I have looked around for a while, but have yet to find a reliable source for how to remove the headliner of the RX-8. Feel free to flame me if there are links on this site I haven't read yet.

It is a 2005 OEM no sundroof. Any diagrams or simple directions on what comes out first would be great, I just don't want to break anything like the plastic panels trying to rip the liner out. Thanks in advance.

-R

 

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Partially peel back the seaming welt.
3. Remove the following parts:

1. Roof side trim.
2. Sunroof seaming welt (vehicles with sunroof)
3. A-pillar trim.
4. Rear seat.
5. Inner scuff plate.
6. Tire house trim.
7. Rear pillar trim.
8. Map light.
9. Interior light.
10. Sunvisor.
11. Assist handle.

1. Disconnect the roof wiring harness connector and remove the roof wiring harness connector clip from the body.
2. Remove the fasteners.
3. Detach the tab from the roof panel and remove the headliner.
4. Take the headliner out from the opened passenger-side door.
5. Install in the reverse order of removal.

 

Exactly how do you remove the a-pillar covers????? I dont want to pull too hard and break them.... Please elaborate.


Thanks in advance!

 

They clip in so start at one end and pry off. I recommend starting at the top of the a-pillar and working your way down.

 

Oh ok.. so u do pull... I was scared I would rip the thing off...
Thanks man for the Info!!!!

 

We really need to expand this thread, and move it to the DIY section? I tried to use just this, and it leaves quite a bit lacking in terms of directions. I'll start with a few questions. I'll add some instructions as I go through the rest of this tomorrow night. Right now I'm about halfway done, and I'm stuck.

DONE
Weather stripping - easy to remove and replace (Mazda did a great job on the weather stripping, here and in the trunk...)

Sun Visor - easy, 2 Philips head screws and a small wire clip

Rear column panels - easy, 1 bolt (underneath SRS Airbag cover) a few clips (pictured in post a few below)

Center light - no bolts, 2 clips similar removal to map lights

Map lights - plenty of posts on how to take these apart

Rear fasteners - easy to remove, just get plastic panel removal tool set or small flat blade screw driver

A pillars - see below, top one needs to be slid out of place once retracted. (pictured in post below)

Oh sh*t handle / passenger ceiling handle - This top 'cap' (one on each side of the handle) needs to be pried out. The center piece holds the two edges of the clips out. Once they are removed, the handle comes right off. (pictured in post a few below)

The clips for the sun visors - have clips like the sunglasses holder. Locate the clips, and press them toward the center from both sides, while both are depressed, pull down. (pictured below)

Don't forget the center ceiling clip, the whole headliner once free moves towards the rear to free the clip. (pictured below)

 

IIRC the top clip is a two stage clip, meaning that you pull on it to unlatch, then you slide it out of position. So pull towards you till it pops out a bit... then slide upwards.

 

^^

That's correct.
You should pull a bit upwards first to disengage the white plastic fastener from the cover (marked with the circle), then pop out the two lower fasteners.

See photo

 

Ahahahahaha! Thanks guys. I didn't seem to figure that out, I did get it out far enough to remove the headliner, but That will help a lot in the morning when I go to put my bluetooth in.

Added remainder of pictures from above.

 

lots of pulling. lots.
I did my headliner in black suede

 

That's not too much black? What did you do about the light fixtures/sunglasses holder?

Pics pls. I'm thinking about doing something like that. But I plan to pick something easier to clean.

 

used a special paint on the visors and made them black. My wrapped fixtures in CF. Still trying to figure out what to do about the handle. When I redo my seats I'll probably do the same fabric on the handle.

 

This is how my headliner looks like now....Not very hard to do just need patience when laying the fabric down so that you avoid and ripples/lumps





Danmn858 is a bit ahead of me as I have yet to decide what to do with my fixtures ect. I will prob end up blacking them out as well once I come back to working on my interior.

If I remember right this whole little project took one afternoon some 3M Spray Glue and a trip to a fabric store totaling around $50

I have my B-Pillars done as well