Technical - Convertible Top is Hard to Close (Replace Headliner)

Some customers may comment that the convertible top is hard to close.

The headliner may be too short.

Replace the headliner following the procedure below.

1. Deactivate the folding top by rotating the shut-off valve. The valve is mounted in the rear compartment on the left side.
2. Remove the right and the left elastic straps attaching the rear of the headliner to the rear compartment.
3. Remove the right and the left elastic straps mounted between the #3 and #4 roof bows.
4. Unsnap the right and the left elastic straps from the headliner to the front side rail links.
5. Lower the rear seat back.
6. Remove the right and the left front cargo area trim panels.
7. Remove the rear speakers.
8. Disconnect the rear speakers.
9. Close the folding top halfway.
10. Mark the location of the folding top pivot bracket.



11. Loosen the folding top pivot bracket nuts. Refer to the illustration above.
12. Slide the pivot bracket outward.
13. Close the folding top.

Important: Take care not to damage the push-in retainers during retainer removal.

14. Remove the right and the left elastic strap from the headliner side curtains to the #4 roof bow links.
15. Remove the side rail weatherstrips.
16. Remove the side rail weatherstrip mounting channels.
17. Remove the side rail interior trim panels.
18. Remove the headliner front garnish molding from the folding top roof bow #1.
19. Remove the headliner front mounting screws.
20. Open the folding top halfway.
21. Remove the headliner from the #2 and the #3 roof bows.
22. Remove the headliner from the rear window.
23. Clean the adhesive surface of the #1 bow.
24. Attach the headliner to the rear window.
25. Attach the headliner to the #3 and the #2 roof bows.
26. Apply adhesive to the #1 roof bow.
27. Attach the headliner to the folding top roof bow #1.
28. Install the headliner front mounting screws.
29. Install the headliner front garnish molding to the #1 roof bow.
30. Install the side rail interior trim panels.
31. Apply adhesive to the back side of the side rail weatherstrip mounting channels.
32. Install the side rail weatherstrip mounting channels.
33. Install the side rail weatherstrips.
34. Close the folding top.
35. Install the right and the left elastic straps from the front of the headliner side curtains to the #4 roof bow links.
36. Reposition the pivot bracket to the original location.
37. Tighten the bottom two pivot bracket mounting bolts.
38. Open the folding top halfway.
39. Install the right and the left elastic strap to the #3 roof bow only.
40. Snap the right and the left elastic strap from the headliner to the front side rail links.
41. Install the right and the left elastic straps from the rear of the headliner to the rear compartment.
42. Install the right and the left elastic straps mounted between the #3 and the #4 roof bows in #4.
43. Open the folding top.
44. Tighten the pivot bracket top mounting nuts.
45. Connect and install the rear speakers.
46. Install the front cargo area trim panels.
47. Activate the folding top by rotating the shut-off valve. The valve is mounted in the rear compartment on the left side.

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use: