GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

J 38778 Door Trim Pad and Garnish Clip Remover

Caution: Do not attempt to repair or alter the head impact energy-absorbing material glued to the headliner or to the garnish trims. If the material is damaged, replace the headliner and/or the garnish trim. Failure to do so could result in personal injury.

Notice: Use care when working around the head curtain inflator module. Sharp tools may puncture the curtain airbag. If the head curtain inflator module is damaged in any way, it must be replaced.

Notice: If a vehicle is equipped with a head curtain inflator module ensure that the inflator module and tether are undamaged. If tether or curtain airbag are damaged in any way, they must be replaced.

Removal Procedure

    Important: This vehicle may be equipped with roof rail module air bags. Disable these air bags before performing any work on the headliner.

  1. Disable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling .
  2. Remove the sunshades. Refer to Sunshade Replacement .
  3. Remove the sunshade anchors. Refer to Sunshade Anchor Replacement .
  4. Remove the overhead console. Refer to Roof Console Replacement .
  5. Remove the front floor console. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement .

  6. Object Number: 857746  Size: SH
  7. Disconnect the electric connector (2) to the rearview mirror.
  8. Remove the bolts from the assist handles. Refer to Roof Rail Rear Assist Handle Replacement .
  9. Remove the windshield pillar garnish molding. Refer to Windshield Pillar Garnish Molding Replacement and to Front Assist Handle Replacement .
  10. Remove the upper center pillar trim panel. Refer to Center Pillar Upper Trim Panel Replacement .
  11. Remove the rear quarter upper trim panels. Refer to Quarter Upper Trim Panel Replacement .
  12. Pull down the door opening weatherstrip seal on both the front and the rear doors.
  13. If the vehicle is equipped with a sunroof, remove the finish lace from the sunroof opening. Refer to Sunroof Opening Trim Finish Lace Replacement .
  14. Using J 38778 , remove the push-in retainers, located over the rear seat, from the headliner
  15. Remove the rear window trim panel as necessary to access the headliner harness connectors. Refer to Rear Window Shelf Trim Panel Replacement .
  16. Disconnect the headliner electric harness connectors, located under the right side of the rear window shelf.
  17. Disconnect the rear courtesy lamps in the headliner.
  18. Recline the right front seat back to a horizontal position.
  19. Important: Protect interior surfaces from sharp edges of headliner during removal enlist aid to assist with removal of headliner.

  20. Remove the headliner from the vehicle through the right front door.

Installation Procedure

    Important: 

       • Locate the sunshade spacers between the headliner and the roof. It may be necessary to glue the sunshade spacers to the roof before installing the headliner.
       • Protect interior surfaces from sharp edges of headliner during installation.

  1. If the headliner is being replaced, transfer the rear quarter lamps and assist handles to the new headliner.

  2. Object Number: 857746  Size: SH

    Important: Do not bend the headlining too much when installing the headlining. Examine the plastic, energy-absorbing material on the back side of the headliner. If damaged the headliner must be replaced.

  3. With the aid of an assistant, install the headliner to the vehicle through the right front door.
  4. Align the sunshade holes in the headliner with the corresponding holes in the body structure.
  5. Connect the rear courtesy lamps in the headliner.
  6. Connect the headliner electric harness (1) located under the right side of the rear window shelf.
  7. Install the push-in retainers to the headliner.
  8. Install the door opening weatherstrip seal to hold the headliner in place on both the front and the rear doors.
  9. Install the finish lace around the sunroof opening. Refer to Sunroof Opening Trim Finish Lace Replacement .
  10. Install the rear quarter upper trim panel. Refer to Quarter Upper Trim Panel Replacement .
  11. Install the windshield pillar garnish molding. Refer to Windshield Pillar Garnish Molding Replacement .
  12. Install the assist handle bolts. Refer to Roof Rail Rear Assist Handle Replacement and to Front Assist Handle Replacement .
  13. Connect the electric connector (2) to the rearview mirror.
  14. Install the upper center pillar trim panel. Refer to Center Pillar Upper Trim Panel Replacement .
  15. Install the sunshade anchors. Refer to Sunshade Anchor Replacement .
  16. Install the sunshades. Refer to Sunshade Replacement .
  17. Install the overhead console. Refer to Roof Console Replacement .
  18. Install the front floor console. Refer to Front Floor Console Replacement .
  19. Install the rear window trim panel. Refer to Rear Window Shelf Trim Panel Replacement .
  20. Enable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling .