VW Golf 2022 (Mk8) A-Pillar Removal Trick - That awkward upper metal clip!!!

How to remove the A-Pillar from a 2022 VW Golf. This pillar has 2 normal metal clips, and a third very tricky upper metal clip. A little hard to see in the video during removal, but hopefull you get the idea.
Filmed in Point Of View in real time.
Tools used: Pry tool (for visual), Long hook tool, angle hook tool.

[@KevinStaab]

Great vid and very informative! Thanks!

[@InstallersAssistant]

You are most welcome

[@Andrew.Chiu.360]

Thank you very much for the detailed informative video

[@InstallersAssistant]

You are Welcome Andrew

[@YasserAlaska]

Thank you for the video Extremely difficult to remove

[@InstallersAssistant]

Agreed, Easier when you know how. :)

[@woowididit]

You’re getting a follow for that mate good work

[@InstallersAssistant]

Many thanks.

[@chrislambe400]

Cheers mate. Bookmarked tis for a dashcam install in my Mk8 estate.

[@InstallersAssistant]

No worries. It is a common clip for a lot of the VW/Audi/Skoda vehicles.

[@LoweringTuningcenter]

TIP: You better can pull out the top part off the a pillar first. The clip is that long for that. Then you got a lot more room to get to the clip to get off. You can do it with a small simpel screwdrive from the side without getting risk to damaga the roof part. :-)

[@InstallersAssistant]

Next time one comes in, I will try this technique. Thanks for the tip.

[@Cal3banator]

Thanks for this video, I'll just be fishing my cable around the outside in this case...

[@InstallersAssistant]

I would not recommend that AT ALL.. any cabling that goes around the airbag, will potentially prevent the airbag from deploying properly. BIG safety issue. Have a crack at the technique. :)

[@GeFuryy]

I'm about to go attempt this so I can install a hardwired Dash cam for mine

[@InstallersAssistant]

Good luck. The video should make more sense when you see what I was trying to show with my camera. Not always easy to see exactly what I see. Once you do it, you will have an a-ha moment.

[@ependergrass]

Any idea where to find that long hook tool without a sharp point? Seems dangerous/easier to slip out with a sharp point, as well as more likely to cause damage. Everything I've found so far is sharp!

[@InstallersAssistant]

you could make something using a metal coat hanger. the trick is not so much a pull, but sharp small tugs.... like shaking your hand.

[@ependergrass]

@@InstallersAssistant thanks for the idea and for the video!

[@misik2183]

My understanding from the video is that with a long hook tool, the upper metal clip is pulled up (in a rocking motion) and thereby pushed out of the A-pillar plastic trim. The length of the groove on the bodywork for this clip also corresponds to this. Then it would be enough to unlock the remaining 2 normal clips with a crowbar. In the video, however, the upper metal clip is also unlocked with a crowbar. Why? Thanks.

[@InstallersAssistant]

The top clip has a cloning system built into it to stop the clip from “popping” out. This is quite common at the top of a lot of European vehicles. The square clip holds the upper clip to the pillar. With that removed, the clip can be slid up enough to pop out of the pillar. The clip stays in the car but needs to be removed to refit. This will make sense when you see it first hand.

[@Lukundulako]

is this the same for mk7 golf?

[@InstallersAssistant]

no. the mk7 uses security metal clips. They look like normal metal clips, but havce extra bits on them to make them harder to remove.... kinda like thorns on a rose bush. They do come out with force, but the clips will probably stay in the pillar, not the trim. Pop the pillar out a little, and shine a torch in there to see what I mean. If you find a way to squeeze the clip, it may come out.

[@YSColin]

Instead of squeezing the clip, you will need to first pull the trim panel (from the top end) outward halfway, so the clip is half-way out but the "security pin" is preventing it from releasing. And then look from the side (the side that the panel it meets the door seal), and underneath the airbag to locate the pin position. Then use a screwdriver or a plastic trim tool, slide the pin upward, do that to the top two pins and you should be good to go. It's very easy once you know how to do it. the hardest part is to pull out the trim panel out halfway, it requires a considerable amount of force, but you also don't want to overdo it so that it breaks the pin.