How to reinstall headliner

[RPaul]

I am so fed up with dealer, I decided to reseal the rear window leak myself, all went well, but I’m having trouble popping the two clips back in above rear seat. 
 

there are two plastic clips which hood the rear portion of headliner up( above the rear window) and I cannot figure out for the life of me how to reconnect or align the tabs without being able to see them.

 

At first I thought it wouldn’t matter, but they’re rattling now….

 

anyone pulled headliner down yet and figured this out?

[RPaul]

Also *** I saw a few rubber washers which seem to go between spoiler and cab which fell out during removal. Only found two and wondering if each of those bolts was to get one of the washers?

 

hard to imagine they don’t need, or the metal on paint isn’t bad long term..:

[SilveradoRST]

Those 8 nuts with the white washers need to be replaced with new ones.   GM says they are one-time nuts exactly because the white washer/seal breaks down when removed.   Part number 11611049

 

As for the rear two clips above the rear seat.  I just kept playing with it, pushing up and see if they align to click in.  If you can’t get it, you can always remove two blue clips on the headliner side and it should stop the rattle.  
 

Maybe someone else here will offer a better method to get them to clip in.  

Edited August 8, 2021 by SilveradoRST

[RPaul]

You are the man, thank you,

 

what about the black washers on the actual cab roof? I’m assuming something should go between metal bolts and roof? Weird thing is I only found two of those black rubber washers….

 

thanks again man that was an awesome find and reply 

5 hours ago, SilveradoRST said:

Those 8 nuts with the white washers need to be replaced with new ones.   GM says they are one-time nuts exactly because the white washer/seal breaks down when removed.   Part number 11611049

 

As for the rear two clips above the rear seat.  I just kept playing with it, pushing up and see if they align to click in.  If you can’t get it, you can always remove two blue clips on the headliner side and it should stop the rattle.  
 

Maybe someone else here will offer a better method to get them to clip in.  

 

[SilveradoRST]

There’s no washer on the outside.  Those white washers on the inside are the only thing that’s keeping water from getting it for those specific bolts.   

 

There are two black washers that belong to the yellow retainer clips on the outside.   Make sure both are in good condition.  A lot of times they get damaged and are the cause for a secondary leak point.   If they are damaged or not in the best condition then replace it.  Part number 15864780.  Comes with the yellow retainer and black washer in one. 
 

The other washers on the outside are on the four corner nuts that are snapped-in on the spoiler side.  There’s a thin black washer built-in to the washer.   I find those are usually fine and hold up from removing and reinstalling the spoiler.   But never hurts to inspect it if you still can.  
 

I got lots of help from this forum.  Some good people here.  Just paying it forward where I can.   I did my own sealant too.  So far so good.   Hope your holds up as well!

Edited August 8, 2021 by SilveradoRST

[RPaul]

1 hour ago, SilveradoRST said:

There’s no washer on the outside.  Those white washers on the inside are the only thing that’s keeping water from getting it for those specific bolts.   

 

There are two black washers that belong to the yellow retainer clips on the outside.   Make sure both are in good condition.  A lot of times they get damaged and are the cause for a secondary leak point.   If they are damaged or not in the best condition then replace it.  Part number 15864780.  Comes with the yellow retainer and black washer in one. 
 

The other washers on the outside are on the four corner nuts that are snapped-in on the spoiler side.  There’s a thin black washer built-in to the washer.   I find those are usually fine and hold up from removing and reinstalling the spoiler.   But never hurts to inspect it if you still can.  
 

I got lots of help from this forum.  Some good people here.  Just paying it forward where I can.   I did my own sealant too.  So far so good.   Hope your holds up as well!

Thanks again, are you finding the additional info in a service manual /shop manual? Been looking for one for some of these little details 

[SilveradoRST]

No, no shop manual.  Just a combination of the TSB, the official instructions to remove the headliner, and an article on GM Techlink about those one-time-use nuts.   It also helps that I removed the spoiler myself a couple times.   Once to fix the leak.   And again to do the third brake light camera upgrade.   Not fun but glad I did it myself.  

[2016 Sierra Owner]

When the glass guy replaced my window. The clips you are referring to were already broken. Now my headliner rests on the top lip of the rear window and looks just fine.