Headliner Removal

[brian4t]

How bad is it? There is a broken clip (or plastic piece) rolling around near the back seat or rear of my 4runner. I have listened to it for 6 months but now it's starting to literally drive me crazy. Every time I take a corner it rolls from left to right or visa versa. Removed the plastic rear piece and dome light for limited access but can't see anything. There is no other option but to remove the piece rattling. Is there any easy way to just partially remove the headline in order to retrieve the broken plastic piece? Anyone had his problem with a better solution? Could be it coming from somewhere other than the headliner?

 

[98OzarksRunner]

If you pull off the trim along the side (above the doors) you can probably pull the headliner down enough to reach in and get the piece (if it's in the neighborhood). I pulled mine down about 3" or so to run some wiring.

 

[brian4t]

If you pull off the trim along the side (above the doors) you can probably pull the headliner down enough to reach in and get the piece (if it's in the neighborhood). I pulled mine down about 3" or so to run some wiring.

Ok, is it more likely for the piece to be metal or plastic in regards to the materials used up there? If I'm understanding if I remove the 4 headliner clips in the rear center, and maybe one side of the paneling above the door I can access under the headliner enough to remove the piece?

 

[98OzarksRunner]

If it is over the back seat, you could probably just take the screws out of the handle over the door(s), maybe pull out the side piece in the cargo bay (if necessary), and pull down the headliner above the door (the back passenger door, not the tailgate). I'm assuming (from what you described) you can get to it by pulling down one side of the headliner (driver or passenger side).

 

[theizzardking]

Just turn the 4Runner upside down and shake it until the part falls back out

dam that sucks buddy, nothing more annoying than the little things like that, maybe you can just try to locate the clip before you pull the liner, as in go around a corner to make sure it's on the right side and at the back or whatever and then try only pulling down a corner of the liner to get at it, it seems that it's actually pretty easy to just get at the edges, I've never done any more than that so can't be of much help. can you feel it in the headliner when you push around on it? really your best bet is to locate the clip first and then try to get it out to the sides unless you want to drop the whole thing.

for what it's worth here's a brief write up of head liner removal
Sound Deadening Your 4Runner - Part 2 - Headliner

taken from another thread about the head liner.

Lol, They are a pain in the ass to get out and an even more pain in the ass to get back in.. I would really reconsider how bad you want a black headliner

 

[brian4t]

Solved!

As it turns out (after removing all the side panels and searching under the headliner) a squirrel berried a nut under the rear access panel to drop the fuel tank. I pulled the rear panel under the carpet (and tailgate) and found a black access cover. I pulled it up and found the darn nut. What a PITA! At least I have my sanity back.....:beer: