Dashboard Trim Removal

Has anyone removed this triangular piece of the dashboard? The instructions in the workshop manual do not address this piece, except to say “Remove the upper trim.” By that, do they mean the top portion of the dashboard which spans the cabin? I think so, but equally important is loosening or removing the A-pillar so this triangular piece can be removed. How is the A-pillar removed? The workshop manual is fairly descriptive with all other dashboard components except this triangular piece and the A-pillar.
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Two years ago RipVega removed one of the A-pillars in his 458, and was asking for help. Instead of offering any, you asked him this.

jeez guys why don't you have someone do this stuff for you?

Today you do the same to me. I asked for help, not needing to be second-guessed why I want to work on my own car. My reasons emulate RipVega's ... (a) because I can (b) I know my way around cars (c) I like the challenge (d) it is gratifying to resolve something in your own garage (e) all the above.

 

It is far from being so simple to use plastic tools, then begin tugging on the interior pieces. What is not intuitive without schematics, is where the tiny screws are that must first be removed ... then you can pull things loose. But even that is not straightforward. To remove the A-pillar trim, the sun visors must be removed, but not before the front roof trim is removed, but not before the lateral roof trim is removed, but not before the upper lateral trim is removed, but not before the seatbelt mount is removed, but not before the rear roof trim is removed. You get the idea.

 

Not true. Most of the pieces are secured with concealed 3mm hex head screws.

 

Not yet.

Looking for a noise.

 

The noise that seemed to be emanating from the dashboard, turned out to be coming from the chassis in two places, resonating into the cabin.

1 - The riveted joiner at the base of the windshield would make a “groaning noise” with slight pressure on the fender.

2 - There was also a ”little play” inside the chassis rail at the base of the a-pillar.

Rubberized undercoating was sprayed in both places to dampen and absorb the creaking sounds. This was not a casual repair, because it required driving the car in various stages of dashboard disassembly to locate the noise. Apparently this is not an uncommon occurrence, because the dealership said they have seen this on other 458s.