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  #1  
Old 05-12-2011, 02:41 PM
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Windshield header trim panel removal

Unknown what the proper terminology is, so a search of the forum has failed to turn up the information needed...

Windshield needs to be replaced in my '85 300TD (Cali spec), and since that needs to happen, figured I'd go ahead and have the header trim panel (to which the sunvisors and rear view mirror are mounted) removed so that the peeling vinyl can be addressed.

Question is, what actions are needed to get that panel out of there?

Car has a manual sunroof, in case that makes a difference.

Thanks in advance,
Dave

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  #2  
Old 05-13-2011, 12:17 AM
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Just follow (and keep track of) the screws.

You have a few holding the sunvisors & clips in. A couple holding the rearview mirror in. Take out the dome light. Take off the aluminum (Wabesto) trim at the front of the sunroof. Then I think it just pulls back or maybe snaps in... Go easy with it.
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'85 300TD "Puff The Magic Wagon" - Rolling Resto
'19 Mazda CX-9 Signature - Wife's sled
'21 Morgan 3-Wheeler P101 Edition
'95 E300d - SOLD
'84 300TD "Brown Betty" - Miss this one
'81 240D "China Baby" - Farm grocery getter
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  #3  
Old 05-13-2011, 12:21 AM
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And EPC calls it the Front Roof Rail. Looks like it has one slide-latch holding it up after the screws are out. Just wiggle it backwards.
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'85 300TD "Puff The Magic Wagon" - Rolling Resto
'19 Mazda CX-9 Signature - Wife's sled
'21 Morgan 3-Wheeler P101 Edition
'95 E300d - SOLD
'84 300TD "Brown Betty" - Miss this one
'81 240D "China Baby" - Farm grocery getter
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  #4  
Old 05-13-2011, 12:23 AM
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EPC Diagram
Attached Thumbnails
Windshield header trim panel removal-frontroofrail.jpg  
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'85 300TD "Puff The Magic Wagon" - Rolling Resto
'19 Mazda CX-9 Signature - Wife's sled
'21 Morgan 3-Wheeler P101 Edition
'95 E300d - SOLD
'84 300TD "Brown Betty" - Miss this one
'81 240D "China Baby" - Farm grocery getter
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  #5  
Old 05-13-2011, 09:56 AM
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I went through this a couple weeks ago. Someone posted a page out of the FSM. It is on here somewhere (better than the one above).

1. Yank the rear view mirror out. It is designed to "break away".
2. Remove the dome light assy.
3. Open the sun roof and remove the screws holing the piece of trim along the front edge. Then remove that piece of trim.
4. Remove the screws securing the sunvisors and remove the sunvisors.
5. Remove the sunvisor clips. There is a little trap door that swings down so you can access the screw heads. Be careful not to break the little doors off.
6. The FSM page I saw shows 4 clips on the panel. On my 85 there was only 2 and they are both at the ends of the panel. Slide the panel forward towards the windshield and it will "pop out". Be sure it is free of the windshield gasket before you start pushing forward.
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Old 05-13-2011, 10:53 AM
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huh?
 
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Plan on having to re-glue those two clips that hold it in place (at the a pillars). They might not break off, but 7 out of 10 times they come undone. You can polish that aluminum webasto trim piece while its out - make it really pop.

I'm also interested to hear your plans regarding fixing the vinyl. I replaced mine not too long ago after a multi year search for a suitable replacement. FYI, these pieces are different for auto sunroof vs. manual sunroofs. Not interchangeable.

There were also two different types of header panels - one has "nicer", "softer" vinyl, while the other is harder. I've yet to figure out if it was a year to year thing, or maybe 240 vs 300 spec thing.
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1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold)
1982 300 TD,166,500 - 226,000 miles
1998 E 320, 120,000 - 144,000 miles
2005 C 230 K, 26,000 - 77,000 miles (sold)
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  #7  
Old 05-13-2011, 02:48 PM
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Thanks all!

So to confirm, no need to remove the A-pillar trim pieces?

sd300td;

In my case, the vinyl is still very pliable, and it appears that a combination of some degree of shrinkage and aging adhesive has resulted in it pulling loose at the end of the panel on the driver's side, around the courtesy light, and at the front of the panel. It has also come loose from the recessed areas of the panel, such as where the sunvisors fold into.

I'm thinking of either a DIY with the aid of contact cement (waxed paper in between the surfaces to keep them from bonding before I'm ready), or just letting an upholstery shop have at it. Would love to rig up a way to apply it and then vacuum bag it to get it to conform, but that may be overy complicated.

r/
Dave
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  #8  
Old 05-13-2011, 09:40 PM
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A pillars can stay.

The A pillar trim is easy to get out too, as long as the clips were not pushed "all the way in".

This is one of those things where it makes no sense until the piece is removed. Then it is like a ray of sunshine and the pearly gates open.... (whatever that means)....
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  #9  
Old 05-14-2011, 12:54 AM
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huh?
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by D_Ryan View Post
sd300td;

In my case, the vinyl is still very pliable, and it appears that a combination of some degree of shrinkage and aging adhesive has resulted in it pulling loose at the end of the panel on the driver's side, around the courtesy light, and at the front of the panel. It has also come loose from the recessed areas of the panel, such as where the sunvisors fold into.

I'm thinking of either a DIY with the aid of contact cement (waxed paper in between the surfaces to keep them from bonding before I'm ready), or just letting an upholstery shop have at it. Would love to rig up a way to apply it and then vacuum bag it to get it to conform, but that may be overy complicated.

r/
Dave
That sounds like it might work. I tried a little adhesive spray and a lot of paper clips, but it didn't really work all that well. I've got a couple of these things sitting in the garage and may experiment more with one some day. Keep us posted, thanks.

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1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold)
1982 300 TD,166,500 - 226,000 miles
1998 E 320, 120,000 - 144,000 miles
2005 C 230 K, 26,000 - 77,000 miles (sold)
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