscrewing the GPS trimble! I then tried for a couple of hours after going and buying a flexible pickup magnet and when I was at the point of dispair I luckily found it and fished it out.
So if anyone asks if you can give them a hand say no and run away.
Now, does anyone have any experience is removing the A pillar trim...?
To cap it all off I dropped the torx fitting down my demister vent when unscrewing the GPS trimble! I then tried for a couple of hours after going and buying a flexible pickup magnet and when I was at the point of dispair I luckily found it and fished it out.
So if anyone asks if you can give them a hand say no and run away.
Now, does anyone have any experience is removing the A pillar trim...?
Start by removing the B pillar trim.............
Unclip the coat hook:
Insert a plastic trim tool under the hook and prise is away from its two clips, lift it up and away from the top mount (top mount is a tag which engages in a metal bracket)
Remove the seat belt top mount cover:
Pull the mount cover off by grasping it and pulling it in toward the seat (if it comes away in two / three pieces just clip it back together before you refit it)
Remove the seatbelt mount:
17mm Bolt (refitting torque 50Nm)
Remove the B pillar trim:
Undo the screw exposed by removing the coat hook and pull the B pillar trim away from the B pillar from the top, note: the base of the trim engages in the body with a downward facing tag - ensure this goes back into the body when refitting, the seatbelt will jam if not
Remove the A pillar trim (finally!!):
Grasp the trim where it mounts to the roof near the B pillar and sharply tug the trim inwards - the trim clips are tight but will pull out with a bit of effort - work your way down towards the screen (watch out for the Aerial booster on the drivers' side). When you've released the three clips down the screen frame pull the trim up and away from that pesky clip that did the damage in the first place
HTH
Unclip the coat hook:
Insert a plastic trim tool under the hook and prise is away from its two clips, lift it up and away from the top mount (top mount is a tag which engages in a metal bracket)
Remove the seat belt top mount cover:
Pull the mount cover off by grasping it and pulling it in toward the seat (if it comes away in two / three pieces just clip it back together before you refit it)
Remove the seatbelt mount:
17mm Bolt (refitting torque 50Nm)
Remove the B pillar trim:
Undo the screw exposed by removing the coat hook and pull the B pillar trim away from the B pillar from the top, note: the base of the trim engages in the body with a downward facing tag - ensure this goes back into the body when refitting, the seatbelt will jam if not

Remove the A pillar trim (finally!!):
Grasp the trim where it mounts to the roof near the B pillar and sharply tug the trim inwards - the trim clips are tight but will pull out with a bit of effort - work your way down towards the screen (watch out for the Aerial booster on the drivers' side). When you've released the three clips down the screen frame pull the trim up and away from that pesky clip that did the damage in the first place

HTH
If you've resigned yourself to getting a new trim anyway, you could try getting the original repaired?
http://www.radisol.com/damageundone/trims.htm
No affiliation, just heard they do a good job.
HTH
http://www.radisol.com/damageundone/trims.htm
No affiliation, just heard they do a good job.
HTH
Can you sand with fine paper and fill? https://thescratchdoctor.co.uk/product/leather-rep...
And dye if need be?
And dye if need be?
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