Rack install gone awry. Help!

[ucs308]

i am installing a rack for my new 2014 TE. Long story short I had to remove and replace the rack supports a few times. This last time I went to put the bolts in there was nothing for them to screw into. If I tap the headliner on the inside something bounces.. so my guess is the "nuts" have become detached from the inside of the roof. Not what I was I hoping for.

So now I need to remove the headliner (?). I searched youtube to see if anybody had blazed this trail and videoed it but I have not found anything yet.

Questions:

Does anybody know what goes on on the underside of the factory rail mounting bolts? Are those nuts glued into place? Welded?

Does anybody have pointers to a video or post with copious photos on how to remove part of the headliner. This is for the front mounting bolts on the drivers side they live at about the center pillar.

Any other advice.

Thanks in advance
Garry.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

I believe it they are connected to the white sleeves that you put the bolt through. I know everyone said to be careful not to let those slide into the vehicle. I am sure someone with a true answer will chime in soon.

 

[Intruder]

I would not doubt that either [MENTION=8206]harper7[/MENTION] or [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] has removed the headliner at some point and taken pics of it. Hopefully one of them will chime in soon.

 

[ucs308]

I would not doubt that either [MENTION=8206]harper7[/MENTION] or [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] has removed the headliner at some point and taken pics of it. Hopefully one of them will chime in soon.

I like your rack. I should probably just have done that but wasn't sure it would work with the James Baroud RTT.

 

[Intruder]

I like your rack.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, my eyes are up here mister.

I should probably just have done that but wasn't sure it would work with the James Baroud RTT.

I've been pretty happy with the BajaRack. The only change I did with my RTT was bought shorter bolts. They weren't touching the roof, but it does make it a lot easier to get the washers and nuts threaded and tightened.

 

[Antman]

I haven't taken the headliner out- but there are pics on here somewhere (my phone is sloooow this am).

There are brackets with threaded holes in them that accept the rack bolts. That's what you hear bouncing in the headliner.

Unfortunately it looks like you have a lot of work ahead of you to make things right...wish I had better news.

 

[phillyd2]

I would try a magnet that even if you cant get the nut to the hole to pull it out you should be able to move it to the back or edge (depending on where it is) of the headliner so only a small part needs to be pulled down.

Many of us have pulled the back down a bit to run CB antenna and/or light wires. Pictures are around - maybe even in my build thread. My phone is fast but I'm too lazy to look

 

[gm350reratliff]

This happened to me on a couple 4th gens years ago. IIRC, there is a bracket/clip that holds a small plate with the nut inserts. It doesn't take much to dis-lodge the plate. I did have to pull the headliner down to get the plate back into place. Remove both sunvisors, upper center console, A-pillar trim, B-pillar trim. You should now be able to pull the headliner down enough to get the plate back in place. Try not to crease the headliner, the creases may not come out.

Granted, this happened to me on a couple of 4th gens. I would assume the 5th gen is very similar but I've never had the headliner down in a 5th gen yet, well not that far.

 

[ucs308]

This happened to me on a couple 4th gens years ago. IIRC, there is a bracket/clip that holds a small plate with the nut inserts. It doesn't take much to dis-lodge the plate. I did have to pull the headliner down to get the plate back into place. Remove both sunvisors, upper center console, A-pillar trim, B-pillar trim. You should now be able to pull the headliner down enough to get the plate back in place. Try not to crease the headliner, the creases may not come out.

Granted, this happened to me on a couple of 4th gens. I would assume the 5th gen is very similar but I've never had the headliner down in a 5th gen yet, well not that far.

Thanks for the tip. They helped.

 

[ucs308]

I managed to fix this today. Pulling the A-Pillar, Center Pillar, Visor, Handles, Weather Stripping, Scuff plates etc. For the front and rear drivers side. Add the center dome light and I had just enough space to retrieve the part and re-clip into place.

Many thanks for the hints and tips in this thread. Biggest thanks go to nashman69g for work he did a number of years ago creating a version of the Toyota Repair Manual available in this thread (http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/65237-tis-fsm-2010-4runner-here.html) Without that I would have been... still at it!

 

[Jhalko]

I would have suggested removing the trim below the pillar to see if you could get in without fully taking down headliner. I thought when I had mine off I could see a gap up into there but not sure. Don't even ask why I had to take all that stuff off...

Sounds like you might have gotten it though.

 

[ucs308]

I would have suggested removing the trim below the pillar to see if you could get in without fully taking down headliner. I thought when I had mine off I could see a gap up into there but not sure. Don't even ask why I had to take all that stuff off...

Sounds like you might have gotten it though.

Even with everything I removed it was still hard to get my hand past the airbag and into the space. It's tight.

But I am noob though.. the first panels I have ever pulled in any of my many cars were pulled today..