MkIISuperSupra said:
I already figured out how to get the donor liner off, doing it your way. My issue is how to get it installed into my car. Have you actually reinstalled one just by jimmying it in?
Leslie,
Yeah, install is basically the reverse of removal. The trickest part here is getting that up-turned back edge into the track first. I've done that part from inside as well. If you look at the headliner you will notice it has a curve/bow built into it. You want to work with this bow, not against it. The headliner material is on the concave surface of this bow, so naturally you want to bend it in that direction. This mostly pertains to that up-turned area along the back edge, the flat surface can be bent more freely. Attempting to bow that back edge against it's natural shape could mean the risk of damage or breakage.
Install one of the edges of the headliner (entire edge, not just a corner) into the track, left or right side. Push on the headliner so it bows upwards towards the roof. You don't have to bow it all that much, just enough to allow the edge of the headliner to clear the track. Once the edge of the headliner has cleared the outer lip of the track you should be able to release it and have the edge of the headliner snap into the track.
Most likely all of the edge will not seat properly on the first try. It will probably be hung up on one or two of those black clamps on the edges of the headliner. This is where you step to the outside of the car and with one hand push down on the center, or off center and justified to the side which you are working on, of the headliner (from outside the car to bow the panel towards the interior), with the other hand work the edge of the headliner, will probably be one of the front corners, by pushing that area upwards.
Install, to me, always feels safer than removal. You don't have to worry about those black clamps catching on the tracks and ripping the headliner material. Just don't let frustration take over, that's when bad things occur.
Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Scott