I know that lots of people have done this; but I have been able to avoid doing it until the snow tore off my antenna. So into my Sprinter manual, and it certainly gave the basics, but also seemed to miss some points. Another good write-up is here: https://sprinter-source.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18615
I have a passenger van, and it was absolutely necessary to remove the first row of seats for working space. All screws for the full job are T-9s. Long T-handled or long shafted T-9 tool are best. The combo set I used (see pic #4) was barely adequate for this job. This job would be so much easier with 4 hands. But, as usual, I was on my own.
Per the manual, A-column fascia and the supporting yellow-white foam have to be removed. The foam has to be removed not only because the upper part is supporting the headliner; but when the time comes to lower the headliner, it will need the room to fall down. Start pulling off the door's gasket - it is held on by compression only - no glue. I only removed the upper part of the gasket.
Now things get interesting. The manual says remove the seat belt and B-column fascia. I found that removing the seat belts were not necessary. As for the b-column fascia, the manual says use a straight stick to push back the clips. But the don't say where they are. The first and most important clip is located about 2 inches from the top-middle of the fascia. It needs to be pushed down. Once that is loose, a couple of clips are barely visible looking from the back of the van towards the front. I actually used compression to release the top ones. However, I did not remove the B-column fascia - just got about 2-inches if play at the top to release that portion of the headliner.
Remove the visors.
The manual says remove the grab handle. This is a real pain for short-shafted T-9 drivers. Once I had the headliner out, it seems that the screws only mount on a metal clip to the headliner - not the frame. Ummm.... [EDIT: I have since removed the headliner without removing the grab handle above the front passenger seat {the one pictured here}. It is not necessary to remove this handle - and saves time.}
The headliner will now drop down and land on the mirror. Now to work on the back. The manual says gentle remove the headliner. How??? There is no mention of the fact that there are 4 clips holding on. By dumb luck I managed to pull it down without causing damage to to either the headliner or the clips. If I had known I could have slipped in a panel removal tool and speeded up the process.
I have a passenger van, and it was absolutely necessary to remove the first row of seats for working space. All screws for the full job are T-9s. Long T-handled or long shafted T-9 tool are best. The combo set I used (see pic #4) was barely adequate for this job. This job would be so much easier with 4 hands. But, as usual, I was on my own.
Per the manual, A-column fascia and the supporting yellow-white foam have to be removed. The foam has to be removed not only because the upper part is supporting the headliner; but when the time comes to lower the headliner, it will need the room to fall down. Start pulling off the door's gasket - it is held on by compression only - no glue. I only removed the upper part of the gasket.
Now things get interesting. The manual says remove the seat belt and B-column fascia. I found that removing the seat belts were not necessary. As for the b-column fascia, the manual says use a straight stick to push back the clips. But the don't say where they are. The first and most important clip is located about 2 inches from the top-middle of the fascia. It needs to be pushed down. Once that is loose, a couple of clips are barely visible looking from the back of the van towards the front. I actually used compression to release the top ones. However, I did not remove the B-column fascia - just got about 2-inches if play at the top to release that portion of the headliner.
Remove the visors.
The manual says remove the grab handle. This is a real pain for short-shafted T-9 drivers. Once I had the headliner out, it seems that the screws only mount on a metal clip to the headliner - not the frame. Ummm.... [EDIT: I have since removed the headliner without removing the grab handle above the front passenger seat {the one pictured here}. It is not necessary to remove this handle - and saves time.}
The headliner will now drop down and land on the mirror. Now to work on the back. The manual says gentle remove the headliner. How??? There is no mention of the fact that there are 4 clips holding on. By dumb luck I managed to pull it down without causing damage to to either the headliner or the clips. If I had known I could have slipped in a panel removal tool and speeded up the process.
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