HOW TO: Remove the Headliner

kx · 05/13/2004, 09:42 PM

Presented to you by RL

How to remove your headliner (roof). You'll need a Phillips screwdriver and wrench, all the bolts are between 9mm and 17mm. I only show one side here but they're both the same. I also recommend keeping all your screws/bolts organized so you know what goes where when you put it back together.

I tried to make this as thorough as possible, but if there's any questions post 'em and I'll answer. And if anybody finds mistakes, post it so I can correct the instructions!

For reference, I have a 2000GT PP cali black/beige.

To remove the headliner you have to remove the A piller trim pieces, rear upper trim pieces, and a few plugs. The order doesn't really matter, but from now on I'm removing the easier stuff first.

Preremoval

You'll have to remove the rear side panels to be able to remove the rear upper trim pieces.

Step 1.

Remove three plugs at rear of headliner.

Step 2.

Unscrew and remove visors. If you have a sunroof, you can pull off the sunroof control switch too, or watch it fly off later when you pull off the headliner.

Step 3.

Next are the A pillar trim pieces. You can pull them right off, they are only held on by a few clips (circled below).

Step 4.

That takes care of the really easy stuff! Now just a tad bit more work to do the rear upper pieces (B/C pillar trim). Unscrew the three screws at the bottom and one for the coat hook (driver side only). Also, pop off the top of the seat belt height adjuster to reveal a bolt. Remove the bolt and move the seatbelt out of the way. When reinstalling later, the torque spec is 33+/-7 ftlb (44+/-10 Nm).

kx · 05/13/2004, 09:44 PM

Step 5.

Pull off the rear upper trim piece -- once again, it's a bunch of clips.

Step 6.

I think you can skip this step, but for completeness: Pulling off the trim piece should reveal the seatbelt height lock mechanism, with a bolt on each end. Remove these bolts and the whole piece. Again, the torque spec is 33+/-7 ftlb (44+/-10 Nm). I took a bad picture, so you only see the top bolt here... oooops!

Step 7.

Ok! Now the only thing holding on the headliner will be the weatherstripping on the sides and sunroof. So just pull the headliner off and you're done!

Now if you want to get down to more sheetmetal, there are a few more pieces you can easily take off, without getting into the sunroof assembly. Just remove the screws.

Reinstallation: Getting the weatherstripping back on can be tricky, helps if you have another pair of hands: one to hold the headliner up, one to fit the weatherstripping. Otherwise, just make sure you get stripping over all the panels too.

05/13/2004, 09:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
kx Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Pennsylvania Vehicle: '02 Ford Escape XLT Sport Posts: 3,165	HOW TO: Remove the Headliner Presented to you by RL How to remove your headliner (roof). You'll need a Phillips screwdriver and wrench, all the bolts are between 9mm and 17mm. I only show one side here but they're both the same. I also recommend keeping all your screws/bolts organized so you know what goes where when you put it back together. I tried to make this as thorough as possible, but if there's any questions post 'em and I'll answer. And if anybody finds mistakes, post it so I can correct the instructions! For reference, I have a 2000GT PP cali black/beige. To remove the headliner you have to remove the A piller trim pieces, rear upper trim pieces, and a few plugs. The order doesn't really matter, but from now on I'm removing the easier stuff first. Preremoval You'll have to remove the rear side panels to be able to remove the rear upper trim pieces. Step 1. Remove three plugs at rear of headliner. Step 2. Unscrew and remove visors. If you have a sunroof, you can pull off the sunroof control switch too, or watch it fly off later when you pull off the headliner. Step 3. Next are the A pillar trim pieces. You can pull them right off, they are only held on by a few clips (circled below). Step 4. That takes care of the really easy stuff! Now just a tad bit more work to do the rear upper pieces (B/C pillar trim). Unscrew the three screws at the bottom and one for the coat hook (driver side only). Also, pop off the top of the seat belt height adjuster to reveal a bolt. Remove the bolt and move the seatbelt out of the way. When reinstalling later, the torque spec is 33+/-7 ftlb (44+/-10 Nm).

05/13/2004, 09:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
kx Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Pennsylvania Vehicle: '02 Ford Escape XLT Sport Posts: 3,165	Step 5. Pull off the rear upper trim piece -- once again, it's a bunch of clips. Step 6. I think you can skip this step, but for completeness: Pulling off the trim piece should reveal the seatbelt height lock mechanism, with a bolt on each end. Remove these bolts and the whole piece. Again, the torque spec is 33+/-7 ftlb (44+/-10 Nm). I took a bad picture, so you only see the top bolt here... oooops! Step 7. Ok! Now the only thing holding on the headliner will be the weatherstripping on the sides and sunroof. So just pull the headliner off and you're done! Now if you want to get down to more sheetmetal, there are a few more pieces you can easily take off, without getting into the sunroof assembly. Just remove the screws. Reinstallation: Getting the weatherstripping back on can be tricky, helps if you have another pair of hands: one to hold the headliner up, one to fit the weatherstripping. Otherwise, just make sure you get stripping over all the panels too.