Sunroof doesn’t operate smoothly

[37ford]

Bought the car with 12k miles, and the sunroof has not operated smoothly since day 1. When opening and closing, there is a vibration as if something isn’t lubricated well. I’ve gotten in every nook and cranny I can find with grease, and there is no change. I can’t figure it out.

If I don’t exercise the sunroof for a while, it’s even worse. It’s almost like me getting out of bed in the morning.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Bought the car with 12k miles, and the sunroof has not operated smoothly since day 1. When opening and closing, there is a vibration as if something isn’t lubricated well. I’ve gotten in every nook and cranny I can find with grease, and there is no change. I can’t figure it out.

If I don’t exercise the sunroof for a while, it’s even worse. It’s almost like me getting out of bed in the morning.

Year, make and model?

 

[37ford]

2019 Expedition Limited

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

2019 Expedition Limited

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10201618-0001.pdf

 

[37ford]

Wow. Thanks. Looks like it was just released last month.

 

[rs4-380]

yes, common.

 

[FlyBry]

Wow! 3.8 hour repair time on the Expy

 

[37ford]

I was looking at the TSB trying to see how hard it would be to do.

The directions say that if your sunroof will go into the vent position, you can skip several steps, including removing the glass. But, it later says to replace the glass. It’s a bit unclear.

 

[rs4-380]

The sliding glass is easy to remove if it vents. The side 'blinds' come out then it's 3 screws each side and the glass lifts up. After that it's a matter of cleaning out the debris and replacing the sliding/lifting arm on each side. it's probably 3.8 hours on the expy IF it doesn't vent because then you need to remove the headliner and the headliner is alot bigger/complicated on the expy then an F150. If the sunroof vents it shouldn't really take the dealer much more then an hour.

 

[5280tunage]

interesting to see a new tsb for this. I had the previous TSB done which describes a procedure which simply cleans and lubes the sunroof with Krytox. Which I had done at a dealer as mine Pops and shudders like crazy. It sounds like it's going to break every time I use it. I've even bought the Krytox and done it myself, but that's very temporary. Usually within days it starts happening again. Curious if this procedure will actually help and be a long term fix. But thanks for sending the TSB.

 

[37ford]

I have the parts on the way. Will keep everyone updated.

 

[37ford]

I performed the part swap, and I have to say I am pretty disappointed. I was under the impression that the TSB included an improved design that fixed the problem, but it is exactly the same parts that were already on it, with identical part numbers.

The only thing new is the $22 tiny tube of grease. The roof operates smoothly now, but we will see after it goes unused for a few days. If it continues to be smooth, it only because of the grease.

 

[armoredsaint]

mine is rough sounding too when opening

 

[FlyBry]

I opened my sunroof for only the 2nd time. It opened fine, but was noisy, almost like it was stuck.
I spread the factory grease around on all the sliding parts. That seemed to help.
Then I applied a liberal amount of Armor All to all of the rubber seals/gaskets. Ran is back & forth 2x, that helped is not make the initial loud sound.