How to Replace Car Carpet With Rubber Flooring
by Mary Corbin
Whether you use your vehicle for work or have young children or pets, automobile carpet may not hold up well over time. Replacing the carpet with rubber flooring may be an ideal solution. Fortunately, you can purchase rubber floor kits that allow you to change the flooring yourself. Most vehicle manufacturers offer rubber flooring kits for different models, and the installation process is similar for most cars.
Step 1
Leave the rubber flooring kit out in the sun while you disassembling the carpet from your vehicle. The heat from the sun will make the rubber flooring more pliable and easier to work with.
Step 2
Open all the doors on your vehicle before removing the carpet.
Step 3
Remove the kick panels by hand by pulling up on the plastic nuts in the corners and removing the clips that secure the carpet along the door jam.
Step 4
Free the rocker still plates by pulling up to release the clips.
Step 5
Take out the car seats by using a 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the bolts in the seat tracks. Remove the tracks and the seats themselves. Lift the seats out of the car by placing one hand on the bottom of the seat and the other on the headrest. You can leave the back seat inside the car.
Step 6
Pull the old car carpet loose by starting in one front corner. Roll the carpet away from the dash and towards the rear of the car. Remove the entire section of carpet out of the car.
Step 7
Arrange the rubber flooring outside the car so the forward section is aligned with the front of the car. Fold the back portion of the rubber flooring towards the middle and the front portion over the back, creating a burrito-like shape.
Step 8
Lift the rubber flooring into the car and place it in the middle of the cab. Be sure the front is still facing the front of the vehicle.
Step 9
Roll the front section of the rubber flooring towards the dash. Make sure the seat belts and the flooring line up and everything lays flat in place.
Step 10
Unroll the back section of the rubber flooring in the back of the car. Press the rubber into place and along the grooves of the cab.
Step 11
Put the car seats back into the vehicle.
References
- Stock Interiors: Auto Carpet Installation Instructions
- "Custom Auto Interiors"; Don Taylor; 2003
Tips
- Most seat belts don't interfere with the installation of new flooring in cars. However, if you have an older car, you may need to remove the seat belts. Do so by unscrewing the standard bolts and nuts that hold the belts in place with a regular wrench.
Things You'll Need
- Rubber flooring kit
- 3/8-inch ratchet and socket set
Warnings
- Disconnect the battery cables if you need to remove electric seats or seat belts from the car. It's best to talk with your dealership or a professional before removing the wiring from the cab.
Writer Bio
Mary Corbin began her career writing for online and print media in Indianapolis. Since 2004, she has covered subjects such as home and family, technology and legal issues. Working in the broadcast industry, Corbin created articles for marketing, public relations and business matters. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Indiana University.
