So if you have a convertible, you likely know all to well about the headliner where it attaches or does not attach around the rear window!
This on top of the rear window coming unglued, been fighting with that lately, so I decided to try to solve, understand why the headliner will not stay in the U channel around the rear window.
I know all about some special clips that are listed in a VW Technical Bulletin, however, I did not want to visit the dealer and order the parts, plus I really did not think the clips would fully resolve the problem.
I have fought with the rear headliner coming loose from the rear window many times over the 10 years of ownership.
So I checked out what was going on a bit further. What I found is the plastic ring that the headliner is connected to is too small in diameter. When you seat one side in the U groove, the ring is pulled loose from the opposite side.
So I decided to make a cut in the plastic ring at the 12 and 6 o`clock position. I now have 2 half moons that are not connected, the headliner can stretch a bit to allow the plastic to separate a bit. This will allow the plastic ring to fully seat in the U groove without pulling the opposite side!
I need to see how well this works over the next few weeks/months. If needed I may also make cuts at the 3 & 6 o`clock position to distribute the needed stretch a bit to more than just 2 places on the headliner.
If then I still have issues, I will look into the special clips, however, I do not think I will need them now that I can fully seat the plastic ring in the U channel around the inside of the rear window.
Will update results toward the end of the Summer with multiple top down days!
T
This on top of the rear window coming unglued, been fighting with that lately, so I decided to try to solve, understand why the headliner will not stay in the U channel around the rear window.
I know all about some special clips that are listed in a VW Technical Bulletin, however, I did not want to visit the dealer and order the parts, plus I really did not think the clips would fully resolve the problem.
I have fought with the rear headliner coming loose from the rear window many times over the 10 years of ownership.
So I checked out what was going on a bit further. What I found is the plastic ring that the headliner is connected to is too small in diameter. When you seat one side in the U groove, the ring is pulled loose from the opposite side.
So I decided to make a cut in the plastic ring at the 12 and 6 o`clock position. I now have 2 half moons that are not connected, the headliner can stretch a bit to allow the plastic to separate a bit. This will allow the plastic ring to fully seat in the U groove without pulling the opposite side!
I need to see how well this works over the next few weeks/months. If needed I may also make cuts at the 3 & 6 o`clock position to distribute the needed stretch a bit to more than just 2 places on the headliner.
If then I still have issues, I will look into the special clips, however, I do not think I will need them now that I can fully seat the plastic ring in the U channel around the inside of the rear window.
Will update results toward the end of the Summer with multiple top down days!
T