Exterior Trim Acura TL III

Scheme 81

1. Remove caps and the nuts (A), and detach the clip (B) by pushing it from the drain hole (C) in the hood, then remove the hood molding (D). Take care not to scratch the hood.
2. Install the molding in the reverse order of removal, and replace the clip if it's damaged.

Scheme 82

1. Remove the front bumper (see «FRONT BUMPER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(/acura/tl/iii-2003-2006/remont/exterior-body-panels/#bumper-system__front-bumper-removalinstallation) ).
2. Remove the screws, and remove the front grille cover (A) and center molding (B) from the front bumper (C). Take care not to scratch the front bumper.
3. If emblem (D) replacement is necessary, refer to emblem/sticker replacement (see «EMBLEM/STICKER REPLACEMENT»(/acura/tl/iii-2003-2006/remont/exteriorinterior-trim/#exterior-trim__emblemsticker-replacement) ).
4. Install the grille in the reverse order of removal.

Scheme 83

1. Remove the front bumper (see «FRONT BUMPER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(/acura/tl/iii-2003-2006/remont/exterior-body-panels/#bumper-system__front-bumper-removalinstallation) ).
2. With a screwdriver, gently push out the hooks from inside, then remove the front grille lower molding (A) from the front bumper (B) by pulling it out. Take care not to scratch the front bumper.
3. Install the molding in the reverse order of removal, and push the hooks into place securely.

Front Bulkhead Cover Replacement

Special Tools Required

KTC trim tool set SOJATP2014 *

* Available through the American Honda Tool and Equipment Program; call 888-424-6857

Note. Use the appropriate tool from the KTC trim tool set to avoid damage when prying components. Take care not to scratch the front bulkhead and body.

Scheme 84

Scheme 85

Scheme 86

1. Remove the washer reservoir cap (A), and release the hooks (B) and pins (C), then remove the right side engine compartment cover (D).
2. Release the hooks (A) and pins (B), then remove the left side engine compartment cover (C).
3. Detach the clips (A, B), then remove the front bulkhead cover (C).
4. Install the front bulkhead cover in the reverse order of removal, and note these items: Check for damaged or stress-whitened clips, and replace them with new ones. Push the clips into place securely.

Front Fender Trim Replacement

Note. Take care not to scratch the body.

Scheme 87

1. Remove these items: Left front fender trim Left rear engine compartment cover (see step 3 ) Left side engine compartment cover (see step 2 ) Right front fender trim Right side engine compartment cover (see step 1 ) Left rear engine compartment cover (see step 2 ) Right rear engine compartment cover (see step 4 )
2. Remove the clips, then remove the front fender trim (A) by releasing the hooks (B) from the body.
3. Install the trim in the reverse order of removal, and note these items: Check for damaged or stress-whitened clips, and replace them with new ones. Push the clips into place securely.

Cowl Cover Replacement

Note. Take care not to scratch the cowl cover and body. Use a clip remover to remove the hood rear seal clips.

Scheme 88

Scheme 89

Scheme 90

Scheme 91

Scheme 92

1. Remove the windshield wiper arms (see «WIPER MOTOR REPLACEMENT»(/acura/tl/iii-2003-2006/remont/wiperwasher-systems/#wiper-system-washer-system) ).
2. Release the hooks (A, B, C), then remove the left rear engine compartment cover (D) from the clip (E).
3. Remove the right side engine compartment cover (see step 1 )
4. Release the hooks (A), then remove the right rear engine compartment cover (B) from the clips (C).
5. Pull out the hood rear seal (A). Using a clip remover, detach the clips from the cowl covers.
6. Detach the clips (A, B) by carefully pulling the passenger's cowl cover (C) upward, and release the hook (D) on the passenger's cowl cover from the driver's cowl cover (E), then remove the cover by releasing the hook (F).
7. Disconnect the windshield washer tubes (G).
8. Detach the clips (A, B, C) by carefully pulling the driver's cowl cover (D) upward, then remove the cover by releasing the hooks (E).
9. Install the covers in the reverse order of removal, and note these items: Check for damaged or stress-whitened clips, and replace them with new ones. Make sure the washer tubes are connected securely. Push the clips into place securely.

Roof Molding Replacement

Special Tools Required

KTC trim tool set SOJATP2014 *

* Available through the American Honda Tool and Equipment Program; call 888-424-6857

Note. Put on gloves to protect your hands. Take care not to damage the windshield. Do not use any metallic tools to remove the roof molding, or you may chip the edge of the windshield and some cracks in the windshield will occur. Use the appropriate tool from the KTC trim tool set to avoid damage when prying components. Take care not to bend the roof molding.

Scheme 93

Scheme 94

Scheme 95

Scheme 96

1. Remove the cowl cover (see «COWL COVER REPLACEMENT»(/acura/tl/iii-2003-2006/remont/exteriorinterior-trim/#exterior-trim__cowl-cover-replacement) ).
2. Detach the bottom clip (A) at the lower corner of the windshield.
3. Remove the windshield portion of the roof molding (A). 1 Carefully insert a trim tool (B) under the molding next to the lower clip (C). 2 While pulling the clip portion of the molding up by hand, push each of the eight small hooks (D) in numbered sequence shown to release the clip from the retainer (E). Do not try to pry up the clip if it is hard to release from the retainer. 3 Gradually work your way up to release each of the upper clips (F, G, H).
4. Pull up the middle portion of the roof molding (A) to release it from the retainers (B).
5. Pull the roof molding (A) forward, lift the end of the molding off the pin (B), and remove the roof molding.
6. Install the molding in the reverse order of removal, and note these items: Make sure the roof molding is installed securely. Check for damaged or stress-whitened clips, and replace them with new ones.

Scheme 97

1. While prying the middle hook (A) with a trim tool, slide the upper retainer (B) and lower retainers (C) upward to release them from the T-studs (D) on the A-pillar. Take care not to scratch the body.
2. Install the retainers in the reverse order of removal.

Front Side Sill Panel Replacement

Note. Put on gloves to protect your hands.

Scheme 98

Scheme 99

1. Remove the front side sill panel (A). 1 On the back of the front fenderwell, remove the screws (B) securing the front side sill panel. 2 Remove the clip (C). 3 Carefully remove the clip (D) by pushing it out from inside the fenderwell. 4 Slide the front side sill panel forward to release it from the clips (E), then remove the panel. The clips stay in the body.
2. Remove the clips from the body by turning them 45°.
3. Check for damaged or stress-whitened clips, and replace them with new ones.
4. Install the clips (A, B) on the front side sill panel (C).
5. Hold the panel up, and fit all the clips into the holes in the body, then push on the panel until the clips snap into place.
6. Install the clip (D) and screws (E).

Rear Side Sill Panel Replacement

Note. Put on gloves to protect your hands.

Scheme 100

Scheme 101

1. Remove the rear side sill panel (A). 1 On the front of the rear fenderwell, remove the screws (B) securing the rear side sill panel. 2 Remove the clips (C, D). 3 Pull up on the rear of the rear side sill panel while sliding it back to free it from the clips (E, F) which stay in the body.
2. Remove the clips from the body by turning them 45°.
3. Check for damaged or stress-whitened clips, and replace them with new ones.
4. Install the clips (A, B) on the rear side sill panel (C).
5. Hold the panel up, and fit all the clips into the holes in the body, then push on the panel until the clips snap into place.
6. Install the clips (D, E) and screws (F).

Rear License Trim Replacement

Note. Put on gloves to protect your hands.

Scheme 102

Scheme 103

Scheme 104

1. Remove the trunk lid trim (see «TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - TRUNK LID»(/acura/tl/iii-2003-2006/remont/exteriorinterior-trim/#interior-trim__trim-removalinstallation-trunk-lid) ).
2. From inside the trunk lid, remove the nuts securing the rear license trim (A), disconnect the back-up light connectors (B).
3. Gently close the trunk lid, and pull the rear license trim (A) out to detach the clips, then remove the trim. Take care not to scratch the trunk lid.
4. If necessary, remove the screws and hooks (A) from the rear license trim (B), then remove the rear license trim molding (C).
5. Install the trim in the reverse order of removal, and note these items: Check for damaged or stress-whitened clips, and replace them with new ones. Make sure the back-up light connectors are plugged in properly. Push the clips into place securely.

Scheme 105

1. Remove the clips (A) and bolts (B), then remove the rear under cover (C). Take care not to scratch the rear bumper (D).
2. Install the cover in the reverse order of removal, and note these items: Check for damaged or stress-whitened clips, and replace them with new ones. Push the clips into place securely.

Emblem/Sticker Replacement

Note. When removing the emblems/stickers, take care not to scratch the body.

Scheme 106

1. Clean the body surface with a sponge dampened in alcohol. After cleaning, keep oil, grease, and water from getting on the surface.
2. Apply the emblem/sticker where shown. When installing the ULEV sticker on the inside surface of the rear door quarter glass, align the sticker application tape with the edge of the glass mark as shown, then press the sticker into place, and remove the application tape.

See also:
• FRONT BUMPER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION
• WIPER MOTOR REPLACEMENT
• TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - TRUNK LID
• EMBLEM/STICKER REPLACEMENT
• COWL COVER REPLACEMENT