Door sill removal

[kingo]

I'd like to know how to remove door sill on 2006 Avi. I tried to pry it out but I'm affraid to damage it. The metal looks delicate. Searched the forum and Googled it but couldnt find answers. Thanks in advance for your help...

[TrailDust]

I haven't removed the door sill specifically from my own Avalon, but from experience doing other disassembly work on my Avalon and Highlander I've come to find that clips, etc., holding parts in place on these vehicles often require quite a bit of force to remove them. If you feel you need detailed pics or diagrams to help with the removal, then other than buying the FSM you could purchase a two-day subscription to Toyota's TIS (Technical Information Service), which will allow you access to all the technical details to your Avalon, including diagrams, etc., for download.

[inov8]

Drawing posted here:

Forum Rules require the removal of this link as direct links to FSM documents are not allowed. -- TrailDust

Note that Toyota considers the retaining clips to be "non-reusable". This probably means you have to destroy them to remove the rocker.

[kingo]

Hi,,thanks guys! TrailDust,,received your PM with diagram. Thanks inov8 for diagram. I think I didnt explain correctly; the part I need to remove is the aluminum sill plate on the inside of the door so I can take out some stereo cables the previous owner(my father) had installed. Heres a picture:

[Tech1984]

It can simply be popped up using a plastic pry tool set. Use a thin one first to locate the hold down clips. Then I like to use 2 tools at once and work them together on each clip.
These are all located on the flat portion. (4 clips) The entire piece in your picture will come out.
This is very easy to do if you're gental and work evenly.
BTW, clip that floor mat in place!

[kingo]

Originally Posted by Tech1984

It can simply be popped up using a plastic pry tool set. Use a thin one first to locate the hold down clips. Then I like to use 2 tools at once and work them together on each clip.
These are all located on the flat portion. (4 clips) The entire piece in your picture will come out.
This is very easy to do if you're gental and work evenly.
BTW, clip that floor mat in place!

Thanks Tech for responding. So, the whole plastic peice including the aluminum(AVALON) plate comes out as one part?...Will try tomorrow.

P.D. The mat is fastened; clip didnt show up in photo. Good advice though!

[inov8]

You may have removed the sill molding by now, so this may be superfluous.

Yes, the metal "Avalon" plate and plastic are all removed as one piece.
As Tech1984 advised, there are 4 blind retainers under the flat (top) section. These are identical to those generally used to retain door trim panels. In addition there are 7 projections molded into the plastic that engage slots in the body metal. 5 of these are located along the curved (inner) part, and 2 are located at the front and rear near where the molding meets the carpet.

I removed mine, starting at the front by slipping my fingers under the carpet and pulling the plastic toward the inside of the car, and up, simultaneously. Then I used a metal putty knife with a slot cut in it to pry up each of the blind retainers, working from front to back.

It helps if the molding is heated first to make the plastic more pliable. I use a hair dryer, but in P.R., this step ay be unnecessary.

It's not unusual for one of the blind retainers to break. You may be able to find replacements at an auto parts store.

[kingo]

Originally Posted by inov8

You may have removed the sill molding by now, so this may be superfluous.

Yes, the metal "Avalon" plate and plastic are all removed as one piece.
As Tech1984 advised, there are 4 blind retainers under the flat (top) section. These are identical to those generally used to retain door trim panels. In addition there are 7 projections molded into the plastic that engage slots in the body metal. 5 of these are located along the curved (inner) part, and 2 are located at the front and rear near where the molding meets the carpet.

I removed mine, starting at the front by slipping my fingers under the carpet and pulling the plastic toward the inside of the car, and up, simultaneously. Then I used a metal putty knife with a slot cut in it to pry up each of the blind retainers, working from front to back.

It helps if the molding is heated first to make the plastic more pliable. I use a hair dryer, but in P.R., this step ay be unnecessary.

It's not unusual for one of the blind retainers to break. You may be able to find replacements at an auto parts store.

Havent tried to remove yet; thanks very much for the explanation. I'll give it a go and post results...