My '86 interior is nearly perfect except for one problem, the headliner on the sunroof is coming loose. the rest of the headiner is fine. From what i've read, headliner replacement is a lot of work. i was wondering if there's any way to replace just the headliner for the sunroof without removing the entire car headliner. if that portion can be pulled off the sunroof and repaced, i'd be Very Happy!!!

Yes it can be replaced seperately. You may have to remove the sunroof it self. next problem is can you re-use the existing panel, or do you need a new one and where to get a match.. The frame work that the sunroof upholstery is glued to snaps out from the sun roof. if you are real careful you may be able to pull it with the sunroof in the raised position. But that is very iffy

We replaced the headliner recently on a m6.It was a lot of work even though the car was fully stripped out.The material used is very difficuilt to work with due to its thickness and the fact it has a lot of tight curves to go around.The material breaks down with age and goes powdery and comes apart.You will probably find that you will end up replacing the headliner as well as the sunroof panel covering as it will look odd against the new.You will be amazed at the difference in colour between new and old.We destroyed one headlining trying to fit it so I would suggest you get a professional in to do it.Also when we done it the only way to get the material for the sunroof panel was to buy yet another headliner and cut it down as there is not enough material from the original headliner to cover the sunroof panel and BMW don't supply seperate material to do the sunroof.Be very sure you want to go ahead with it as it will get very expensive.

Yes you can remove just the Sunroof Insert without having to remove the headliner board or the whole sunroof assembly.

1) Open the sunroof half way
2) Sit backwards in your front seats with your knees in the bottom of the front cushions, so that your Head is looking through the Opening of the sunroof toward the back of the car.
3) Look between the Sunroof Outer Panel and the Inner Sunroof Insert and you will find towards the outer corners (2) Plastic Clips that look like a (Y)
4) Press firmly on both the (Y) Clips pushing towards the rear of the car; The (Y) Clips are wrapped around a Post which is part of the Outer Sunroof panel which holds the Inner Insert in position.
5) Once released just leave the inner panel alone and close your sunroof back to its neutral position, now open your Sunroof to the Vent position where it pops up in the rear.
6) From the inside of the car carefully move the inner panel forward ever so carefully NOT to re-clip the (Y) Clips back on the Post
7) From the inside of the car, Lift up on the back of the inner sunroof panel and push it through the rear opening of the sunroof and remove the panel out the car.

Bill

thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouth ankyou!!!!!!
the procedures i've seen before all involve removing the entire headliner, which they say requires removing the rear window!!!. of course that would open an entire new can of worms better left alone. my headliner is in good condition, it's just come unglued from the sunroof panel. I've thought of getting a perforated vinyl in grey to match the fabric, but i think i'll just clean, re-foam and re-glue the oem.

If it is still ,good, it will install (glue) real easy!!

Snip

the procedures i've seen before all involve removing the entire headliner, which they say requires removing the rear window!!!.

Snip

Thats because all of the do-it-your-selfers dont know how to do the job correctly, their teaching you what they have been tought or what they have found that work for them.

Even for removing the Headliner Board you will "not need to remove the Rear Window"

I can walk you through How to on your BMW, This is what we do full time for a Living is Headliner & Sunroof Repair on BMW's here in Central Florida.

We even have the OEM Foam Back Cloth instock too. Bill

I recently replaced my headliner, complete. The price was very resonable, $350 complete. The material used was from a GM headliner catalog which was VGERY close to my original in a 1985 Euro M635. Not to disagree with a fellow board member (headlinerexpress) but there is no way to do the job correctly without removing the rear window. The new headliner glues in all around the edges of the window opening, overlapping the edge of the roof sheet metal. We did mine by easily removing the rear window and trim in one piece. Then I cleaned the rubber seal =, sprayed it with a small amount of silicon spray and wiped it clean again. Reinstall was very easy. A nylon cord all around the rubber seal in the glass grove and set the window in place. Simple pulling the cord while someone else gave a little pressure from the outside and the window was in in about 5 minutes. The headliner is now tight and properly tucked in under the window seal. From my experience, the rear window and entire sunrood cartridge must be removed for a factory look installation.

Your Correct

Yes on a E24 you do need to remove the Rear Window & Seal, 633 635 dont have Headliner Boards. My Mistake. I was thinking of another model.

Fortunately my headliner is fine. it's just the sunroof part that's a problem. So does the sunroof liner procedure listed still apply?