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Is there any 'trick' to the final step of headliner removal for a W211 with panoramic roof?
I have followed the instructions (great pdf's here) and removed all attached items first (front dome & mirror, sunvisors, grab handles, A/B/C pillar trims, centre light/mount).
Now when I try to "slide the headliner back" , it doesn't budge. It feels like the rear part behind the 2nd glass panel is still attached - I can see there are these clips as below, but they just dont move.
I have never taken the headliner off the car, but I had to drop down the front part to repair the motor.
I recall there were bolts in the middle section after you remove the center panel and center side lamps. Did you already remove them?
Then, you try sliding it back from the opening where the motors and dome light are and try to drop it a bit. It should fall a bit. That is the only way to remove the motor bolts, so I did get that far.
Thanks for your reply! Yes, I've removed the bolts in the middle section. The headlining is kinda loose at the front, but wont slide or wriggle rearwards. :/
Hi guys, alright I figured it out - basically just two small pieces of velcro are attached at the far back part of the headliner either side of the reverse sensor light unit. This was different to the instructions, but my car is a late 2007 so perhaps they updated the design.
I've now completed the fix and happy to report absolutely NO noises from the panoramic roof now, good as new.
For future reference below...
Penultimate step of removing headliner is pulling down on the lining at the very back so these two velcro pieces detach. I used fingers to feel around for them. A quick 'tug' at the correct location is better than gently-gently.
Culprit #1, the bolts along each side of the panoramic roof rails become loose over time. This picture shows the main two which were loose on mine, however best to go around the whole lot and tighten as much as you can. I've seen some people use locktite, I opted not to, we shall see if just tightening them lasts.
In addition to tightening all the bolts, I used a length of foam along the length of the metal channel in case of any contact rattles here.
Culprit #2, there is this small felt covered part which sits against the headlining. This is no doubt the cause of the loud 'clunks' over bumps, as the felt has worn down and now it's metal on metal.
Culprit #2 on the headliner side - here you can see visible marks where the top part had been hitting. I used some sticky-backed foam on this part to suppress the noise.
I am still trying to remove the Headliner on my 2007 W211 E63 and it appears that, after removing everything else except the Rear Wiring as yet, it’s seemingly Bonded in 2 places:
1. Above the front edge of the Front Sunroof Opening-when manually opening the Sunroof, from above one can clearly see the Headliner has a metal edge lip that suspends its weight across the entire length of the front inner Edge of the Panoramic Front Opening.
2. Similar idea but only above the Rearmost inner edge, that you can’t see due to the inability to retract that part of the roof!
I too managed to release the Velcro, but both front and rear sides seem to be “fused” with their respective upper contact to the Pano Roof? The WIS also shows a Blow-Up Pic of a CLIP that appears on the Top Side, with no indication to its location other than being in the rear, with mention of the need to pull rearward, but with both sides “Fused” I can’t figure how to get this Mother OUT!
I am still trying to remove the Headliner on my 2007 W211 E63 and it appears that, after removing everything else except the Rear Wiring as yet, it’s seemingly Bonded in 2 places:
1. Above the front edge of the Front Sunroof Opening-when manually opening the Sunroof, from above one can clearly see the Headliner has a metal edge lip that suspends its weight across the entire length of the front inner Edge of the Panoramic Front Opening.
2. Similar idea but only above the Rearmost inner edge, that you can’t see due to the inability to retract that part of the roof!
I too managed to release the Velcro, but both front and rear sides seem to be “fused” with their respective upper contact to the Pano Roof? The WIS also shows a Blow-Up Pic of a CLIP that appears on the Top Side, with no indication to its location other than being in the rear, with mention of the need to pull rearward, but with both sides “Fused” I can’t figure how to get this Mother OUT!
Did you remove the lamp on the headliner between front and rear seats. If I recall correctly there are 3 bolts. W/o those out the headliner will never slide back
Yes, I did remove those 3 bolts in the mid section, however the upper edges of the Headliner I mentioned in my previous post are “Fused” with the Pano-roof?
Yes, I did remove those 3 bolts in the mid section, however the upper edges of the Headliner I mentioned in my previous post are “Fused” with the Pano-roof?
The edges of the headliner are C-shaped so they slide on the metal frame. Careful you break the headliner skeleton.
It is a faint memory. I did it 3 years ago. Let me search for images to recall the details
Take a look at this video. Not exactly yours, but MB after all
I really appreciate it man as I am stumped, and have already Cut Out both A Pillars and the Bottom side of the Windshield. I have to remove the Pano Wind Shield in order to Cut out the Top part of the Windshield, but I kinda want to figure the way to get the HL out first, as I have new Alcanterra Material to be installed onto it! Then I can proceed to remove the Rear Windshield OEM Tint and replace with UV Rated Tint, as well as the Back Stereo Deck to hold all my equipment, as well as all door panels, floor, Seats, new speakers, etc!
My Headliner has the Sun Shield Roll-up Electric Button Winded Liner, unlike your plastic Manual Slide Liner. As such, the front edge of my Headliner looks like it “attaches” by resting a prominent edge all along that front edge of the Pano Roof as you look down from the roof above. That would explain its being solidly connected up front. This would require to move the Headliner rearward in order for that front edge to clear and then be able to lower. However, there remains the rear (Also the same Button Winded Roll Up Liner) that similarly seemingly has the rear material that appears to be perhaps Glued to that rear-most edge. The problem there is I can only get a mini mirror up there with a Headlamp on to get any sort of “view”. My guess is that I may have to somehow Cut this rear Material in order to Drop the Rear enough to then release the rear-most Metal Clip, then Pull Rearward both to Release that Clip while simultaneously releasing the Front Edge! But what a dam Dice Roll that is!! Anyone else with experience with their Pano-Roof Headliner that could lend some Advice would be appreciated!
Ok, I finally was able to drop the Panoramic Headliner in my 2007 W211 E63 by using a Screwdriver and prying that front Sun View Lip by first opening the Sunroof manually with a Hex Bit to wind the Motor. Then from above I started at the passenger Side front Corner and got that front edge out then used one of many plastic wedges I have to keep the edge from popping back into place. I did this to the midpoint and then while holding the middle wedge, I then reached across to the far corner, put the flathead there and gave it a twist and voila! The front edge dropped! By prying that edge back, it essentially moves that whole HL back now more prominently positioned on its rear edge (see my pic of that edge below). So be aware that the Headliner is completely suspended by its rear edge and, once you pull forward to dislodge it off of its rear most edge, it will drop, so be prepared for this!
This is a shot of the HL Rear Sun View Edge I took with my boroscope/ipad combo. When you pry away the front, this pic shows how much it can actually slide back, as this shot was taken while the front edge was untouched as I mulled over how exactly to get the HL removed! After prying the front edge and then pulling it forward, the whole HL dropped just so! This is a shot of the front sun roof edge that upon installation again, would be the 2cnd to last to be attached, with the rear edge being 1st. This is the way more prominent Rear Edge of the HL which would be attached first upon installation. Notice my finger here and in the next pic where this edge actually attaches to! This is the part of the PanoRoof which that rear edge suspends from. These are the 2 Velcro Tabs which must be unattached 1st and subsequently reattached last. These are the corresponding Velcro Tabs located on the HL This is a close up of the Roller Blinds. This is the Reciprocal Cutting Tool I used whilst cutting out the Windshield. I masked off all surrounding sides with 2 layers of Masking tape and the 2 layers of Aluminum Tape to Guard against any damage that may result from the bit getting away from me! Close up of the bit used as well my use of Aluminum Tape along the edges! When you cut, I would suggest making sure to cut as close to the glass as you can as the alternative is to destroy paint! Ask me how I know! Also, my 1st attempt was with the “battery” version of this tool. I got 3/4 they way around using that, but the Batteries didn’t have power to get through the top section so I bought the less expensive 4Amp Corded version to finish. TIP=use the fastest/highest speed when cutting! If you think you need to slow down, think again because when go lower power whilst still applying force to cut, the vibration of the slower speed will cause the Cutting Bit to Break! I broke 2 of 2 that I had of this “hook” type, which definitely was the best Bit. For Corner areas where the tool will be to thick to fit between/around the front quarter panels etc., then you must break out the Cutting Wire. In fact, when using that “hook” bit, there were areas where I had removed the tool and then Reinserted it not exactly where I left off. This resulted in areas of the Sealant that were left stuck to the glass side as well as well as the car side. So this Cutting Wire was useful in those areas too. In fact, I ended up going all the way around with this wire just to make sure all was actually disconnected!
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great to hear.
