JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

My exterior A-pillar trim on the driver's side moves back and forth a little. Though I can't hear it, my daughter hears a buzz coming from the driver's side windshield when driving highway speeds. The passenger side is firmly in place. From parts pictures, it looks like there may be a clip that holds it in place. Has anyone replaced theirs or know how to remove it?

crconsulting

I’ve replaced a couple of those front A pillars. There are 3 plastic clips underneath the A pillar similar to the push in clips that hold some of interior panels down. They can get brittle with age and break. There are also two torx head bolts at the top and a plastic push in rivet at the bottom. Make sure those are there and tight too.

this may help
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...ml#post8328028

The plastic push in clip locations are circled in red, (clips are not present in pic) the rivet and torx head screw locations in green.

Good Luck

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

@crconsulting Thanks! I did check mine out. The torx screws are tight, but pulling the trim piece up a little, the previous owner (or someone) tried to remove it without removing the screws and broke the tab off. Fortunately, these pieces are easily available in the color of your choice, though the street price is around $200.

crconsulting

Make sure you order new clips. The new A pillar doesn’t come with any fasteners/clips.

edit for clarification : doesn’t come with the 3 push in clips, rivet and bolts

Wolfman

The rubber seal on this piece is also responsible for most wind noises experienced with the SL.

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

You're supposed to read my mind and tell me that ahead of time!

Here's a link to the item I ordered. From the diagram and note, it looks like it comes with one or more clips and a molding plug (whatever that is). If I need a new rivet or clips, I'll try to get them locally. Thanks for all your help.

https://www.mbpartsource.com/oem-par...23169001879040

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

My hearing is bad enough that I never heard it unless I tried really hard. However, I can hear the slightest squeak or weird engine noise.

But, I also cannot hear what my wife says. I hear her making noise, but I don't understand what she says. Had my hearing checked and I am deaf at certain frequencies. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.

Montreal300

Part #16 is also required. There are 3 of them and are right at the leading edge of the trim next to the glass.0

bha1

Wait, are we talking about the exterior or interior trim??

Up to post #5 it looks like exterior which is cheap and easy to replace
Starting with post #6 (Jettared) it looks like all of the part #’s and pics are for the *interior* trim which is more expensive and harder to replace.

Just want to make sure we are all talking about the same thing.. the thread title refers to the exterior trim only.

Montreal300

I'm talking exterior.

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Exterior. I called it trim, but Mercedes calls it molding. Here's a link showing that the piece is definitely exterior.

https://www.mbpartsource.com/v-2015-...r-trim-pillars

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

crconsulting

I’ve ordered/installed several of these….
Selling one on eBay right now (pictured above)
Every one of them (so far) has come with clips #16 pre installed.

What they don’t come with is:
Part #19 (plastic rivet). Plastic rivet is the typical MB rivet where you remove the center pin to pull the rivet. Make sure your car has one but completely reusable

Torx head bolts #13 x2 (reusable)

And the push in clips #14 x3. You may be able to reuse yours but those are usually pretty brittle.

If in doubt, wait till the A pillar comes in unless you want to order extra parts just to be safe…

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Got the part today. It came with the metal clips (#16) and nylon push-in pins (#14). The "old" one was missing the metal clips (#16) and the tab on the top end that the torx bolts secure was broken off. No wonder it was moving around so much. Shuda just pulled the old one off first and bought the three metal clips for a few bucks. Oh, well.