Problems with headliner bows

fordgrl99 · 09-20-2007

Has anyone had any problems with the headliner bows 'flipping' upside down?? Way back when I used to drive the car as an everyday driver, the middle one did it all the time. My Dad thought it was because I had a 'hole' in the rear quarter panel and it was drawing air. Well, the car has since been restored - new headliner and the hole was repaired. Drove it for the first time 2 nights ago with just the front 2 windows down - no problems. Drove it home last night with all 4 windows down and every last bow flipped upside down on me!! I got 2 of them back upright, but the rear one came out of the slot on the passenger side. Now I can't seem to get it back in right (it's back in the slot, but the bow is still upside down!). Suggestions for fixing this WITHOUT tearing it all out?? I know - probably NO way, but I HATE the thought of having to tear it apart!

**EagleAutosports** · 09-20-2007

A hammer...

Hope you can get it without tearing it out. I'd help you if I was closer but...

fordgrl99 · 09-20-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by EagleAutosports

A hammer...

Hope you can get it without tearing it out. I'd help you if I was closer but...

Hey - it's the thought that counts!! And I may take you up on that hammer idea before it's all said and done! Seems everytime I get something fixed, 2 more things break - will I NEVER be done?!?

**EagleAutosports** · 09-20-2007

Honest answer? No you won't ever be done. And eventually that hammer might be used.

Cobra6 · 09-20-2007

I just put a headliner in a '66 coupe - I don't know why this would happen except ----

One of the headliner bows were "sprung" or.........
The headliner was not tight - did you remove the glass when it was installed? The headliner has to go under the rubber gaskets for the windshield and rear glass.
Did you have the windlace installed? I am not sure how air would get up under the headliner to make it drop.

I know that there is an opening at the quarter panel, but there should not be enough air to cause the headliner to drop.

Jaded · 09-20-2007

I wonder if you have an elongated hole on one side? That would allow the bow to slide forward a bit to flip over.

fordgrl99 · 09-21-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobra6

I just put a headliner in a '66 coupe - I don't know why this would happen except ----

One of the headliner bows were "sprung" or.........
The headliner was not tight - did you remove the glass when it was installed? The headliner has to go under the rubber gaskets for the windshield and rear glass.
Did you have the windlace installed? I am not sure how air would get up under the headliner to make it drop.

I know that there is an opening at the quarter panel, but there should not be enough air to cause the headliner to drop.

Yeah - the glass was removed (front and back), was pulled tight, windlace is installed along with all new seals, etc. It's frustrating.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaded

I wonder if you have an elongated hole on one side? That would allow the bow to slide forward a bit to flip over.

That's possible - it's been a couple years ago that we installed the new headliner and I can't really remember what the holes looked like then....

Cobra6 · 09-21-2007

If you cut holes for the bows in the headliner along the length of the cloth strip (like you fillet a fish) - the cuts will eventually elongate and the headliner will work loose and sag.

You need to cut holes for the bows across the strip so this won't happen - (if this is the case) - I really don't know what else would cause that.

The headliners are really a PITA to put in, especially on old coupes. I always work from the back, pulling and stretching as I move toward the front. On the front bow, I tie two wires to holes near the windshield frame, and twist them to tighten the whole headliner - that gets it good and tight.

nomechanic · 10-09-2007

when i put my headliner in i had the same problem my wife got on google and rec two dif opinions first was there should be small clamps that fit over the rod the other was some type of stap from the rear bow to the rear window i had niether so i opteded for the clamp and purchase small 3/16 metal cable hold down clamps from lowes used self taping screws to install. no mecanic