Can I remove the sunroof without removing headliner?

[wareaglescott]

79 SC

I am in the process of tearing it down for a color change.
Sunroof operates great with no problems. Headliner in the car is very nice. If feasible I would like to complete the color change without removing the headliner. Feel like I at least need to get the roof panel out to get the seal out around it to get the car painted properly although I have not looked at it very carefully yet.
I tried searching on the forum but did not find what I was looking for.

Can I get the panel out without removing the headliner?
Or what is the best way about doing this to get it painted properly?

Thanks!

[quattrorunner]

Yes

[juanbenae]

you can remove the sunroof panel w/o removing the headliner. if for painting and you are looking to paint the areas of the lid at the perimeter of the opening im not sure how would you would accomplish this w/o removing the headliner.

you might consider posting in the body & paint forum here for clearer ideas.

[wareaglescott]

ok thanks. Good suggestion on the body and paint forum.

[s5uewf]

If it is the same as in my 1988, it is extremely straightforward: the interior sunroof ceiling panel pops off straight down, and this exposes the hardware that attaches the sunroof panel. Easy to remove at this point. I think also outlined in shop manual. Get some plastic interior trim tools (they come in a box from Pelican). Good luck.

[rattlsnak]

Literally a 10 minute job..

[wareaglescott]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

Literally a 10 minute job..

Perfect it should only take me 3 hours then. My learning curve seems pretty steep first time on all this stuff. haha

[kvdven]

Check this link - worked perfectly for me.

Sunroof cable repair and new seals 87 911

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

Literally a 10 minute job..

Originally Posted by wareaglescott

Perfect it should only take me 3 hours then. My learning curve seems pretty steep first time on all this stuff. haha

Even with my (lack of) skills, it was a sub 30-minute job to remove it the first time. Re-Installation isn't much more difficult. You might want to replace the two white plastic clips while you're there. Each side has broken on mine, jamming the sunroof open by a couple inches.

[wareaglescott]

Got it out no problem. Thanks for the tips everyone.
My 4 year old neighbor loves to come "help" when he sees me in the garage so it took a little longer than expected but we got it done and he was pretty proud.
His suggestion when I handed him the screwdriver was "why don't we get a hammer and bang it out". Haha The kid cracks me up.

[quattrorunner]

That’s fun. Cool kid.

[JuniorJenny]

Yes, move the sun roof panel back, start at the front and the upholstery panel will snap out. It is held in by metal clips that allow it to be removed in a downward direction and then slid out to the front

[AndrewCologne]

Excellent! :-D

[JuniorJenny]

Yes, move the sun roof panel back, start at the front and the upholstery panel will snap out whatsapp dp. It is held in by metal clips that allow it to be removed in a downward direction and then slid out to the front

[KTL]

Originally Posted by Noah930

You might want to replace the two white plastic clips while you're there. Each side has broken on mine, jamming the sunroof open by a couple inches.

Very good suggestion by Noah930 to replace these clips while you have the sunroof panel removed. My experience was one broken clip prevented the sunroof from completely closing/lifting up at the rear. I would need to press the switch a few times more to "help" the rear of the roof come up.

[wareaglescott]

Good tip on the clips. Thanks