DIY:Removing the headliner

[old skool]

To remove the sunvisor, simply remove the two screws at the pivot post and pull it down and disconnect the wiring harness.

[old skool]

The center maplight assembly is removed by inserting a screw driver into each side where there is a small recess cut into the side of the maplight. Push the entire assembly towards the rear of the car and pull down. here you can see the metal spring clips on the rear side that you are compressing by doing this.

[old skool]

Remove the sunroof switch/motor panel by pushing it towards the rear of the car and pulling each side down. The clips at the rear of the car hold it up, so just slide the whole thing forward and it drops out.

[old skool]

Pull off the rubber/felt gasket seal for the sunroof. It is easier to do this if the sunroof is slid open.

[old skool]

Peel back the door and window seals that help hold the headliner in place. Here you can see how the seal fits into place with each of the panels.

[old skool]

Here you can see the door seals are captured by the kick rails. The kick rails are difficult to remove and usually ends up with broken clips and that can be a mess if you aren't careful. The rails themselves can also break and aren't cheap. Don't remove them unless you go to a black headliner. If you go to a black headliner you have to change these out to black felt seals. I will be doing this again, but I haven't yet so I don't have the steps detailed here now.

[old skool]

At the rear of the car along to top of the rear window, there is a metal rail that holds a bent lip of the headliner. You will need to release this to take the headliner out.

[old skool]

The headliner might be slightly glued to the roof of the car at the top of the windshield. Very carefully pull this loose. The headliner is very fragile and can be damaged easily. After this the headliner should basically just fall down.

[old skool]

This is very difficult to remove from the car. You need to recline the seats back all the way and open the door all the way. Then you have to rotate it carefully and gently guide it out of the car.

[old skool]

Headliner out of the car:

[old skool]

Talk about a ghetto lean. These seats recline pretty far.

[old skool]

This might be a good time to remove that rear deck if it is faded and spray it dark black again. I have one that I already did this to so I will swap it in. This part is a HUGE pain in the arse. There is a plastic panel that covers the front face of the top of the opening to the trunk behind the rear seats. It holds the front edge of the rear deck down and there are four fasteners that do this.
These are not fun at all. They are flimsy and really don't want to come out of the car. After some trial and error, I found the best way is to work them up enough to get set of good pliers under the head and grip the post. Then as you pull up, twist it CW or CCW while holding your hand parallel to the ground. Often the head will pop off and make a mess. Don't let these fall down into the hole because you won't be able to get them out.

[old skool]

This panel is clipped on to the top of the opening on the metal. It is a very tight fit so be careful working it loose because you can easily bend back your fingernails. Here it is removed along with the rear deck cover. The rear deck cover just lifts up and slides towards the front of the car. At the rear most edge where it meets the windshield it has tabs that slide down into holes.

[old skool]

If you like these DIY articles and you want to see more, show your support by donating via paypal.
But seriously my pliers slipped on one of those damn plastic clips on the rear deck lid and I did this to my brand new tint.
If you do want to donate the address is eurosource@gmail.com
Oh and the headliner and all parts are for sale.

[Pink Floyd]

Thank you for the great DIY writeup! I'm going to be replacing my sunroof assembly in the next few weeks so this will be very helpful!

[old skool]

Thank you for the great DIY writeup! I'm going to be replacing my sunroof assembly in the next few weeks so this will be very helpful!

Also check out my sunroof cassette removal DIY including the how to for removing the fabric shuttle.

[Crazy Dave]

You kick ass man. This is a project I'm going to tackle here in the coming weeks.

[Geoff.T]

What adhesive would you use when recovering a head liner? The supposibly super hold 3m spray at home depot didn't cut it.

[old skool]

You know I am not sure on the glue used to recover the headliner...however I have seen a number of threads about this...those people might have a better idea.

[old skool]

Bump for Monday

[martialartsblac]

I just recovered my a pillers.c pillars and entire head liner this weekend
I used 3m contact cement. key is to let iot dry then attach it .mins in black looks so kick ass pix to come

[XmEnNiNjA]

he's right you have to let the glue dry for at least 20-30 seconds first, to allow it to become more tacky. then apply the material to the headliner or pillars.

great write-up once again old skool

[speedster]

did yall just cover over the factory fabric or remove it? i will be recovering my headliner with suede here very soon, have it at home jst not time to recover

[e36]

ol skool is a DIY champion.

[XmEnNiNjA]

remove old fabric and wipe away old foam with a rag. the old foam wipes away easily with a rag. make sure you do it outside of the car. the stuff goes everywhere. have fun.

and make sure when u spray the adhesive that you let it dry for at least 30 seconds before you apply it. oh and spray both the clean headliner and the material itself. good luck