How to remove overhead sunvisor panel?

[Jand3rson]

I'm trying to pull the overhead panel in my car (needs some work), the black one that the sunvisors are attached to, but I can't seem to get it to come down. I unbolted the sunvisors, and it's loose, and I see that you have to pull down the fuzzy-lined door stripping at each end, but it's the part at the back that's holding me up, right against the front of the sunroof. I opened the sunroof, and it looks like it goes up and over the top of the sunroof opening, and is bolted down under the base of the little flap that raises up when you open the sunroof. Do I have to remove that part to get the overhead panel out? The part I'm working with is #1.

[NickP]

If you retract the sunroof you should see 2 screw that secure that panel as well.

[Jand3rson]

There's abou t7 screws up there. under that flap that secure it. I took a couple of them out, but they aren't even long enough to go down into the panel. What 2 screws are you talking about?

Someone must know how to do this...

[NickP]

There's abou t7 screws up there. under that flap that secure it. I took a couple of them out, but they aren't even long enough to go down into the panel. What 2 screws are you talking about?

Someone must know how to do this...

There's definitely 2 fasteners on the panel - but its been awhile and my e30's in storage I can't just go look. Those 7 screws may remove the wind deflector and the 2 screws may be underneath it. Worst case I've taken one off a parts car without removing those 2 screws. Each screw goes into a plastic connector that is glued on the panel - you will probably just have to reglue the plastic to the cardboard panel.

[Jand3rson]

I see, so the part with the 7 screws in it may just be covering the part below it, which has the 2 screws that will let the whole panel loose?

I'll have to go take another whack at it. Re-gluing isn't a problem, the main reason I'm taking it out is because the black vinyl is coming down off of the panel in a bunch of spots, and we need to glue it back down.

[NickP]

I see, so the part with the 7 screws in it may just be covering the part below it, which has the 2 screws that will let the whole panel loose?

I'll have to go take another whack at it. Re-gluing isn't a problem, the main reason I'm taking it out is because the black vinyl is coming down off of the panel in a bunch of spots, and we need to glue it back down.

Its been awhile - so its a distant memory and probably not 100% but yeah that's what I'm saying.

Time to go do some experimenting on your part :D

[mikey]

Open the sunroof and gently pull on the end of the arms that hold the wind deflector in place. Then you can tip the deflector forward and that gives you enough access to the screws underneath (I forget how many there are..). You will have to peel a little bit of the tan headliner away, but that's no big deal. Don't forget to unplug the check control panel, too. HTH.

-Mikey

[Jand3rson]

Open the sunroof and gently pull on the end of the arms that hold the wind deflector in place. Then you can tip the deflector forward and that gives you enough access to the screws underneath (I forget how many there are..). You will have to peel a little bit of the tan headliner away, but that's no big deal. Don't forget to unplug the check control panel, too. HTH.

-Mikey

Cool, thank you. I already disconnected everything. I'll give that a try.

[Jand3rson]

I finally got the fucker out, what a BITCH! You have to remove 7 screws to get the whole wind deflector assembly out, then there's 2 screws under that on each side. The vinyl is glued to the top of the sunroof opening all the way across the front, and you have to peel all that off. Then you have to pull the door stripping down on each side a little bit, because it's glued in up there, too. I bet getting this thing back in is going to be more fun than a barrel of space monkeys!

[Jand3rson]

Forgot to mention, I also left my key on all day and killed my battery. Oh well, at least I don't have to drive it anywhere. Doesn't have a cluster, anyway. :D

[Jand3rson]

Just thought I'd update this thread with a pic of my new overhead panel next to my old one. You can see why I decided to just get a new one. :D

[VAPORBLADE]

yeowza! How did that happen?

[PiercedE30]

deterioration of the glue, imo.

[VAPORBLADE]

I say you make an entire carbon fiber mold that matches it! ;) (yea cool - but pointless)

[BDSax]

i would like to make a fiberglass one at least, that material is terrible! and its pretty shitty how they didnt wrap the vinyl over the lip to help it hold in place. a guy in town wants $60 to redo mine