Replacing a Headliner on a Chevy Cobalt

The Chevy Cobalt is a sporty version of the Chevy Cavalier.

The Chevy Cobalt is the late model daily driver that took the place of the Chevy Cavalier. It is a two-door coupe that is sporty enough to be attractive to the aggressive crowd, but still drives like a tame daily driver so that even daily commuters can appreciate it. As a late model car, there are not many occasions when parts are simply wearing out on this particular car; however, one car part may either be sagging, broken, or just plain dirty, and that is the headliner. The headliner is the cloth piece that covers the ceiling of the car and provides insulation, a sound barrier, and aesthetics for the Chevy Cobalt. However, over time this cloth may begin to sag, become discolored or get holes in it, at which point it is essential to replace it before it becomes a hazard by falling in the driver's eyes.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Spray-on adhesive
• New headliner
• Razor blade

Instructions

1. Begin by removing all of the trim from around the edges of the headliner. For the most part, you can simply pull outward on the trim and pop it off, but there are a few screws that you will need to remove with the screwdriver in order to remove all of the trim.

2. Pop the overhead light out of its socket with the screwdriver and then begin pulling free the butterfly clips from the edge of the headliner. The butterfly clips snap into holes in the ceiling and body of the car, so it may be necessary to use the needle-nosed pliers to pry the clips free.

3. Slide the old headliner out of the cab of the Cobalt. It may be necessary to lay the front seats down in order to maneuver the headliner out of the passenger side door. Lay the old headliner next to the new headliner and transfer the butterfly clips from one headliner to the other (this way the new headliner will fit exactly as the old one).

4. Spray the adhesive in a four-inch swath around the perimeter of the headliner, and then spread more of the adhesive along the trim area of the car roof. Allow both glue swatches to dry to tacky, and then begin installing the new headliner.

5. Slide the headliner into the cab of the car, and then press the butterfly clips into place. Apply firm pressure around the entire perimeter of the headliner so that the glue will bond and then reinstall the trim. Last but not least, reattach the wire to the overhead light and pop the light fixture back into place on the headliner.

Tips & Warnings

• It may be easier to remove all of the seats in the car to provide more room to access the headliner.

• Do not breathe the fumes from the glue as they are very potent.

Resources

• Online resource for aftermarket and OEM Chevy Cobalt parts