Sagging headliner..... • The Dodge Challenger Message Board

by **Martin Mansson (Marangen)** » 17 Apr 2002 11:19

Hi my Challenger R/T SE has nice headliner and perfect consolette - but when I bought car last year I noticed that the headliner had sagged (presumably overe the years). It is "worst" after the consolette just in front/above the rear passenger heads. What can be done? Must I remove the whole headliner or isn´t there a more convenient solution - inject glue or something....???? Grateful for any suggestions. Martin

by **Dave-R (Roppa440)** » 17 Apr 2002 13:55

I know that you can 'iron' out small wrinkles on a new headliner with a hair dryer but I am not sure that would work in this case.

Does the SE not have a different type of headliner to normal? Anyone know?

by **Jack T (Jackt)** » 17 Apr 2002 21:32

The SE has a formed hardboard headliner that has a foam-backed fabric applied to it. Over the years, the headliner will start to show the effects of gravity as it absorbs and loses moisture since there are no bows to support it. Dave, you're right - the heat gun won't straighten this problem out.

by **Martin Mansson (Marangen)** » 18 Apr 2002 10:50

Hmm - so - can anything be done Jack, or must I replace the entire headliner? No "home-made" solution....?!

Many thanks,

Martin

by **Jack T (Jackt)** » 18 Apr 2002 21:00

I would think you could take the headliner out - carefully as they're old and fragile - and turn it over like a dish, support the outside edge of it and dampen the middle very slightly so it can sag back to its original shape. I'll try to get some info on this from a professional MOPAR restorer local to me and give you a good solution.

by **Jack T (Jackt)** » 20 Apr 2002 23:37

I went by Julius' shop for an estimate on my six-pack Challenger and brought up the SE headliner sag problem while I was there. He said it's usually the fabric sagging after the foam backing disintegrates, not the hardboard headliner itself. If that's the case, the headliner has to come out, have new foam-backed fabric applied to it and be reinstalled. If it is the hardboard sagging, then the method I described before will work if done very gently. Also, repro SE sail panels are available from Legendary.

by **Frank V (Rtse)** » 22 Apr 2002 2:32

wow another thread i have missed somehow....but good news martin there is a guy that is making the foam backed material for us RT/SE..SE, owners also he is selling the rectangular lite that is often broken(reproduction) or in bad shape he has an addy at mightymopars.com if i remember right he sells the material for $95.00 as a kit, when i was doing mine i searched for the velvet like material(really puzzled material people) that my car had with no luck and so went with something else that looks good but isn't correct ..guess that gives me something else to do in the future...lol,oh i almost forgot found this post in the swap-meet area of the website it is 4 pages long so be prepared ...

by **Steve R (Rizrtse)** » 22 Apr 2002 14:14

I got the incorrect, non original, but as goog as it gets material from Legendary. Where and who are you buying from? Also, are you referring to the dome light in your message? If you need any help getting those overhead console lights to work, post me.

by **Jack T (Jackt)** » 23 Apr 2002 3:27

After much searching - I KNEW I had seen it - I finally found the overhead console light assembly. Jim's Auto Parts lists one in their catalogue on page 59. The description is as follows:

"Original NOS complete assembly includes lens and housing. This is for the very rear of the console, not the very front!"

The price - ouch - is $225.

As for the fabric, I think there's someone advertising it on Moparts.com under E-body parts for sale as well.

by **Frank V (Rtse)** » 23 Apr 2002 4:16

the guy that advertized @ that site had the repro lites for 18.oo i think...now i need to go find the address i will post when i find it

by **Frank V (Rtse)** » 23 Apr 2002 4:42

the address is arum@axionet.com it is 90.00 for the kit and 18.00 for a lense cover(not lites) also the guy is in canada, name?barnabas kriss i have never dealt with him so no info for ya there....

by **Martin Mansson (Marangen)** » 23 Apr 2002 11:19

Frank - the arum@axionet.com dodn´t work.....
Where did you say you found his adress?

Many thanks so far.....

Martin

by **Jack T (Jackt)** » 23 Apr 2002 12:00

His address is aurum@axion.net

by **Frank V (Rtse)** » 24 Apr 2002 3:58

whoops i was a bit tired when i last posted i should have left out the .com ..sorry ...