4 Door Headliners - The Truth!

Fred · Aug 8, 2003

Had great fun removing the headliner from the four door car, according to Bently manual you have to take it out through rear window. Suggestions here that it might go out to front door, I rather fancied it would go out of the rear door..But I wasn't brave enough to bend it.
The answer is through the boot:-

Fred · Aug 8, 2003

But to make room

You have to remove one of the rear seat belt reel assemblies to make enough space to take it diagonally through the seat back space. Not too clear in photo, but you get the idea.

900power · Aug 8, 2003

Thanks alot, this will come in handy. I think I've read on this forum that someone broke their headliner in half removing it through the boot, but they repaired it or something.

Alex · Aug 8, 2003

Fred, with yours being a 4dr I don't think it would go through the front door anyway.

GregD · Aug 8, 2003

They come out through the trunk just fine w/o removing anything (except all the accumulated junk in the trunk). The speaker is what I ususally get a little snagged on. A second person is very helpful for a few moments w/sunroof cars as the headliner is very fragile in that region.

Saab, Bentley and everyone else should be kicked in the *** for publishing the procedures they did.

Matthew · Aug 8, 2003

From where did you buy the new headliner material Fred? What type of adhesive did you use?

Your post is well timed as I am considering replacing the headliner on my 2dr, but don't want to remove the rear windscreen or half the interior

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Fred · Aug 9, 2003

Matthew,
I used the spray adhesive and headliner kit that 'parts for Saabs' sell. As I did it on 'hottest day since records began' in Anglesey, I assume it's heat proof.
I notice that Elkparts no longer sell the self adhesive material.
Fred

Alex · Aug 9, 2003

Fred, are you going to try getting it back in through the door to see if you can prove/disprove that theory?

Fred · Aug 9, 2003

Alex,
Good thought, but funnily enough I put it back in through the boot.
Getting it out, I had all the seats out, but no joy. I measured the longest diagonals on the doors, you'd have to bend it on a four door. Widest part of liner is over the C pillars, whence that's free you're away.
Fred

heavy_t · Aug 10, 2003

I've still got this job to look forward to on my 99. With the boot lip being a bit higher I'm not too sure it will come out through the boot though :roll:

I've got a scan of a Saab service bulletin somewhere that dougsaab posted showing how to remove it through the front door. Seems to involve a lot of jiggling about!

Fred · Aug 10, 2003

Found it, very good links on 99/90 headliner are here http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11929
With pictures from the Saab Manual.

Matthew · Sep 11, 2003

Fred said:
The answer is through the boot

He's right! I removed my 2dr's headliner this evening ready for restoration. However, I think the 2dr's seatbelt reel is in a different place to the 4dr, and not easily removable.

Removal of the headliner was okay, but very tight initially when drawing it through the boot. I'll have to remove some stuff when I put it back, otherwise the new 'liner will be damaged.

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Matthew · Sep 11, 2003

<hijack>
Mmm this old foam's a bit difficult to remove isn't it? I'm using a small wire brush to scratch it off the headliner. Anyone got any tips?

Also: the foam is greasy (previous owner's scalp excretions yuck) and this has soaked into the liner itself (double yuck). How on Earth will the spray adhesive stick?
</hijack>

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kemosaabey · Sep 11, 2003

I used an old vacuum cleaner with upholstery attachment to scrape it all off, did it in no time with no mess

Matthew · Sep 19, 2003

Is there a difference between the 3dr/5dr and 2dr/4dr headliners? In other words, if I found a mint headlining in a 3dr at the scrapyard, would I be able to fit it into my 4dr?

I suspect not, due to parcel-shelf design and angle of the rear window, but need confirmation

EDIT: Taking my own advice and searching the forums, I found this post, which suggests that the 2dr/3dr 'liners are not the same:
http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=53355#53355

Any ideas?

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89Saab900Turbo · Sep 17, 2014

Foam under headliner on four door turbo?

I have an '89 four door 900T sedan with a sunroof. I'd like to refit the headliner myself (A "pro" quoted me at $600!), but I'm worried once I remove the old headliner, the old foam underneath will disentegrate. Can you buy old foam to put underneath the new headliner material? Do you need it? Any and all tips on sedan/saloon headliner replacement would be appreciated! Thanks!

Squaab99t · Sep 19, 2014

The headliner cloth comes with the foam attached to the face cloth. They have different thickness of foam and 1/8" is usually the normal replacement thickness. The last successful headliner replacement I did the removal and prep of headliner shell. The pro shop did the application of the cloth with the right type of adhesive that can handle the heat. I reinstalled and trimmed out the sunroof opening last. I also did the sail panels at the same time.
I removed the back parcel shelf to make taking the liner out the trunk easier. While I had it out I recovered that too with the proper " mole hair" fabric.

Jim Mesthene · Sep 19, 2014

It's really quite easy to take out the rear glass.

4 Door Headliners - The Truth!

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