[BusRider]

Hi everyone -- stared the task of partially removing the headliner from the rear and sides of the car to replace the antenna base on my B5 1.8T sedan. I've removed the bolts that hold the headliner in place on the left side of the car, both front and rear, and also removed the trim pieces on the center and rear pillars (again, left side). The left door gaskets have also been partially removed.

My hands and arms are too large to fit through the gap on left side without damaging things, so I'm resigned to the task of unhooking the headliner from the rear of the car. My problem is that the headliner material is not as flexible as it once use to be 18 years ago (or claims of such), and that each attempt at "pulling it down" only appears to separate the fabric from the backing board.

I have a paint can lid opener to help lever the headliner off of the edge it is attached to, but I don't seem to be flexing the hook so much as removing or scraping material.

Has anyone attempted this project recently? If so, what tools did you use to minimize damage while removing the headliner from the rear mounting edge?

 

[BusRider]

Has anyone attempted this project recently? If so, what tools did you use to minimize damage while removing the headliner from the rear mounting edge?

I was able to fabricate a small tool from a coat hanger so that it grips better than the paint can lid opener.

With this tool, I could flex the hook part of the headliner enough to work off of its rim. Once about 20-25% of the headliner is off of the rim, you can use your hands to continue to remove it, without the need for a tool. Some of the fabric will likely separate from the headliner board along its edge, but that's easy to mend with wood glue.

On a side note, I haven't fully re-attached the headliner to the rim yet as the antenna base I bought was counterfeit. eBay listing stated it was amplified, but upon hookup, AM reception was poorer than with the old unit. I opened it up and found this:

In case you're wondering, there is supposed to be an amplification circuit in there, as shown in this post.

http://www.passatworld.com/forums/mobile-electronics/342471-roof-antenna-what-buy.html#post2844912