456M Roof Headliner Removal - DIY Step by Step

Like many of you, my 456M's roof headliner began to sag. In addition, I noticed bubbles developing on the rear deck and both rear headrests. So last week, I began addressing these issues. The process isn't as difficult as removing the dash (see this link), but there isn't a step-by-step instruction. I spent roughly 7 hours: 4 hours to disassemble and 3 hours to put everything back.

Before we begin, please have Ferrari 456M Diagram 111 & 122 handy. I like Maranello Parts schematics because of their higher resolution.

Please have a supply of plastic cups to organize and store the bolts, nuts, washers, and shims from various pieces. I number them sequentially so that I can trace back while reassembling. Not all bolts on the same part are the same length, nor are all shims the same thickness. Keeping organized is essential.

***I'm not a professional mechanic, but here are the procedures I followed to the best of my recall. These steps may include errors and omissions. Please use these at your own risk.***

Please repeat each step on both sides of the car. Let us begin!

Step 1:
Lift up the carpet in the rear and remove the TWO 10 mm bolts holding the rear seat cushion. Remove the seat cushion.
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Step 2:
Remove TWO 10 mm nuts holding the seat back (they are semi-hidden). Remove the seat back by pulling out the lower portion and pull the back in a downward motion.
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Step 3:
Remove ONE 17mm bolt holding the seat belt (not the belt receptacle).
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Step 4:
Remove child seat anchor cover, pop off the black plastic cover off and remove the 14 mm bolt. Please pay attention to any shims/washers that may be attached behind. Now you can pop the lining piece right off.
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Step 5:
Once the lining piece is off, you can see where the headrest trim is attached to the rear deck. Remove the 10mm bolts, then do the same for the 8mm nuts on the bottom of the head rest trim. Again, please pay attention to the washer(s) & shim(s) that maybe behind the trim.
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Step 6:
Gently pull the rubber door gasket in that area off and pry off COVERING MOLDING (B Pillar). It’s attached to the frame using a plastic fastener ¼ way from the top. Please refer to diagram 111 #5. I would label the Covering Molding with “Driver” or “Pas” for easy identification.
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Step 7:
Remove THREE bolts (10mm x 2 and 8mm x 1 on top) holding Rear Side Panel, pull out the panel by sliding it towards the front. You can refer to diagram 122 #31 and see the location of the metal clips to get an idea of how to slide this panel out.
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Step 8:
Remove 2 bolts (8mm) holding the Rear Under Window Panel and remove the panel.
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Step 9:
Disconnect center brake light wiring harness (green arrow). Remove the 8mm bolts (orange arrows) holding the UNDER WINDOW REAR COVER (center piece). Remove the cover.
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Step 10:
Remove the similar 8mm bolts for LATERAL PANELS (A & B) – I recall there were TWO for each side. Gently feed the seat belt through the opening (blue arrow), and slowly pull the panel away until you can access and disconnect the speaker harness (sorry I forgot to take a photo).
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Step 11:
Remove 8mm screws holding the back of the roof liner. I don’t remember if there are FOUR or FIVE, I recall there was a screw all the way in the back that was hidden.
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Step 12:
Pry open the rear reading light cover and unscrew TWO 8mm bolts.
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Step 13:
Pry open front reading light cover and unscrew 3 machine screws. Remove the front reading light housing. You may want to enlist someone to hold it while you disconnect the wiring harness in the back.
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Step 14:

Behind the reading light housing, please remove a 8mm bolt behind the felt. Slide the entire COVERED CENTRAL MOLDING FOR ROOF backwards. You may want to enlist someone to hold it while you disconnect the wiring harness for the rear reading light in the back.
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Step 15:
Remove the SIX bolts (8mm?) holding the roof liners. Please pay close attention to the rear bracket’s orientation. This bracket is one of the pieces where the COVERED CENTRAL MOLDING FOR ROOF clips into. Again, please pay attention to the washer(s) & shim(s) that maybe behind the trim.
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Step 16:
Gently pull off the rubber door gasket around the A pillar area. Remove COVERED FRONT POST COVERING MOLDING (A pillar) screw and trim.
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Step 17:
Remove the sun visor by unscrewing: a bolt (yellow arrow) inside of the plastic clip cover, and 2 machine screws (orange arrows) holding the pivot point of the sun visor. The passenger side sun visor will have a wiring harness (green arrow) you need to disconnect. If you don’t see the harness, you need to gently tug on the wire to pull it out.
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Step 18:
This is the moment you’ve been waiting for, the roof liner should be loose and is still held in place by these spring loaded clips/brackets. Gently tug on the roof liner away from the clips and it should be loosen. I would highly recommend enlisting another person’s help as there will be metal edges that can easily scratch up the interior.
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Step 19:
Pat yourself on the back. You did a great job. Now bring the piece(s) to an upholstery shop and get it repaired.

 

Here are a few additional tips for reassembly:

• do not tighten the SIX bolts holding the roof liners until the sun visors screw holes are aligned.
• you can reattach the roof liner to the spring loaded clips by inserting a flat head screwdriver (or a plastic pry tool) as shown and push up to bring the clip down.

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Before photos of the headliners, rear shelf and rear headrests:
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After photos:
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Total cost at the upholstery shop was $1,200 (NY Price).

I apologize for any grammatical and spelling errors. Was in a rush to get this written up. Feel free to send me PM and I'll be happy to help.

 

Correction:

STEP 6 doesn't have to be performed until AFTER STEP 10. I got the sequence mixed up.