sunroof and a ripped headliner

[harv666]

Anyone have any tips for opening the zipper on an already dry and ripped headliner to try and fix the sunroof, somethings slipped off, it starts to move then stops then goes one edge at a time. But if its going to take ripping my headliner not sure its worth trying to operate on it, is it hard to get to one the zipper is open?

[EC900]

Key to opening any jammed zipper is having the zipper as straight and taut as possible, plus having a good grip in that tiny tab. Loose fabric on anything will affect zipper operation - look a a fleece jacket and you will be able to closely see the operation of nylon zipper.

My headliner was replaced years ago and is now a nylon variety, these are much more prone to going off track when zipper sides don’t align well with loose fabric. I don’t know if yours is nylon or metal and exactly where your headliner fabric is torn or if the zipper seam or fabric and stitching is tattered. Nylon can be easy to get working again but deforms easier when too much force is used…then there’s your torn fabric.
It might be either there’s some loose threads in the zipper path causing it to jump track or it needs a little lube to free up any corrosion if the zipper it metal.

Getting your zipper to move will have to be a delicate process. This could be a three-hand operation.
You need to hold the headliner fabric tight, level and straight with one hand, sort of pinching between both sides of the zipper halves on the R side or where zipper starts, pulling the fabric in opposite direction of zipper movement, next use pliers to tug on the zipper tab gently, evenly. If it’s started and as you say “slipped off” one side…you’ll need to pull that slack off backwards to straight it out.
Keep the zipper straight and taut and work the tab back and forth, a little silicone on the zipper tracks might make this easier. The backseat is an awkward position.

Using a small (blunt) end locking clamp or hemostatic forceps (with padding) to pinch together the fabric could alleviate any further tearing of the headliner (if tear is near the zipper closure end tab) then you can use both hands to manipulate the zipper. There’s not much slack in my headliner to accomplish a demo, and it looks like the weakest part of the headliner is where the zipper starts (driver side) and begins to curve down - so care must be taken to prevent too much stress on the fabric.
A curved upholstery needle can fix the headliner tears in place, but that’s a special talent.
Post a picture and maybe it can clarify your headliner/zipper condition.

[harv666]

I will take a pic, thanks. It's near the zipper start as you suggested so I just don't want to make it worse as I know thats not a job for the faint of heart...... do you know which side the sunroof motor is on? passenger side?

Originally Posted by EC900

Key to opening any jammed zipper is having the zipper as straight and taut as possible, plus having a good grip in that tiny tab. Loose fabric on anything will affect zipper operation - look a a fleece jacket and you will be able to closely see the operation of nylon zipper.

My headliner was replaced years ago and is now a nylon variety, these are much more prone to going off track when zipper sides don’t align well with loose fabric. I don’t know if yours is nylon or metal and exactly where your headliner fabric is torn or if the zipper seam or fabric and stitching is tattered. Nylon can be easy to get working again but deforms easier when too much force is used…then there’s your torn fabric.
It might be either there’s some loose threads in the zipper path causing it to jump track or it needs a little lube to free up any corrosion if the zipper it metal.

Getting your zipper to move will have to be a delicate process. This could be a three-hand operation.
You need to hold the headliner fabric tight, level and straight with one hand, sort of pinching between both sides of the zipper halves on the R side or where zipper starts, pulling the fabric in opposite direction of zipper movement, next use pliers to tug on the zipper tab gently, evenly. If it’s started and as you say “slipped off” one side…you’ll need to pull that slack off backwards to straight it out.
Keep the zipper straight and taut and work the tab back and forth, a little silicone on the zipper tracks might make this easier. The backseat is an awkward position.

Using a small (blunt) end locking clamp or hemostatic forceps (with padding) to pinch together the fabric could alleviate any further tearing of the headliner (if tear is near the zipper closure end tab) then you can use both hands to manipulate the zipper. There’s not much slack in my headliner to accomplish a demo, and it looks like the weakest part of the headliner is where the zipper starts (driver side) and begins to curve down - so care must be taken to prevent too much stress on the fabric.
A curved upholstery needle can fix the headliner tears in place, but that’s a special talent.
Post a picture and maybe it can clarify your headliner/zipper condition.

[RobFrost]

What's up with the sunroof? What year and model?

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