Anybody know how the headliner bows are held up to the roof of a 123? All mine appear to have come loose and I'd like to have some idea of what goes on above the fabric before I try to pull stuff apart.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Traditional headliner uses wire bows threaded into a loop which is continuous along the seam in the headliner. You put them up then put a trim on along the edge (above doors and windows.) I am not sure if 123 headliner is done this way or not.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Yes, I know the bows are looped into the headliner itself. It's just the anchoring points of the bows to the car that has me stumped. I've searched online and not found a single resource that actually mentions or shows a pic of that specifically. My bows are literally just lying in the headliner with no discernable attachment points to the car. The only part that seems OK is the part where it tucks under the rear window seal. So I was thinking I can detach it from the front of the car working my way toward the back and then fix the issue in reverse without having to remove the rear window. But I'd like to know what I'm dealing with before I tear into it as it's pretty much my only DD right now.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

If you don't have a sunroof, why not try shag carpet?

__________________
CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?

In my experience there is no fastener, the ends of the bows sit in a groove and once installed don't move. Once they are assembled into the headliner it is similar to erecting one of those tents with bowed tubes. With the headliner stretched it becomes secure...there is really no place for the end to go.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I've just found a thread from back in 08. Don't know why I never saw it before. I have searched. Anyway. It seems the ends of the bows install into rubber grommets that attack to the roof somehow. I suspect those rubber grommets have disintegrated. I might try pulling down the liner just in the front to have a recce before deciding the best course of action.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Peter ;

PLEASE post a link to the other thread and let us know what you do, pictures is possible .

My '82 240D's head liner bows are also loose (non sunroof) ~ one dropped years ago and the other not long ago, the headliner looks terrific but I worry something will get snagged and tear it .....

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Hmmm, I'm picturing a long, purple shag carpeting with some tassels and maybe a pair of florescent orange, fuzzy dice!

__________________
“Whatever story you're telling, it will be more interesting if, at the end you add, "and then everything burst into flames.”
― Brian P. Cleary, You Oughta Know By Now

This is correct. Years ago, I remember some forum member talking about making his own solid grommets to replace the rubber ones, but I can't find that member or post now...

__________________
1983 300D Midnight Blue
4 speed, W115 intake mani, non-EGR exhaust mani, KKK K26, 3 pc Euro bumpers, Lo-spec Euro headlights, AL129X, hubcaps, custom A/C

1987 300TD Smoke Silver
Euro headlights, thermostat relocation, coolant bypass mod, rebuilt Becker + Jehnert + Helix audio, OEM Oris roof boxes and surfboard racks, Euro towbar

1983 300TD Reed (Moss) Green / Dark Olive MB Tex Euro spec

1983 300TD Silver Blue / Blue cloth Euro spec, OM648 and 722.6, 15" hubcaps, W126 S2 brakes

Well if the bows are not staying under tension. There should be a part number for what they insert into. I tend to agree something that enhances their length has failed.


I might go to a pick and pull and explore on a car that is obviously going to be crushed. In fact if the bows are under proper tension on it. You might even get the parts needed that are still good from it. Or if you are lucky may even be able to duplicate them. Depending of course.

I just had a more detailed look at it and apart from being dirty the headliner is in good condition. No tears of damage at all. All the bows have detached from the car so if I can repair it it should increase my headroom by between 2 to three inches depending on the bow. It'll be a long term thing because as I said it's my DD so I can't take it out of commission for a lengthy period right now. But yes. If I do this I'll take a lot of pic's for a detailed write up on it.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S