Headlining Carbuncle

[bristol406]

After buying my P5B coupe in December I noticed that the headlining had a raised pad in the centre above the rear seats. It's covered in the same material as the headlining and is about 6" long x 2" wide. It's not attached too well (velcro), hanging down slightly at one end and frankly looks a mess. After recent closer inspection, it appears to be there to give access to a manual crank spindle for the electric sunroof. Fastened to the inside of the removable pad is a ratchet which fits the square ended spindle. The ratchet is rusted and worn and I can't get it to turn the spindle so I will have find/make a replacement if I am to have an emergency backup sunroof closer.

Because of this I am now planning to replace the headlining when I have the interior renovated. I will probably fit an interior light to hide the access hole rather than a 'patch' as it is now.

The headlining is vinyl - is this the correct material ? I have a feeling that it should maybe be a felt type material.

[Brendan69]

Does your sunroof operate ok as in opening and closing??? Have you tried to soak the ratchet in white vinega for a few days and then free off oil to get it functional or is it totally shot?? did you also mean the back up spindle you att the ratchet to is seized solid too or not??

If you are planning on removing the roof liner then this would hopefully give you full access to the entire sunroof mechanism in order that you can clean it all up and re oil/grease it all so it all works 100%. I take it the sunroof is a special panel tilt slider or is it a full length Webasto type?? 

Regards,

[bristol406]

The sunroof is a tilt and slide job and it works perfectly using the switch on the console. My guess is that the manual spindle would operate it too. The ratchet tool that was stored inside the panel has rusted and worn teeth on the ratchet wheel and the square socket that fits on the end of the spindle is no longer perfectly square but it's not seized. In order to lock the ratchet into the clockwise or anti-clockwise rotation there is a pawl which can be moved from side to side to engage the teeth. However there is no means of locking the pawl in place other than holding it with a finger and the worn teeth  makes it difficult to get any purchase on the spindle to turn it. I will have to try and modify the tool as the spindle seems to be 5mm square section and I can't find any suitable spanner to grip it.

[Brendan69]

Jun 3, 2020 22:00:03 GMT bristol406 said:

The sunroof is a tilt and slide job and it works perfectly using the switch on the console. My guess is that the manual spindle would operate it too. The ratchet tool that was stored inside the panel has rusted and worn teeth on the ratchet wheel and the square socket that fits on the end of the spindle is no longer perfectly square but it's not seized. In order to lock the ratchet into the clockwise or anti-clockwise rotation there is a pawl which can be moved from side to side to engage the teeth. However there is no means of locking the pawl in place other than holding it with a finger and the worn teeth  makes it difficult to get any purchase on the spindle to turn it. I will have to try and modify the tool as the spindle seems to be 5mm square section and I can't find any suitable spanner to grip it.

Hi, well at least your sunroof still works fine and i assume by what you say its an electric version too which in these cars is ultra rare too. I guess the back up if the electrics ever failed has never been used hence why its all not as servicible as it would expected to be and water and or moisture has just taken its toll on those areas over time. I am sure you will work something out and soon though.

Let us all know how you get on.

[velvet]

Hello Bristol406. Yes the original headlining material was vynle and rover called it oatmeal but in actual fact 2 different types of vynle were used in the p5b for the headling, the main-frame was covered in the conventional very fine stretchable vynle headlining material, but the rear roof panel/quarter panels/& sunvisors were done in exactly the same colour but a different type of vynle which has no backing and is non-stretchable, other marques used this same colour and material including the Morris minor (they called it 'Fleck') and aston martin.
You will need 2.5 metres to do a headlining in a p5b but if it has a sunroof then you will need 3.5 metres. I have done several in both with and without sunroof and i personally prefer to do it in situation rather than remove the frame out of the car.
You will find that because you have a metal sliding roof only the rear suspending rod is present, the other 3 front suspending rods are missing.

[bristol406]

Thanks velvet that's very helpful. I won't be doing it myself. I don't have the necessary skills ( you should see my attempts at wall papering).

I am hoping to have the interior done professionally when lockdown permits.

Pity you are not accepting any more interior replacements - I would be joining the queue !