[btjetman]

Let me start by saying, "If you do not have a variety of plastic trim removal tools, do not attempt this".
This is the hardest piece of trim I have ever removed. What makes it so difficult is, the soft parts of the dash will mark very easy if you slip or apply force removing the trim. You MUST always pull straight towards the rear of the car and NEVER try to pry with the tools or you will leave a mark.

To begin, you will want to locate the two slots on the bottom of the trim piece, aprox. one inch either side of the top of the start button.

Next you will use a a slot type screw driver and slide it up into one of the slots. Use masking tape or a rag to protect the dash. I used a screw driver because it is going to take quite a bit of force to get the trim to begin to break loose.

Using the shank of the screwdriver, pull straight towards you, "DO NOT PRY". Move to the other slot, and get that side to start coming loose as well.

Now you can start to insert the plastic trim tools. While pulling with the screw driver insert the first of two plastic trim removal tools.

Once the first tool is in, you can now pull with it while you insert the second tool further up the trim piece. Remember always pull never pry.

Now you can pull the one side completely loose. Once you have it loose you can work from around the bottom to pull the other side loose by hand.

Once you have the trim piece loose you can disconect the wiring harnesses. The vents, buttons and climate control are all held in place by 4 screws each.

I can't emphasize enough to be careful around the soft part of the dash, I am now the proud owner of two little marks on mine.

 

[TopHand]

Good write up

 

[Armpitlazers]

Thanks for the post man. I wanted to do this

 

[HellHunter]

I am the proud owner of dents too from when I took mine out. I agree though, this is the hardest car to disassemble (interior) I have worked on ever. The end panels of the dash are equally as bad to remove.

 

[Keith_Stone]

Dang those crafty Koreans!

 

[Stone Axe]

Excellent write up - thank you!

 

[Dcannon203]

I knicked up the rubber window trim installing my weathertech rainguards so dont feel bad.

 

[NEVL666]

Dang those crafty Koreans!

That's cos they've got such tiny hands :wink:

btjetman .. thanks for the great write-up

 

[berniefritts]

Thanks for this as I have to do this to install my new footwell lights.

 

[RPW00Mirage]

Just had to do this since I busted my screen. What a PITA. Thanks for the write up!

 

[mahalo_t]

Saw this post in another thread, particularly the last few sentences. Sounds like he found an easier way.

 

[Darkness]

Saw this post in another thread, particularly the last few sentences. Sounds like he found an easier way.

Yep, that's a pretty neat trick to getting this trim off!

 

[KDM_LV15]

Thanks for posting this! Something I was looking to do but going forward, is there a thread for changing out all the blue LEDs behind the buttons? I've looked everywhere and can't find any write up on it, or if it's possible

 

[B-ber]

I'm failing miserably at removing this right now :crying:

 

[[email protected]]

Taking any piece of the interior is a PITA! Holy crap !

Gina

 

[B-ber]

I was only trying to remove the trim under the radio :disappointed: I marked the soft plastic in the process and didn't even manage to remove it so I can paint it! I got scared I was going to damage it some more

 

[Halo Ninja]

It's definetly worth the time to pull trim. Fun mod to get that stuff painted or wrapped.

 

[B-ber]

Nice work! I've been doing peices here and there. I need the center counsel trim, the entertainment trim, the upper door for trim, and instrument cluster. The entertainment is a pain I think I might try to remove the soft plastic 1st so I don't damage it. I already dug into it from my first attempt at removing it.