Headliner Removal/Installation

2008 Acura MDXSECTION Headliner Removal/Installation

Special Tools Required 

KTC trim tool set SOJATP2014 *

* Available through the American Honda Tool and Equipment Program; call 888-424-6857

SRS components are located in this area. Review the SRS component locations (see COMPONENT LOCATION INDEX ) and the precautions and procedures (see PRECAUTIONS AND PROCEDURES ) before doing repairs or service.

NOTE:
  • Use the appropriate tool from the KTC trim tool set to avoid damage when removing components.
  • Take care not to bend and scratch the headliner.
  • Be careful not to damage the dashboard and other interior trim.
  1. Remove these items:
  2. Remove the screws, then remove the roof console bezel (A).
    Fig 1: Identifying Roof Console Bezel
    G05487155Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  3. If necessary, remove the remaining roof console clips (A) from the body and the moonroof frame (B).
    Fig 2: Identifying Roof Console Clips And Moonroof Frame
    G05487156Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  4. Disconnect the roof wire harness connector (A).
    Fig 3: Identifying Roof Wire Harness Connector
    G05487157Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  5. With rear entertainment system: Disconnect the RES wire harness connectors (A) and detach the harness clips (B) from the left A-pillar (C).
    Fig 4: Identifying RES Wire Harness Connectors, Clips And Left A-Pillar
    G05487158Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  6. With rear entertainment system: Disconnect the RES wire harness connectors (A) from the rear controller and screen (B).
    Fig 5: Identifying RES Wire Harness Connectors, Rear Controller And Screen
    G05487159Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  7. Lower the headliner (A). The vehicle with rear entertainment system is shown; and without rear entertainment system is similar.
    1. Remove the front door opening seals (B), rear door opening seals (C), and tailgate weatherstrip (D) from each roof portion.
    2. With the help of an assistant, detach the rear clips by pulling the rear portion of the headliner down.
    3. With the help of an assistant, release the fasteners (E) by lowering the headliner.
      Fig 6: Identifying Headliner, Front Door Opening Seals, Rear Door Opening Seals And Tailgate Weatherstrip
      G05487160Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  8. With the help of an assistant, pull the headliner (A) along with the roof wire harness and rear entertainment system wire harness (for some models) out through the tailgate opening. Do not bend the liner. Bending the liner will crease and damage it.
    Fig 7: Identifying Headliner
    G05487161Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  9. If necessary, detach the hooks, then remove the roof side pad (A).
    Fig 8: Identifying Roof Side Pad
    G05487162Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  10. If necessary, remove the cushion tapes (A) fastening the roof subharness (B) to the headliner (C), detach the harness clips (D) and release the harness from the harness protector base (E), then remove them from the headliner.
    Fig 9: Identifying Cushion Tapes, Roof Subharness, Headliner, Harness Clips And Protector Base
    G05487163Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  11. With rear entertainment system: If necessary, remove the cushion tape (A) fastening the RES wire harness (B) to the headliner (C), detach the harness clips (D) and release the harness from the harness protector base (E), then remove them from the headliner.
    Fig 10: Identifying Cushion Tape, RES Wire Harness, Headliner And Harness Clips
    G05487164Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
  12. Install the headliner in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:
    • If the side curtain airbag has deployed, replace the headliner and removed trim pieces with new ones (see COMPONENT REPLACEMENT/INSPECTION AFTER DEPLOYMENT ).
    • To prevent the side curtain airbags from deploying improperly and possibly causing injury, inspect removed pieces and replace them if they have any of these types of damage:
      • Any crease or tears in the headliner (A)
      • Any cracks or breakages in the grab handle (B)
      • Any damages around the grab handle holes (C) or sunvisor holes in the headliner
      • Any cracks in the sunvisor stay base (D)
      • Any bends or cracks in the sunvisor stay shaft (E)
      • Any cracks in the sunvisor base (F)
      • Any cracks or breakages in the vanity mirror base(G)
      • Any fasteners (H) and clip bases (I) which have come off the headliner
    • When installing the grab handle, push on the handle against the bracket (J) until the clips (K) snap into place securely.
    • Check if the clips are damaged or stress-whitened, and if necessary, replace them with new ones.
    • Replace the removed cushion tape with new ones.
    • Check that both sides of the headliner are securely attached to the trim.
    • Make sure the headliner overlaps the trim pieces correctly (see CHECKING AND ADJUSTING THE HEADLINER/PILLAR TRIM OVERLAP ).
    • When reinstalling the headliner through the tailgate opening, be careful not to fold or bend it. Also, be careful not to scratch the body.

      Headliner 

      Fig 11: Identifying Headliner Components
      G05487165Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

      Grab handle 

      Fig 12: Identifying Grab Handle Components
      G05487166Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

      Sunvisor 

      Fig 13: Identifying Sunvisor Components
      G05487167Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
RENDER: 1.0x

NO RELATED

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When to See a Mechanic

Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:

  • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
  • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
  • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
  • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
  • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.