Need clips for an interior Sunroof motor cover
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Need clips for an interior Sunroof motor cover
Hi All,
Anyone have any spare sunroof motor cover clips for an 87 S4 that they want to sell? I am trying to find them at some parts shops online but it is hard to find such a small item. I have the interior cover in tact but the clips broke.
I am wondering if it is possible to get a set machined if they are not available.
Thanks,
Ather
Anyone have any spare sunroof motor cover clips for an 87 S4 that they want to sell? I am trying to find them at some parts shops online but it is hard to find such a small item. I have the interior cover in tact but the clips broke.
I am wondering if it is possible to get a set machined if they are not available.
Thanks,
Ather
#2
Rennlist Member
Just resurrecting an old thread as I tried a few solutions for the clips and I think I have a solution now that should be long lasting.
The issue with the sunroof motor cover is that it is made in one piece out of plastic, including the clips. As the plastic ages, the clips become more brittle. In addition, the headliners start to sag, adding to the pressure on the clips. The clips not only hold the sunroof motor cover on, but also hold up the rear of the headliner to the roof as the clip receivers are in the roof metal.
When the clips break, you have choice of either buying a new sunroof cover, or trying an alternate solution. The ones I have tried and failed are:
- Letting the broken sunroof clips rest on the headliner instead of the metal receptacles This failed because any bump would shake the headliner, dropping the cover down.
- Repairing the plastic tips with JB Weld. Due to the weight of the headliner and the pressure needed to get the clips into the metal receptacles, the tips broke off again
- Reinforcing the clips with coat hanger wire shaped as hooks and adding JB Weld. Better, but same issue as above.
The solution I am on now I think will be much more successful. My trick is using 1" L brackets and screwing into the plastic bases of the clips.
The clip bases look fairly robust, and when I applied the L shaped clips on them, I drilled a small pilot hole for the screw, then screwed them in tightly. When I reinstalled the cover, it actually installed more easily than the previous clip types and felt very solid. Time will tell about their longevity, but it seems solid so far and actually gives me back a little bit of headroom, which is greatly appreciated!
The issue with the sunroof motor cover is that it is made in one piece out of plastic, including the clips. As the plastic ages, the clips become more brittle. In addition, the headliners start to sag, adding to the pressure on the clips. The clips not only hold the sunroof motor cover on, but also hold up the rear of the headliner to the roof as the clip receivers are in the roof metal.
When the clips break, you have choice of either buying a new sunroof cover, or trying an alternate solution. The ones I have tried and failed are:
- Letting the broken sunroof clips rest on the headliner instead of the metal receptacles This failed because any bump would shake the headliner, dropping the cover down.
- Repairing the plastic tips with JB Weld. Due to the weight of the headliner and the pressure needed to get the clips into the metal receptacles, the tips broke off again
- Reinforcing the clips with coat hanger wire shaped as hooks and adding JB Weld. Better, but same issue as above.
The solution I am on now I think will be much more successful. My trick is using 1" L brackets and screwing into the plastic bases of the clips.
The clip bases look fairly robust, and when I applied the L shaped clips on them, I drilled a small pilot hole for the screw, then screwed them in tightly. When I reinstalled the cover, it actually installed more easily than the previous clip types and felt very solid. Time will tell about their longevity, but it seems solid so far and actually gives me back a little bit of headroom, which is greatly appreciated!