Hi.

I'm about to get the R-sport ready for paint, but I have to remove the inner roof lining (hope it spells correct).
Has anyone done this with succes?
Has anyone removed the inner roof and been able to install it again?

My problem is, that I can't seem to remove the metal bars going across the roof.
It seems there is no way they can be pushed to either side in order to remove them......

Am I doing anything wrong?

I'm looking for tips and tricks in order to remove the inner roof and be able to install it later on when the cas has been painted....

Regards.
Peter

Actually the job is not as daunting as you might think, having removed the plastic trims front, rear and sides if needed you pull down the edges of the lining to disengage the plastic strip (folded into the edge) from the metalwork - you can then see the flexible roof bows.
Start with the curved bow (centre) that fit into the brackets - push the bow up to disengage and "twist" over the roof channel. The other bows with the plastic protection sleeves need to be "bent" in the centre to disengage and spring out of position - it's easier to "see" how to do it than to describe. The roof bows are very flexible and won't be distorted by bending to remove them.
When refitting, to correctly tension the lining, "double fold" the edge of the lining around the plastic strip before engaging under the metal support.

Mac.

Generic video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1j8QbkHLZc

It's quite easy removing, it's all down to technique. Remove all the necessaries and start from the front and work back. Do as Mac says and pop/rotate each listing rod out of position. Don't mix the rods up, (they may be different lengths) and have lots of fun putting it back in again (lots of bulldog clips and patience to avoid creases!).

Here's a couple of pages from the Body manual:


Headling001 by macplaxton, on Flickr

Headling002 by macplaxton, on Flickr

Anyone got any tips on repairs? The saloon lining is glued onto the rear window and door seams and mine tore on disassembly, just small damage at the edge. Can it be repaired easily or do I need a professional?

Whilst the lining is out of the car repair the edges with ?iron on fabric tape? (The boss tells me you can get fabric reinforcing tape with heat activated glue).

Mac.

Hi all.

Thanks for the quick feedback.
I really appreciate it

I will give it a go later this week and let you know how it turnes out.

Have a nice day

Regards.
Peter

Hi all.

Here's an update of the removal of the headlining.

Tonight, I removed the headlining by following the guides and tricks I got from you guys, and it was quite easy when I did bend the bows.
It was great to get to the point of removing it

Have a great night.
Regards.
Peter

Thanks for the update.

Should the lining hoops above the windscreen all miss the wire? Mine seems to have come out of the factory with the outer most hoops on the wire so the wire can't be hooked the roof tabs.

Gentlemans, i have a small question: will the headliner from a 3 door fit into a sedan? Does it have the same length? Thank you.

I don't think so, the saloon goes down the rear quarters to the rear shelf and around the window seam, the hatchback just goes to the top of the tailgate and has plastic trim in those areas. So unless you can sew/glue these up, no.

Thanks Ride_on, I saw your reply after posting back in the summer but I forgot to take pictures and upload them. So, my sedan had a factory sunroof until I have decided that it has to come off - it was too rusted, and the previous owner of the car had broken some of the components. This year i saw in a auto scrap a 340 5 door, and this was my donor for the interior lining, and some other parts. Indeed, in the back/ on the C pillar i had to buy some black eco leather, and there is for sure room for improoving the way it looks.
All the best!