My car is booked in at a friendly local body shop to get a dent knocked out of the roof (don't ask!). They guy is doing mates rates and has asked if I can remove the head lining and one roof bar to save a bit of time on their end. 

 

I need to drop from the rear hatch (estate) as far forward as the b posts. 

 

Any tips/advice/guides? I've had a search but can't find anything apart from some info on dropping the very rear most part to access the arial. 

 

I'm handy with spanners but not a fan of fiddly, fragile plastic clips... 

No one done this then?

Edited 28 July, 201411 yr by Jamesfts

I have!

Dropping it to the B-pillar and you'd be better taking it out completely otherwise it's likely to bend/crease.

A-pillar trims pull off into the vehicle (unless you have an airbag symbol then there's a torx screw under it).

B-pillar is a tricky one. There are clips inside that you can't see. You'll need to open the lower edge wide to get the trim over these.

C-pillar has a couple of screws before pulling off.

D-pillar requires the trim that links them (by the boot hinges) be removed first by pulling it straight down into the boot. Then the pillar trims pull off (might be a screw to remove first - will be obvious though).

Sun visors have a screw under a little flap and then there pull out from one end as there is a big clip on the other. Quite stiff but fairly obvious which end.

Grab handles have screws to remove. Two on each.

That leaves lights which have screws under the clear covers. Be careful as the plastic cracks quite easily if over tightened on refitting.

If you search through the Octavia 2 forum you'll find more detailed descriptions and maybe even pictures.

You are right that most are about accessing the aerial, but there are some about other pillar trims (especially A-pillar as these need removing to fit the microphone for BT) including questions I asked when I swapped my headlining from grey to black.

No idea on the roof bars. I did have a quick look while my headlining was out, but didn't see anything obvious.

That would explain why I never saw anything and why there are plastic covers on the ends of the roof rails!

Thanks for the replies guys - really appreciate them. Looks like I've no excuse to get it booked into the body shop now!

James