For those of you with 2023+ Defenders that presumably have the newer design A pillar trim and underlying mounting parts, do you mind sharing pictures of the gap between the lowest part and the top of the fenders?

I’m concerned that the newly installed latest design parts on my 2021 D90 are adjusted too tight against the top of the fenders. I just had the fenders resprayed (not at my expense) to correct paint chipping that was present on the top of the fenders at the base of the A pillar trim when I purchased the vehicle pre owned. I’m having PPF installed this week from the windshield forward and would prefer to have it slide under the A pillar trim as a form of protection.

After fender respray and latest A pillar parts installed:




Before respray. There’s some debate as to whether a windshield installer marred the paint, the A pillar trim flying off, or a combination of the two may have caused the paint issue:

 

No experience with the new design, but -

I had the same issue on my 2022 as your "pre" pictures. Gap too tight -> rubbing. Happened from the factory (prior to anyone touching it) and after windshield replacements x2. They had a dozen Defenders on the lot but none with that small of a gap - yours looks identical to mine. They told me after the last install that the trim was "installed as high up as possible." I think it's just a poor design as it's never been installed properly after having the parts off 4+ times and paint fixed twice.

 

This is on my 2022

The trim is definitely rubbing the paint at the rear.

 

Holy $HIT !! This is a problem ! I don't have this issue yet but I just looked at mine and the lowest piece of the A pillar trim is tight to the top of the fender on my 2023.5

Is this lower piece that I highlighted removable ?

 

Yes, just clip off

 

l tried to pull the piece of trim off but it started to pull the upper trim with it.

I figured if you put some clear PPF in between the two parts it will stop the paint rubbing off.

 

I tried pulling on it too and I stopped before I felt something would break. I believe putting PPF between the two would make it even tighter as the gap is already non existent. I think a better fix would be belt sanding the bottom of that small A pillar piece very carefully and precisely, not much needs to be removed, maybe 0.5-1 mm. Since this little A pillar piece is plastic, it most likely doesn't need to be repainted as the area I would sand is the very bottom edge. If these little A pillar pieces need repainting, no big deal, it sure beats repainting both front fenders....

Would love to see a video of this piece being removed properly.

 

l plan to buy two new pieces and then it will be possible to see how they are attached, which should make it easier to remove them.

And also if they do break, l will have new ones to fit.

 

See the Powerful UK video for removal instructions. This is for a 2020, but even with the newly redesigned parts, the process should be similar.

You can also review the raised air intake instructions for steps to remove the A pillar trim.

 

Very interesting and somehow scary topic
I’m wondering, why they put the a pillar in the repaired version again seemingly strong to the fender - and I found the same with latest MY24 releases what unfortunately spoils the line from side view.

However, does anybody have an idea, if it‘s a new approach with MY24 or simply a need for relocating the trim?


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