Roof lining removal - how to?

[john h]

Hi

I probably need to remove or partially drop the roof lining from my 164 for restoration work around the rear screen.

Anybody know how it's fitted? There is nothing obviously holding it in place, but it seems very secure and I don't want to force it.

1973 car, by the way.

Thanks for any assistance

John

[laptoprob]

Hi John, be very gentle and careful. Clean hands. The lining is just a little flexible, elastic. You must try to pry a piece out of the metal clamp above.
The vinyl-like material is strengthened with a rigid black strip along the edges, which is above the ceiling part itself. The black strip goes all around. The ceiling material is curved around a thin metal edge, the black strip is above that. Along a long side (the side part is longest), you can try to get the black part out. There are soft aluminium strips above, keeping the ceiling stretched. These are connected to the ceiling a few centimeters from the side.
When you have the first stretch of black strip out, you're almost there. Then the black strip gets more room and comes out easily.

Sorry, no pics.

[john h]

Originally Posted by laptoprob

Hi John, be very gentle and careful. Clean hands. The lining is just a little flexible, elastic. You must try to pry a piece out of the metal clamp above.
The vinyl-like material is strengthened with a rigid black strip along the edges, which is above the ceiling part itself. The black strip goes all around. The ceiling material is curved around a thin metal edge, the black strip is above that. Along a long side (the side part is longest), you can try to get the black part out. There are soft aluminium strips above, keeping the ceiling stretched. These are connected to the ceiling a few centimeters from the side.
When you have the first stretch of black strip out, you're almost there. Then the black strip gets more room and comes out easily.

Sorry, no pics.

Thanks. What actually holds it in place? Are there any brackets/fitings or is it just the spring pressure from the perimeter strip holding it into the clamp?

John

[laptoprob]

It's just the spring pressure, John. I think it's a plastic strip curved around the corners.

[ian.stone]

Hi John,

You might find it’s easier to trash the old one and make a new one. I did this with my 144 which also has a sun roof. The spring crass braces are in pockets which are welded on. My wife sewed some one for me. It gave a much better job.

[john h]

Originally Posted by ian.stone

Hi John,

You might find it’s easier to trash the old one and make a new one. I did this with my 144 which also has a sun roof. The spring crass braces are in pockets which are welded on. My wife sewed some one for me. It gave a much better job.

Thanks for that, but actually my roofliner is in excellent condition. I was hoping to leave it undisturbed, but I needed to drop the rear section for access for my rust repairs.

Incidentally, did you remove the sunroof panel on yours? I want to fit a new edge seal and, as yet, I haven't figured out how to do that.

Cheers

John

[Lesky]

Hi John,

The resto is looking superb, by the way! I have a Volvo manual for my '73 164 and it has a section on how to remove the roof liner if you haven't done so already. I can scan it and send it to you as a PDF. PM me with your email.

In my 164, there are two push-in anchors in the back that hold the roof liner up, but my 164 does not have a sunroof. My book also cover those that do have a sunroof.

[john h]

Originally Posted by Lesky

Hi John,

The resto is looking superb, by the way! I have a Volvo manual for my '73 164 and it has a section on how to remove the roof liner if you haven't done so already. I can scan it and send it to you as a PDF. PM me with your email.

In my 164, there are two push-in anchors in the back that hold the roof liner up, but my 164 does not have a sunroof. My book also cover those that do have a sunroof.

Thanks for the offer, but I'm OK now.

Cheers

John