Down the Rabbit Hole by A-pillar, Dropped a Clip =(

[3002 tii]

Had to remove my A-pillar, thought I was a stud seeing how easily I was able to remove it without resorting to my typical brute force technique. I had read in some DIY's this can be a real b*tch.

A-pillar comes off and I hear something rattle downwards. Noticed it was one of the round plastic clips that attaches to the metal frame of the pillar. I stick my fingers down into the corner where the pillar and dash meet. And sure enough my fingers knock it even further down. I can order a new clip, not a big deal but I'd like to pull that sucker out if possible. I checked the glove box and even opened the lower trim under the glovebox but no clip. Does anyone know where that clip would've fell to?

[Cemoto]

No idea, but try some reversed duct tape on the end of a wire coat hanger to stick fish it out

[FactorX81]

This happened to me when I was hard wiring my radar detector couldn't find the thing. I pulled out the kick panel and it was stuck in a small plastic pocket on the attachment point of the kick panel. Good luck finding it.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by FactorX81

This happened to me when I was hard wiring my radar detector couldn't find the thing. I pulled out the kick panel and it was stuck in a small plastic pocket on the attachment point of the kick panel. Good luck finding it.

Don't suppose you can take a picture and draw a circle around the area you're referring to? Not actually open up kick panel but just take a pic from the outside with your phone?

[e36addict]

Yeah this happens almost every time.. very frustrating. Usually it just lands in the kick panel.. I'd just pull the T20's out and drop it, most likely you'll find it. At least it wasn't the drivers side, where it likes to fall down behind the hood release lever..

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by e36addict

Yeah this happens almost every time.. very frustrating. Usually it just lands in the kick panel.. I'd just pull the T20's out and drop it, most likely you'll find it. At least it wasn't the drivers side, where it likes to fall down behind the hood release lever..

Weird, I dropped the kick panel and found nothing. I'll check again. Just to confirm we're talking in the same language, 'kick panel' is the horizontal piece right below the glove box, above your feet right? Or is kick panel where you would rest your feet, ie behind the carpeting where it comes up?

Sorry for crude MS Paint diagrams but only pics I could find online. The first one with the right angle arrow is referring to that entire one piece trim. The second being the carpeted area which is what I usually refer to as kick panel.

[Rob Daman]

kick panel is the vertical plastic cover nearest your door hinges. that would be to your right while sitting in the passenger seat.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Rob Daman

kick panel is the vertical plastic cover nearest your door hinges. that would be to your right while sitting in the passenger seat.

Got it, thanks. I'll give a try this weekend.

[Rob Daman]

no problem. it's to the right if that circle you posted up.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Rob Daman

no problem. it's to the right if that circle you posted up.

Last question, does the side sill, or the piece adjacent to the sill on the interior side need to come off too? Don't recall if the kick panel is connected to that piece.

[FactorX81]

no you shouldn't have to remove anything else.