Sunroof Panel Removal

[iain1067]

I have had a read through some old posts on this, and i must admit i am still non the wiser as to how this comes out. My roof will only tilt and i now have a complete working frame with all the sliders etc.

Does anyone have a defintive guide on this, for instance haynes talk of finding some spring thingys inside that need to be unhooked which drops down the trim panel, damned if i can see them. btw it's a 1994 avant, not that i imagine there will be much difference between coupe and avant.

many thanks

Iain

[nigelm]

Sunroof removal

No need to be apprehensive really.
Half open the sunroof then poke your head up from inside the car looking towards the rear. You’ll see 2 black clips joining the lining to the outer skin of the sunroof by clamping round a lug. The clips just push off to unfasten, perhaps with a bit of widening of the plastic gap if needed.
Once the lining is slid backwards have the sunroof in the tilted position, then unbolt/unscrew (can’t remember) the obvious retaining screws and lift off the sunroof.

I did this last year to change the sealing strip and found the replacement one wasn’t as ‘plump’ as the original. Upshot is the beggar still leaks round the outside of the seal. Currently is ‘waxed up’ to keep all dry. It’s on the list to replace again. I don’t know if others have had this experience.

Nigelm
ABY 1994 coupe

[nigelm]

Sunroof

Sorry - reread your post

Your sunroof doesn't slide hence you can't see the clips at the front edge of the panel.

You may be able to forcibly slide the lining backwards from inside to disengage the clips. (Carpet Gripperods maybe to grip it????)


Nigelm

[iain1067]

ok that's kinda got me going in the right direction, not sure about griprods on the fabric though!!!!!


iain

[Graham]

Can it be winched with the allen key?--Manually i mean
Graham

[iain1067]

it's very very tight with the allen key


Iain

[iain1067]

Well i have got somewhere with it this morning, the frame that i got is totally different to the one in the car so that's no use at all. However i did manage to get it to slide back and unclip the trim and take the panel out, i have lubed as much as i can the cables and guides, nothing broken at all. Popped the motor out and wd40'd the cables that the motor run on.

Now the sunroof when tilted sits the same height both sides, and when closed sits nicely in the hole. It does now slide back although i get a clicking sound like the motor is slipping on the cable and trying to engage. I am hoping (yeah right) that the wd40 might soak and free off any gunk inside the cable runners. The cables in the motor area are pretty crudded up.

Iain

[s20ale]

Turn cable 180deg to give a new edge for motor gear to grip.
Worked for me.

[iain1067]

and how do you do that without taking the frame out???

oh and i have found neat way of lubing the cables where the motor is, i went down to my local pharmacy and asked if they sold syringes and needles, the answer was no, the woman then said we give them away free!!!!!! I explained that all i needed was a couple for lubing my sunroof cables, she must have thought i was on drugs.

Anyway loaded said syringe with more wd40 and lubed away, it does actually work now although get the odd click where the cable is probably a bit stretched. I know wd isn't probably the best thing to lube it with but i am trying to keep it free running.


Iain

[s20ale]

Heavy oil/grease is a deff no no on roof mechanism use light oil WD should be fine or a light silicone grease.
Drop sunroof motor and pry cable out of runner (roof open to expose cable's) with instrument screwdriver or similar, you can pull cables out of runners to give them a good clean turn 108deg then push back into guide runners, lay rag's on roof top toward screen and down screen save's cleening car and screen (it do make a mess).

HTH's

[iain1067]

top stuff thanks

Iain