Sunroof repair

[ManUpOrShutUp]

I very, very rarely use my sunroof, but tonight I did so and was swiftly punished for the decision. The sunroof opened, but I could hear something crack as it did so. It then got stuck open very shortly before we had a torrential downpour. Fun times. Anyway ...

The motor is still functioning and after some manual tugging while simultaneously hitting the button I was able to get the sunroof into a closed, but fully tilted position. I found a broken piece of plastic in the track on the passenger side and visual inspection shows something is clearly not sitting properly on that side. I believe it is one of the trough guides, but will be able to get a better look in the daylight when it isn't raining. Anyway, according to the service manual the sunroof needs to be closed to remove/replace these components. However, it only seems to indicate dropping the headliner if the motor needs to be replaced. So can I indeed replace the trough guide components using this kit without dropping the headliner? And can I do with the sunroof closed but tilted? I can't seem to get it fully closed and fear it opening all the way back up if a I try.

 

[Munkiebunz3]

Did you see the video that was on the website? It's basically an hour & looks like a complete tutorial. Watch the video to see if you can spot the part that broke on yours then see what really needs to be removed to have full access to the assembly. If you don't mind working in tight spaces then a slight drop of the headliner might be okay. Just be warned that flexing the HL too much will leave a nasty crease that will never go away.

I'm going to guess that your issue is addressed at the 24:30 mark.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

I hadn't seen that, but downloading the video now.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

Well, I took the glass off and was able to get the guides back into the fully closed position. The passenger side had numerous broken pieces of plastic floating in the track. Anyway, once it was back in the closed position I reattached the glass and all looks good. There's no way I'm dropping the headliner by choice nor am I willing to pay $500 for the job, so provided I have it all aligned properly the job is done.

 

[TobyU]

I have sold vehicles because of malfunctioning moonroofs before.

 

[Munkiebunz3]

I kinda just want to remove my sunroof and weld it shut or have a turret.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

I kinda just want to remove my sunroof and weld it shut or have a turret.

I've never had one fail in all the years I've been driving, but about 1.5 years before I sold my last SUV the sunroof started to leak. I decided I wouldn't get one on the new truck, but I couldn't find a Limited without one so I gave in. If I ever have one again I'll probably never open it after this fiasco.

 

[TobyU]

I think lack of opening them causes more probs than using them.
You should lube the gasket/seal with silicone or something once a year at minimum and open and close them and tilt up several times a year at minimum.
You can also spray some lube (maybe lithium spray grease or chain lube) on the side slider parts.
If they leak it usually just needs the drain tube cleaned with weed eater line or soft to med compressed air. I have even flushed water down them with small tube too.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

I think lack of opening them causes more probs than using them.
You should lube the gasket/seal with silicone or something once a year at minimum and open and close them and tilt up several times a year at minimum.
You can also spray some lube (maybe lithium spray grease or chain lube) on the side slider parts.

Yeah, I was thinking about all of this after the fact. I was also thinking about fortuitous it was that I decided to use it just hours before a torrential downpour. I had to go all redneck MacGyver and rig up a cover out of a plastic tote lid, tarp and some sport sandals to make a peak in the "roof" so the water wouldn't pool. Fun, fun times.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

Just did mine a couple weeks ago...took about 10 hrs, had to remove DVD player and all seat belts..there is a re initialization process for the sunroof motor once reinstalled. Parts were only 120 bucks..Sucks but way better than 2500 quoted by the stealership. Good Luck!

 

[mossback]

Wow. Interesting to see how much is stuffed within the headliner.

 

[bobmbx]

Where are the seats? Did you have to pull them?

Did you happen to notice where the drain lines run to?

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

Just did mine a couple weeks ago...took about 10 hrs, had to remove DVD player and all seat belts..there is a re initialization process for the sunroof motor once reinstalled. Parts were only 120 bucks..Sucks but way better than 2500 quoted by the stealership.View attachment 31704 View attachment 31705 View attachment 31706 Good Luck!

Oh, hell no. After seeing these photos, I am certain I would set the truck ablaze before embarking on this project.

Where are the seats? Did you have to pull them?

Did you happen to notice where the drain lines run to?

The seats are in full recline. It's part of the suggested process for dropping the headliner.

 

[TobyU]

Oh, hell no. After seeing these photos, I am certain I would set the truck ablaze before embarking on this project.



The seats are in full recline. It's part of the suggested process for dropping the headliner.

NO way...EVER!
I swap V10 engines by myself because I need the vehicle and I'm cheap and you have to have a running engine to use it BUT I will never drop a headliner to repair a sunroof. I will get it closed and black rtv the seal together or sell the car unless a tree can fall on it and insurance can do it.
I did a headliner ONCE in my show car Buick GNX but only because I had to have it perfect because it's my baby and the sag was starting and I wasn't having no staples, pushpins or even clear ones in it. So I pulled the whole shell out (not as big as the SUV one) and went to the fabric store and bought the gray headliner material and the 3M headliner adhesive and did it up.
Never for a daily driver or work vehicle I use though.

 

[Keepinitoldskool]

Hey @Sccritterkiller,
What holds the headliner to the roof? Clips, glue, magnets?

 

[TobyU]

Hey @Sccritterkiller,
What holds the headliner to the roof? Clips, glue, magnets?

Can't say for certain on your particular a year but not much on most of them. They are held in around the edges with the weather stripping and then they are held on by the hand grips where they screw on and often by seat belt anchor points also. Then you will have the center overhead console and any lights and also hold them into place.
They are sturdy enough that they hold their own shape with a fairly stiff cardboard backing almost like weak fiberglass then the headliner material is just glued onto the front of that.
So in effect you could sit in the middle of a large SUV and push the headliner up to the roof and hold it with one finger from your left hand and one finger from your right hand. With them all being pushed up around the edges and with all the small little lights and anchor points they stay up there quite nicely without any real Clips or screws going through anywhere else or on the back side to hold them.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

It's about 14 months since I manually closed the sunroof back up and no issues. After reaching for the sunroof switch a few times out of habit, I disconnected the electronics.

 

[07navi]

It's about 14 months since I manually closed the sunroof back up and no issues. After reaching for the sunroof switch a few times out of habit, I disconnected the electronics.

Man up and fix it..........lol

 

[TobyU]

It's about 14 months since I manually closed the sunroof back up and no issues. After reaching for the sunroof switch a few times out of habit, I disconnected the electronics.

When mine messed up in my town car I just remembered not to hit the switch but after I gave it to my son to drive when he got his license it eventually accidentally got pushed. It's kind of in a bad spot right between the two dome lights so I unhooked the wires to it after I got it closed again.

 

[07navi]

I would probably give up on it too, I'm not a fan of them anyway. You can see treetops from inside and they light up the console........big deal. Plus everyone looks at you more because you are all lit up.