Headliner DIY (with a sunroof) 96-00 Ex, EM1
07-07-2008, 12:50 PM
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Headliner DIY (with a sunroof) 96-00 Ex, EM1
So I wanted to redo my headliner after I saw it was starting to come loose and came across a headliner thread. No one had a DIY for one though and I searched and came up with nothing for a car with a sunroof and decided to make one.
The pictures aren't the best because I couldn't find the camera and had to use my phone
I will try to find pictures for the beginning as a before reference to make it easier to follow.
I am missing pictures for some of the steps but its not that hard.
First remove the passenger handle/ooh crap bar on the roof, the clothes hook on the driver rear, the sun visors by removing the screws(duh)
Then remove the the cover around the rear view mirror by pulling down on either side. I don't have a picture but its just a little nub that sits in a notch on either side.
The last thing is to remove the dome light cover and take the two 8mm nuts out holding the done light up.
After all these things are removed there is nothing holding the headliner in, it is just resting on the side panels
Pop the panels out but lightly pulling them outwards so they slide out of the clips.
There is a plastic strip near the back windshield that pulls down(with the clips just like all other interior panels) and will come completely out.
Simply pull the panels down out of the way of the headliner and slide the headliner forwards toward the curvature of the windshield.
You will have to pull down on the headliner around the sunroof the get it around the rubber surrounding the edges of the sunroof opening.
I pulled the whole thing forward to get it free of the rear panels. Once it is free turn the liner sideways to get it out of the car.( If you fold your seats back its a lot easier to remove.
Headliner out.
Then the fun begins. Getting to the slide piece.
Pinch the clips that hold the brown hose on at each end and pull them off of the nipple.
Unhook the 2 connections for the sunroof motor
(there will also be a plastic clip holding the wire to the assemble that needs to be pushed out to get free)
There are two clips that hold the wires for the dome light to the assembly( dont have a picture) remove those also so the light hangs free of the assembly.
Remove the ten(I believe, maybe 8) 10mm bolts that hold the sunroof assembly in. Leave the 2 at the front and 2 at the rear in until last so it will not fall on you.
Once you are ready to lower it down if you have someone to help you hold it get them. If not, lean your seats up with your headrests as high as they will go.
Loosen the 2 rear bolts and remove the 2 front ones resting the assembly on the headrests.
Remove the rear 2 bolts and hold the assembly from falling down.
If you have someone to help you this is where you need them. It is not too heavy but very awkward to remove by yourself. I nicked my door getting it out by myself.
Assembly out
Next remove the 10mm bolts on each side(one per side) of the track for the slide piece.
Remove the bolt and fold that gold bracket up off of the stud so the bumpstop is clear of the track.
Pull up on the metal tubes containing the springs for the slide piece at the rubber grommets(in red) while sliding the slide piece out.
It might take some fighting but it should come easily.
Once its out unscrew the 2 screws from the back to remove the cup handle.
Now that everything is out you can start covering it with the fabric of your choosing
I chose this classic checkered design
Lay your fabric on top of your headliner and cut it to a little larger than the size of the liner.
Repeat for the slide piece.
One your fabric is the cut, lay it where you want it and fold one side over and spray your glue on the surface and a little on the fabric(not too much or it will soak through and you will be able to see it)
Let it sit a few minutes before you apply the fabric so the glue has time to get tacky.
I used Loctite maximum strength
Repeat with the headliner itself.
The easiest way is to hold up one half and work the bubbles out with one hand. If you work quickly you have time to peel the fabric back if you mess up.
Once you have it rubbed on there good trim the excess and cut slits around the corners and in the openings so the material can be folded over and glued down on the other side for extra hold.
I folded the pieces over and tested to make sure they would fold tight and not loose the curve of the backing. After the glue has had time to dry flip the headliner over and spray glue on the backing and the overlaying pieces of fabric and fold them over the back of the liner.
I dont have any pictures of this but once you get all the pieces folded over and glued its ready to dry over night.
I had already attached the slide handle on there after cleaning it up.
I wanted to cover up the factory backing on the slide piece as it was faded and looked terrible so I cut more material to shape and glued it to the side that would be sticking up to be seen through the sunroof.
With everything but the holes for the sun visors, rear view mirror and handle cut out.
Replace the slide piece in just like removal, holding up the tubes and sliding it back in the rails.
Fold the gold brackets back down and replace the 10mm nuts to hold them in place.
At this point you have to have assistance from someone else unless you have 4 arms and they can stretch out. 3 people is the best but it can be done with 2
Get on each side of the car and hold the sunroof assembly in place, while you thread in one bolt on each side with your hand. Then you will be able to let go and replace the rest of the bolts and tighten down the sunroof assembly.
The seal on mine didn't seem to fit as tight as it was before I removed it but once I slid it back then closed it again it sealed fine.
Replace the 2 connections and snap the holders back in for that wire and the wire for the dome light.
Put the brown hoses at each corner back on the nipple and clamp them back down.
Make sure everything is tight before you get the headliner back in.
Put the headliner in the car and hop on in there, Its easier if you start in the back I think and pull the panels down over the edge of the liner. it will rest on there so you can move to the front and pull those panels down out of the way and it will rest on there now.
Carefully hold the liner up and pop the panel clips back in by pushing or tapping on them with your fist.
Once the panels are in you can replace the sun visors, rear view mirror, clothes hanger and handle. Don't forget to pull the dome light back through the opening or it will be hard to get back out(I did this
)
Replace the dome light bolts(two 8mms)
Push up on the liner while you run your finger or a phillips screwdriver(anything round) between the sunroof opening rubber and the liner to get it around it.
Once its around there push up on the liner again to make sure its seated well.
Double check your panels to ensure they are tight and your done!
Finished product.
The view from the top of the car.
I hope this helps someone out
Modified by AnotherEJ at 5:01 PM 7/7/2008
The pictures aren't the best because I couldn't find the camera and had to use my phone
I will try to find pictures for the beginning as a before reference to make it easier to follow.I am missing pictures for some of the steps but its not that hard.
First remove the passenger handle/ooh crap bar on the roof, the clothes hook on the driver rear, the sun visors by removing the screws(duh)
Then remove the the cover around the rear view mirror by pulling down on either side. I don't have a picture but its just a little nub that sits in a notch on either side.
The last thing is to remove the dome light cover and take the two 8mm nuts out holding the done light up.
After all these things are removed there is nothing holding the headliner in, it is just resting on the side panels
Pop the panels out but lightly pulling them outwards so they slide out of the clips.
There is a plastic strip near the back windshield that pulls down(with the clips just like all other interior panels) and will come completely out.
Simply pull the panels down out of the way of the headliner and slide the headliner forwards toward the curvature of the windshield.
You will have to pull down on the headliner around the sunroof the get it around the rubber surrounding the edges of the sunroof opening.
I pulled the whole thing forward to get it free of the rear panels. Once it is free turn the liner sideways to get it out of the car.( If you fold your seats back its a lot easier to remove.
Headliner out.
Then the fun begins. Getting to the slide piece.
Pinch the clips that hold the brown hose on at each end and pull them off of the nipple.
Unhook the 2 connections for the sunroof motor
(there will also be a plastic clip holding the wire to the assemble that needs to be pushed out to get free)
There are two clips that hold the wires for the dome light to the assembly( dont have a picture) remove those also so the light hangs free of the assembly.
Remove the ten(I believe, maybe 8) 10mm bolts that hold the sunroof assembly in. Leave the 2 at the front and 2 at the rear in until last so it will not fall on you.
Once you are ready to lower it down if you have someone to help you hold it get them. If not, lean your seats up with your headrests as high as they will go.
Loosen the 2 rear bolts and remove the 2 front ones resting the assembly on the headrests.
Remove the rear 2 bolts and hold the assembly from falling down.
If you have someone to help you this is where you need them. It is not too heavy but very awkward to remove by yourself. I nicked my door getting it out by myself.
Assembly out
Next remove the 10mm bolts on each side(one per side) of the track for the slide piece.
Remove the bolt and fold that gold bracket up off of the stud so the bumpstop is clear of the track.
Pull up on the metal tubes containing the springs for the slide piece at the rubber grommets(in red) while sliding the slide piece out.
It might take some fighting but it should come easily.
Once its out unscrew the 2 screws from the back to remove the cup handle.
Now that everything is out you can start covering it with the fabric of your choosing
I chose this classic checkered design
Lay your fabric on top of your headliner and cut it to a little larger than the size of the liner.
Repeat for the slide piece.
One your fabric is the cut, lay it where you want it and fold one side over and spray your glue on the surface and a little on the fabric(not too much or it will soak through and you will be able to see it)
Let it sit a few minutes before you apply the fabric so the glue has time to get tacky.
I used Loctite maximum strength
Repeat with the headliner itself.
The easiest way is to hold up one half and work the bubbles out with one hand. If you work quickly you have time to peel the fabric back if you mess up.
Once you have it rubbed on there good trim the excess and cut slits around the corners and in the openings so the material can be folded over and glued down on the other side for extra hold.
I folded the pieces over and tested to make sure they would fold tight and not loose the curve of the backing. After the glue has had time to dry flip the headliner over and spray glue on the backing and the overlaying pieces of fabric and fold them over the back of the liner.
I dont have any pictures of this but once you get all the pieces folded over and glued its ready to dry over night.
I had already attached the slide handle on there after cleaning it up.
I wanted to cover up the factory backing on the slide piece as it was faded and looked terrible so I cut more material to shape and glued it to the side that would be sticking up to be seen through the sunroof.
With everything but the holes for the sun visors, rear view mirror and handle cut out.
Replace the slide piece in just like removal, holding up the tubes and sliding it back in the rails.
Fold the gold brackets back down and replace the 10mm nuts to hold them in place.
At this point you have to have assistance from someone else unless you have 4 arms and they can stretch out. 3 people is the best but it can be done with 2
Get on each side of the car and hold the sunroof assembly in place, while you thread in one bolt on each side with your hand. Then you will be able to let go and replace the rest of the bolts and tighten down the sunroof assembly.
The seal on mine didn't seem to fit as tight as it was before I removed it but once I slid it back then closed it again it sealed fine.
Replace the 2 connections and snap the holders back in for that wire and the wire for the dome light.
Put the brown hoses at each corner back on the nipple and clamp them back down.
Make sure everything is tight before you get the headliner back in.
Put the headliner in the car and hop on in there, Its easier if you start in the back I think and pull the panels down over the edge of the liner. it will rest on there so you can move to the front and pull those panels down out of the way and it will rest on there now.
Carefully hold the liner up and pop the panel clips back in by pushing or tapping on them with your fist.
Once the panels are in you can replace the sun visors, rear view mirror, clothes hanger and handle. Don't forget to pull the dome light back through the opening or it will be hard to get back out(I did this
)Replace the dome light bolts(two 8mms)
Push up on the liner while you run your finger or a phillips screwdriver(anything round) between the sunroof opening rubber and the liner to get it around it.
Once its around there push up on the liner again to make sure its seated well.
Double check your panels to ensure they are tight and your done!
Finished product.
The view from the top of the car.
I hope this helps someone out
Modified by AnotherEJ at 5:01 PM 7/7/2008
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07-07-2008, 02:34 PM
#12
Re: Headliner DIY (Nate047)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Nate047 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">nice writeup, but that pattern... holy headache batman!!!</TD></TR></TABLE>
yup I'd get dizzy looking up...great idea though.
yup I'd get dizzy looking up...great idea though.
07-07-2008, 05:20 PM
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Re: Headliner DIY (TylerFlip)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sicc83 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Nice writeup! I hope the glue holds because you will be bullshit if it starts to sag. 
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yeah I hope so too! I sprayed the crap out of it. Your VW was one of the cars that inspired me to do it
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 00ekcoupe »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well done! Nice write up too. </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mingo »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> good job</TD></TR></TABLE>
Thanks
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by gabebauman »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">THAT IS FLIPPIN' ILL DUDE!
Thanks for the step by step...Now I can do mine when I get some free time</TD></TR></TABLE>
Thanks, Yeah this is what I was looking for to take some of the guess work out of the sunroof removal so I figured I would try and help others out. Black tweed would match yours perfect.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Nate047 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">nice writeup, but that pattern...holy headache batman! </TD></TR></TABLE>
Haha believe it or not you really dont notice it at all. It took my wife like 3 minutes to even see it, and my dad didnt even remember until I mentioned it to him. Once I redo my visors solid black it will be even less noticeable for me.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CD5SiRHero »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> yup I'd get dizzy looking up...great idea though.</TD></TR></TABLE>
In the pictures the colors do sort of blur together and mess with your eyes. I almost went with this skull pattern which would have matched better but Im glad I didnt.
I can see everyone in larger suv's and trucks staring because they can see it through my sunroof lol.
</TD></TR></TABLE>Yeah I hope so too! I sprayed the crap out of it. Your VW was one of the cars that inspired me to do it
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 00ekcoupe »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well done! Nice write up too.
</TD></TR></TABLE><TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mingo »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
good job</TD></TR></TABLE>Thanks
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by gabebauman »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">THAT IS FLIPPIN' ILL DUDE!
Thanks for the step by step...Now I can do mine when I get some free time</TD></TR></TABLE>
Thanks, Yeah this is what I was looking for to take some of the guess work out of the sunroof removal so I figured I would try and help others out. Black tweed would match yours perfect.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Nate047 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">nice writeup, but that pattern...holy headache batman! </TD></TR></TABLE>
Haha believe it or not you really dont notice it at all. It took my wife like 3 minutes to even see it, and my dad didnt even remember until I mentioned it to him. Once I redo my visors solid black it will be even less noticeable for me.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CD5SiRHero »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> yup I'd get dizzy looking up...great idea though.</TD></TR></TABLE>
In the pictures the colors do sort of blur together and mess with your eyes. I almost went with this skull pattern which would have matched better but Im glad I didnt.
I can see everyone in larger suv's and trucks staring because they can see it through my sunroof lol.
07-07-2008, 05:42 PM
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F++king A man! Looks awesome!
I just redid my headliner in some cameo. Redoing a headliner might be a small thing, but it does make a difference.
Modified by LSTeger at 10:35 PM 7/7/2008
I just redid my headliner in some cameo. Redoing a headliner might be a small thing, but it does make a difference.
Modified by LSTeger at 10:35 PM 7/7/2008
07-07-2008, 05:52 PM
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Re: (LSTeger)
Yeah it TOTALLY changes the whole feel of it, I love it. Out of all the things I have done to my car my wife said its her favorite to date.
My mother-in-lw and aunt want me to do theirs in a crazy pattern now too
My mother-in-lw and aunt want me to do theirs in a crazy pattern now too
07-07-2008, 08:11 PM
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Re: (Sniper1088)
Straight innovator... Ive seen this done before but that pattern actually looks pretty good!! im diggin it mang.. I dont know if i could find myself tearing all that apart though on my coupe..Id be afraid of forgetting how to put it all back..
Ive seen this done before but that pattern actually looks pretty good!! im diggin it mang.. I dont know if i could find myself tearing all that apart though on my coupe..Id be afraid of forgetting how to put it all back..
