Replacing the headliner

[illuminatus]

I got a new OEM headliner a while back off of ebay for about $50 shipped. Anyway, it's starting to warm up here now and I want to swap out my old falling down headliner with the brand new shiny one. Unfortunately, I have no clue how to take it out. I know there are those 3 push buttons in the back that need to come out but other than that I am clueless. My brother lost the manual so I can't reference that. Anyone wanna give me a hint?

 

[bigbrothajake]

I wish I took pictures to better illistrate, but I don't so I will be as descriptive as possible.

1. Remove everything bolted to your ceiling (the sun visors, center light fixture, and rear hooks located on the top of the B-pillars). The tools I used was a phillips and slotted screwdriver.

2. Remove the interior upper B-Pillar covers which will be held on by 4 plastic rivots. You'll break the lower tabs of the cover most likely unless you remove the back seat and lower B-Pillar cover first as this tab is rivoted in and snug underneath the lower B-Pillar cover (I broke them, later reglued, and reinserted without the rivots in place). Remove the interior A-Pillar covers.

3. Remove the abs plastic pop-screws with a slotted screwdriver and a pliers. If I'm not mistaken, there are a total of 11 to be removed.

4. You may now begin to remove the headliner. Keep in mind it's a rigid peice that cracks easily. There are tabs on the headliner aft of the middle pop screws on each side the must be descended from the ceiling. They are bendable. Next you will get situated in the back seat, and push forward on the headliner bringing it past the rear lip, which holds it in place. Then pull down and then slightly back. By this motion you will remove it from the front lip and minimize cracking it.

5. Next, get out of the car leaving the headliner in it, and recline the seats. Once reclined you can angle and adjust the headliner out of the car.

Install is opposite of removal.
Don't lose any parts.

*Tip: Remove all the old foam-backing from the headliner. You cannot have glue to it.

Good Luck

Regards,
Jake

 

[illuminatus]

Thanks. I don't have to worry about the headliner cracking though since I have a brand spanking new one. Just pop-out and pop-back in.

 

[BlackbirdOfPrey]

THe only real trick is not breaking the 60,000 plastic snaps and connectors that hold it in place, other than that its a snap.

 

[Defiant]

Well, it's kind of a risk, but you might want to try the illustrated instructions in our Tech Section. But it can be nearly as scary as using the search.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106056

 

[Well Traveled]

I just replaced mine and one thing to look out for: when you take off the plastic trim pieces between the windows on the sides of the car, be careful! I broke off a piece where it's clipped on one side, and vowed to be careful with the other side. And I broke that piece too. Let me tell you though, once you get the new one it, it will smell a hellava lot better. (if you had a smoker car and got a nonsmoker headliner like i did) Oh, and don't forget to plug the interior lights back in!

 

[red_devil]

Im looking to replace my head liner with a red that matches my ext. color

Has anyone done this? if so could they post some pics? Do you guys think it would look ok given that my int. color is tan so it will be a red head liner with tan sun visors.

any thoughts?

 

[redeclipse7782]

Im looking to replace my head liner with a red that matches my ext. color

Has anyone does this? if so could they post some pics? Do you guys think it would look ok given that my int. color is tan so it will be a red head liner with tan sun visors.

any thoughts?

Measure the headliner add 12 inches to lenth and width, then go to a craft store and buy a thin red fabric that matches your car and can be stretched a little if needed. Buy some 3m adhesive medium to high strength and attach the fabric to the headliner. Wait for it to completely dry then re-install the headliner. Also its easier to remove/install the headline through the back hatch.