how to remove the "A" pillar?

[gosensei]

Does anyone have an easy way to remove the cover for the pillar running from the top of the windshield to the dashboard? I am little concerned about triggering the air bag inside. I am guessing there is an air bag there b/c the pillar has a label for it.

THx.

 

[B1GHAM]

yes there is an airbag in there...

follow the same proceedure for any other airbag, disconnect the battery and pump the brakes to remove any remaining charge...

Im curious, though, as to why you are removing the pillar.

 

[gosensei]

Just want to run some wires from a new rearview mirror to the kick panel. I am running them down the door seal for now. the only exposed part is around the top of the A pillar. But if it's easy to remove the pillar, I'd like to do it to hide the wire.

 

[B1GHAM]

honestly, I would think it easier to run it back, down the B pillar and across the kickplate and avoid the A-pillar all together...

though Ive never run wiring in a vehicle with Side airbags so I dunno... I would just imagine that the entire Apillar is a solid airbag unit with no room to run wiring.

 

[gosensei]

What's a B pillar? If you are talking about the Pillar between the front and rear doors, how do I get the wires from the rearview mirror to it? Is it easy to get access behind the roofing materials?

 

[07LiquidCX7]

What's a B pillar? If you are talking about the Pillar between the front and rear doors, how do I get the wires from the rearview mirror to it? Is it easy to get access behind the roofing materials?

You would need to use a long wire puller/fish tape to do it. Or drop the headliner. I would go with the A pillar. There is room to run wires behind the pillar without interfering with the air bag. I haven't done it but others here have. Hopefully someone will chime in with a how-to.

 

[GoBlueMazda]

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/instructions/cx7/Mirror_Compass_Homelink_(CX7)__.pdf

Page 3.

I wired my radar detector this way, HOWEVER I did NOT take it all the way off. If you remove the piece by the little window, and slowly BEGIN to remove the Pillar Trim enough where you can get the wire, you should have enough room to run wires. Keep in mind to run on OUTSIDE and NOT in front of air bag.

Yes I am still a Michigan Fan! GOBLUE!

 

[TheMAN]

pop off that small black dashboard trim panel right by the little trangle glass... then pull back the weather stripping around the A pillar trim... then grab on it and pull it back... you may need a trim tool or screw driver to pry on where the clips are a bit to help it.... don't worry, the airbag is pretty far behind the trim.... you can actually see the canister through the crack before you remove the trim.... the very top peg of the trim near the headliner does NOT pull off... you will have to pop all the rest of the lower clips off then pull upwards towards the headliner to unclip it...

to reinstall it, take a pair of pliers and turn that upper peg/clip that "can't be removed" 90 degrees then it will slide out... install that onto the trim and then you can reinstall everything in reverse order

if you still have trouble, look in the compass/homelink mirror instructions as it requires A pillar trim removal for wiring

 

[PuroMexicano]

removing it is easy, putting it back is a real pain in the ass.... (rant)

 

[MAX1242]

Radar Detector installation?

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/instructions/cx7/Mirror_Compass_Homelink_(CX7)__.pdf

Page 3.

I wired my radar detector this way, HOWEVER I did NOT take it all the way off. If you remove the piece by the little window, and slowly BEGIN to remove the Pillar Trim enough where you can get the wire, you should have enough room to run wires. Keep in mind to run on OUTSIDE and NOT in front of air bag.

Yes I am still a Michigan Fan! GOBLUE!

Can you update this link? I am looking to install a Direct Wire power cord and will have to splice in to the fuse box area for power.

UNLESS...there is enough (12V) at the auto dim mirror area then I would just have to stuff 5 ft of wire in-between the headliner.

If anyone else has installed a radar detector direct wire please reply or PM me on some guidance.

 

[GoBlueMazda]

Can you update this link? I am looking to install a Direct Wire power cord and will have to splice in to the fuse box area for power.

UNLESS...there is enough (12V) at the auto dim mirror area then I would just have to stuff 5 ft of wire in-between the headliner.

If anyone else has installed a radar detector direct wire please reply or PM me on some guidance.

Sorry but finishline has removed these docs. I can take pics maybe this weekend, I have the mirror that has the garage door openers (forgot the brand name).

LMK if you need pics of the wire I connected to.

 

[MAX1242]

Sure, I am just looking into installing this and tapping into the power to the auto dim mirror. But I am looking for better alternatives. Pics would be nice.