Anyone removed Headliner in 2001 Forester?

[Tonyp5143]

I do not llike the wind noise I hear insode my 2001 Forester with the roof basket mounted while driving on the highway. I have some sound deadening material that I would like to install under the roof panel. Also, I have a roof rail that is a little loose that I would like to tighten.

Anyone removed the headliner and would like to share some tips?

Thanks,

Tony P

[gbhrps]

Tonyp5143,

 

I've had the complete sunroof assembly out of one of my OBW's about 10 years ago, and they are all the same.

 

First keep your hands clean, as trying to clean the headliner will leave marks in the knap that will show up.

 

Remove the headrests front and rear, the assist straps, sunvisors, rear view mirror, and pry out each of the lenses of the overhead lights. Underneath the lenses will be one or two screws that need removing. Pull down the light assemblies and disconnect their wiring harnesses. Pull the weatherstripping around each door opening down from the top of the door to about midway and let hang (no need to remove completely.)

 

Where the cargo cover clips over the rear wheel wells, remove the screws on the clips, and at the rear tailgate opening, if any exist there. Pull the A, B, and C pillar moldings. Gently and firmly pull eaqh of them straight out to unclip them. Once the B pillar has been pulled, reach in behind and unbolt the upper front seat belt anchor using a 55 Torx bit.

 

You can remove the entire B pillar, but you should be able to sneak the headliner past them without doing so. Pull the top ceiling molding at the tailgate, You can pull up the rear floor snap panels, remove the 10 mm nuts and screws holding the C pillar and wheel well covers, or just pull the top of those panels enough to work the headliner out in a few more steps.

 

If you have a sunroof, pull the molding that wraps around the sunroof opening.

 

At the rear, open the roof anchor points for the rear seat belts, remove the screws and pop out the moldings. At this point, pull straight down on all of the plastic plugs in the headliner. If you have a sunroof, there may be velcro like plastic fasteners along the rear edge of the sunroof opening that will require a downward tug to release. Drop the headliner down on top of the seats and take it out the tailgate.

 

None of this is hard, just time consumming, one of the reasons that sunroof repairs are so costly.

 

To reinstall the headliner is the reverse. Be carefull reinstalling the A, B, and C pillar moldings. Ensure that the pins are properly aligned in the openings in the metalwork before you strike them back into place with the palm of your hand. Its very easy to break the fasteners otherwise. Good Luck!

[Tonyp5143]

gbhrps,

 Thanks for the AWESOME detailed response!

I have never removed a headliner but with you info I think I can do it.

Do you think that there will be bare metal under the roof for me to stick these sound deadener panels from Dynomat? While I am tighening the loose roof rack I want to make the car a littl quieter.

thanks again!

TOny P

[gbhrps]

tonyp5143,

 

You should be able to cover quite a large surface area with Dynomat, but may have to piece it in places where roof structures and bracing will be in the way. I'd suggest not buying the silencer material until after you have the headliner down, and see what you are up against. If you have a sunroof, there may be interference issues with the Dynomat in spots.

[dfoyl]

Here's a photo of the underside from a 1998 SF Forester. As gbhrps says, you will need to shape it around the roof braces.

 

Edited November 30, 2014 by dfoyl

[Tonyp5143]

Thank is great dfoyl, I'm gonna need to order more material!

tony p

[dfoyl]

 

No worries, let me know if you want dimensions before I chop this one up.

[Tonyp5143]

I don't need measurements, to be honest I am shocked that there was NO sound deadening material at all on the roof! No wonder I hear wind noise!

Thanks so much for the help. I may also, put a bit of fiberglass insulation up there !

Tony P