W111 Chassis Fintail Windshield Seal Frustration - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Squiggle Dog · #31 11-22-2011, 10:01 PM

The headliner arrived today (now that we are having near record rainfall and storms). It's whiter than the original, but that's good because the interior is black and white. Many of the small perforations aren't completely punched out, so hopefully it won't look weird.

The biggest concern is the creasing and wrinkling from being in a box. I hope that these pop out after being out of the box for a while, because otherwise I don't know what to do. It was about 1/3 the cost of a German headliner, so I can't expect it to be perfect, but personally, I'd spend the money on a German one.

I might take a nail and poke out all of the perforations because otherwise I think that it will look cheap. I'm a bit nervous about it how it's going to go in because it seems that the loops for the rods aren't as tall as the originals. But being a new headliner, it should have enough material on each side.

There were two loose strips that came in the box. I'm not sure what these are for. It looks like it could be piping.

Tram, how did you deal with the creasing? Did it come out on its own?

jackson101 · #32 11-23-2011, 09:14 AM

Thanks Squigman, that did the trick!

Squiggle Dog · #33 12-12-2011, 09:38 PM

So, I've had the headliner laying out for a few weeks hoping the wrinkles would come out. I think that installing and tensioning it will work out most of the wrinkles. I also have a handheld steamer for stubborn wrinkles.

I started to install it today and discovered that the fit is NOT EVEN CLOSE. The location of the bow loops is way off. There is no way that the aftermarket headliner will work. Putting it next to the original, I can tell that the new one is very different.

To compare, here is the bow spacing of the original:
1-2: 34cm
2-3: 33cm
3-4: 32cm
4-5: 31cm

And the bow spacing of the new one:
1-2: 25cm
2-3: 26cm
3-4: 35cm
4-5: 21cm

The seller says he sent one for a W111 4 door sedan, but also he seems to think that the W110 4 door uses a different headliner, even though they are the same. He's sending another one. It will be interesting to see what the replacement is like.

Here is another case of aftermarket parts not working. Trying to save money has once again cost even more time and effort. Now the job is delayed for at least another month.

I'm also not happy with how the perforations in the vinyl aren't punched out completely like the originals. It just looks cheap.

tram · #34 12-13-2011, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squiggle Dog

So, I've had the headliner laying out for a few weeks hoping the wrinkles would come out. I think that installing and tensioning it will work out most of the wrinkles. I also have a handheld steamer for stubborn wrinkles.

I started to install it today and discovered that the fit is NOT EVEN CLOSE. The location of the bow loops is way off. There is no way that the aftermarket headliner will work. Putting it next to the original, I can tell that the new one is very different.

To compare, here is the bow spacing of the original:
1-2: 34cm
2-3: 33cm
3-4: 32cm
4-5: 31cm

And the bow spacing of the new one:
1-2: 25cm
2-3: 26cm
3-4: 35cm
4-5: 21cm

The seller says he sent one for a W111 4 door sedan, but also he seems to think that the W110 4 door uses a different headliner, even though they are the same. He's sending another one. It will be interesting to see what the replacement is like.

Here is another case of aftermarket parts not working. Trying to save money has once again cost even more time and effort. Now the job is delayed for at least another month.

I'm also not happy with how the perforations in the vinyl aren't punched out completely like the originals. It just looks cheap.

He sent the wrong one? Geeze, I hope he's not falling apart. Yes, no way a w114 will work.

I don't suppose yours is a sunroof car, is it? If so, I have another one of his headliners kicking around someplace. When I ordered the one I got, it didn't arrive for well over a month, so Selo sent me a second one. The day after the second one arrived, the first one did too. I just went ahead and paid him for both. And, W111 and W110 sedan cars are the same headliner- it's later W112s that are different.

I've been busier than a one- legged man the last six weeks or so, but I have the w110 here with my "makeshift" door seals that are working out well. I'll post pics and details soon.

Mark DiSilvestro · #35 12-13-2011, 10:13 AM

Were the perforations only painted-on, or just incompletely punched out?
Very many years ago, I had to replace the headliner in my '61 Ponton 180. The original was a cotton velour. I wound up making the new one on Mom's ancient Singer featherweight sewing machine. Using the remains of the original as a pattern, I picked an off-white nylon velour from a local fabric store. It worked out pretty well and was much more durable than the original cotton. Today, the car is now a rusty hulk in my side-yard, but the headliner is still intact!
Learned to sew seatcovers by hand too, as Mom's Singer coudn't handle vinyl upholstery.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Squiggle Dog · #36 12-13-2011, 12:16 PM

Well, he says the one he sent is for a W111 sedan. Even though the W110 sedan with is the same, he seems to think they are different headliners. That was the first red flag. The W111 sedan I am working on does not have a sunroof.

The perforations are punched out, some of them just not completely--so it gives the holes a clogged appearance.

Squiggle Dog · #37 12-13-2011, 07:15 PM

Here is what we are looking at. Laying out the headliner.

I put in the bows.

Some of the perforations are not punched out completely, which gives a clogged appearance.

Here is the bow spacing of the new headliner.

Here is the bow spacing of the old headliner.

Squiggle Dog · #38 12-13-2011, 07:20 PM

The bow spacing is way off.

Wow...

The new headliner is smaller than the old one.

The old headliner has extra material at the front corners.

The C-pillar coverings are different shapes and sizes.

tram · #39 12-13-2011, 09:30 PM

If I had to hazard a guess, it looks like the one he sent is for a W111 Coupe. The extra I have is for a SR- too bad. I'd send it over to you otherwise.

mercmad6.3 · #40 12-14-2011, 06:27 AM

no need to guess it's one of these isn't it?

Squiggle Dog · #41 12-14-2011, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mercmad6.3

no need to guess it's one of these isn't it?

What the--I don't even...

mercmad6.3 · #42 12-14-2011, 05:46 PM

It looked like you had trophy headliners laid out on the floor like bear skin rugs....

ha ha

Squiggle Dog · #43 01-14-2012, 03:54 PM

The replacement headliner arrived today. It appears to be the correct type, however, there are the same quality issues with the perforations.

Also, the front corners are missing the A-pillar sections.

There is a purple line stained on the visible side of the headliner.

Something seems to be wrong with the stitching. Some of the bow loops are heat pressed on, while others are not.

The rear bow loop is partially detached.

So, basically, this one isn't good, either. My friend is totally frustrated and in a bad mood now. I told him that he should just send both headliners back and ask for a refund, but he doesn't want to spend an extra $150 on a quality headliner... If there is anything more frustrating than working on your own car, it's working on someone else's car.

mercmad6.3 · #44 01-14-2012, 04:48 PM

Thats rubbish,I wouldn't try and fit that because it will come apart and the line is from someone using a pencil to mark out the fabric.
A proper one from GAHH would be in place by now.
My mate Art Love's headliner had been through a really bad flood and was full of river silt. He put it in his wifes clothes washer and then left it to dry,then threw it in a corner . Garry Moltzen simply installed it as is and it's perfect, which all goes to show that quality pays .

Squiggle Dog · #45 01-17-2012, 08:54 PM

The seller of the headliner was very understanding and he refunded my friend's money. Today we ordered one directly from Mercedes-Benz and it will take about a week to arrive from Germany.

After shipping, it was only twice the price of the aftermarket one ($300 VS $150), but I imagine the quality will be exponentially better. If it was my own car, going directly to Mercedes-Benz would have been my first choice. We have learned the hard way first with the windshield seals, now with the headliner.

In contrast, he purchased a new URO accelerator pedal for $20 that looks every bit as good as the ones Mercedes wants $100 for--but we have yet to install it.