I recently replaced the headlining on my car with a new one from Headlining World. I have been struggling for a few weeks now to refit the sun visors. The problem is, when I screw in the two screws holding up the sun visor bracket into the roof and then clip in and screw up the plastic catch on the other end, they never line up and the end of the sun visor will not locate in the plastic catch. The sun visor seems to be around one centimeter too long! Does anyone have any ideas what the problem could be?

 

Unusual problem. The inner brackets are located directly into rectangular holes in the roof panel - so not much movement variation (I don't think it can be these).The outer bracket screws locate into double roof clips that can move around a little. The clip type is visible in far left and far right of image. Be very careful when forcing these clips because if they disengage, then they can fall into a void between panel skins - which goes down inside the A-Pillar....

 

Install this end first properly and check if another end still is issue.

 

Thanks for your suggestion. Do you have any idea how I could install this end differently? The holes in the metal roof line up perfectly with the holes in the roof lining and I've screwed the bracket directly into them. The bracket in this photo does not appear to be misaligned. The plastic cover is hanging loosely as I suspect I will have to take the visor off again. It does not affect the positioning or alignment.

 

Thanks for the photo. It's good to see what's behind the headlining without having to peer in with a torch. I had spotted the metal clips for the self tapping screws - in fact one fell off when I took the old heading down. I put it back in the correct place so that's not the source of the problem. Actually I have the same issue with both of the sun visors. I can't get either of them to clip in to the fitting at the end.

 

Here is video about X100 visors in general. Weird issue. I re-holstered my inner roof last winter and had no issues fitting visors back.

 

I recovered my header in 2013 and again last summer. I am baffled in that I do not see anything wrong with your installation. I am looking forward to someone discovering the missing puzzle piece / pieces!.

 

The clip looks to be at an odd angle. It should fit more snugly into the headlining and depress it slightly. From memory, this clip has a square 'peg' arrrangement at the back that is splayed when the retaining screw is inserted.

The pivot end looks fine.

If you look at PKWise's pic, you will see the square hole it fits into, with a depression around it.

Here's a pic of mine. It's possible to see the clip has sunk a short distance into the headliner:


must give that a clean next time I'm in there...

edit; Just a thought - the headliner backing should have a hole rather larger than the size of the 'peg', to allow the clip to snug down against the metal header rail behind. Is that the case on yours?

 

So am I! It's really annoying me

 

Thanks Michael, you may be on to something there. I think the plastic clip could be the culprit as the screw holes on the pivot end line up perfectly with the headlining and the holes in the metal roof. I had noticed the angle of the plastic clip and I know what is causing it. The hole in the headlining at this point does not align completely with the hole in the roof metal underneath. That is causing the clip to go in at a tilted angle and yes, it is being forced away from the contact bar on the sun visor. I find it hard to believe the hole in the headlining is in the wrong place but I suppose it's not impossible. I will try loosening the sun visors and see if I can move the headlining enough to center the hole in it with the square hole in the roof metal - but without taking the sun visors off. Your photo showing how the plastic clip should be sunk slightly into the headlining was an eye opener for me. I need to push it further in so that it sits straight. That should hopefully bring it into alignment with the contact bar on the sun visor. The only question is, will the hole in the headlining allow me to do that? I'll give it a try tomorrow. Thanks for your help!

 

Hopefully you will be able to juggle the headlining around enough to get everything to line up once the screws are loosened, if that doesn't compromise the pivot attachment, which looks just fine.

Failing that, you do have some latitude to enlarge the hole slightly as it will cover with the clip. It's entirely possible that the replacement board isn't formed exactly.

The last time I did this, the local car restorers said it was better to recover the original backing rather than use a pattern part as they had had fitting issues in the past, although I don't know where they sourced their replacements.

So, they re-covered the original backing, together with the A-pillar covers and parcel shelf while the car was in pieces. I'm very pleased with the result, although it was hideously expensive compared to a pattern part. I suspect it would have been about what Jaguar would have charged for a new OEM, had they still been available.

It's not a task you want to be doing too often

Good luck!

 

Mike:
I should have picked up on the clip being at an angle. (I will again use my eyesight as a crutch)
In fact, the first time I did mine, I had access to a laser and cut these steel clamping pads to use on those indents while the adhesive setup.

 

Curious:- so you did the re-covering of the fibreglass backing yourself?

Apologies Andy for the OT

 

Yes.
FWIW, here is a cut and paste of my notes:Take existing photos if necessary

overthick matl 3/16" standard is 1/8" (watch for grain direction if necessary)

use pool table to square up cloth, straight edge, perm marker, tri square

(2) Pillars 8" X 24"

(1) Header 13" X 60" (54" min width)

-- mag tray for hdwe

Rmv pillar covers with large screwdriver at 3 white dots on backside blk rubber weatherstrips(my cheat marks). My Passenger side sensor post is broken, be careful and elec conn , remove 1 sensor screw, washer only.

Rmv Header pull ovhd console straight down(old plastic brkt may break)---visors first small flat blade for screw covers (make sure the two overhead conn are in their holders before reassy)

rmv visor elec receptacles-use straight pick to unhinge scr covers, rmv scr each side.

pull header straight down at receptacles just far enough to disconnect visor elec conns

Remove old cloth

Rub off old foam by hand,or scrape

wet 25 sq in area / laquer thinner (work in small areas)

scrape glue while wet with knife blade--discard residue on blade

wipe with laquer thinner soaked rag

Use 3M headliner spray (do not 3M 77 or old spray

Try to avoid and watch out for possible adhesive strings wrapping around onto finished side (use fine sewing needle to pick off)

Do pillars first (know adhesive tack time)

lay cloth face down on clean surface

place pillar cover face up centered on cloth

spray cover only (min overspray may be on foam)

lay aside cover and spray the foam side of the cloth

(do not be concerned with wrap around at this time)

Pat cloth from center out (do not poke with finger)

cut margins and cut form darts (stop dart cuts before edge 1/8"-3/16")

spray (brush) wrap around (do not concentrate force on face side(ie finger poke))

Header

Mark centerline on foam side of fabric

remark ctrline of header if necessary

place header face up on covered sawhorses

center fabric atop header-foam side down

fold left side of matl back on right side being careful to keep location

spray left side of header (top face only--not side wraps yet)

spray mating foam

Do right side similarly

( Plastic clamps (4)laser cut visor pads (2 mounting plcs & 2 visor receptacles )

starting at ctr line, glue rear (top latch side)side wraps later

then in turn do front side wraps

cut margins and cut triangular form darts (stop dart cuts before edge 1/8"-3/16")

spray (brush) wrap around (do not concentrate force on face side(ie one fingertip))

use straight pick thru ctr all holes, 2 slots

use x-acto knive blade to cut "X" in holes slots

fully cut out airbag sensor hole

 

I finally managed to get the headlining up and it's looking great! I had to file out the driver's side hole in the head lining for the plastic sun visor clip to make it line up with the hole in the metal roof. I was able to get the map light up with a reassuring click by moving some thick wiring out of the way which had been stopping the clips from fully engaging.

 

Andy, glad it's back together OK
Mike, sorry that I did not pickup that we were talking coupes..
I have never done a coupe as in my area,, it was cheaper and better to pay a pro.. I think I paid $85 to redo a T Bird coupe in the late 80's!

 

Andy - glad you got there. It is a job.

LOL & I should have clicked that you would have a convertible. 15-All.