How to open a closed sunroof
06-19-2008, 12:23 AM
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How to open a closed sunroof
You use metal shears and tissues for your tears as you rip apart the interior roof panel. 
My sunroof cables are completely rusted and frozen within their metal tube housings in the hatch area. The sunroof wouldn't budge more than an inch and the manual cranking of the motor yielded a sore forearm and no movement. After some deliberation I proceeded to rip out the aluminum/leather covered interior panel and expose the tracks and guts of the sunroof. The guides that the cables connect to were stuck in one position and wouldn't move. To get the exterior panel out, I unbolted it from the horizontal piece that the hinge connects to, as well as the shoes that run on the tracks. Pull it forward and out from the outside.
After all this, I took a hammer and screwdriver to the frozen cable guide and it still wouldn't move. Reluctantly, I snipped the end off and pulled out the cable and the metal housing in the hatch in it's entirety. After putting the snipped cable end into a vise, I was able to basically unscrew the cable out of the housing by rotating it counterclockwise and pulling at the same time. The second cable is frozen solid and won't move, I am going to hit with some penetrating oil tomorrow and keep the finger's crossed.
Just wanted to share this experience so that other's know what to expect in a similar situation.
Now it's time see how much a new interior panel is going to cost me.
My sunroof cables are completely rusted and frozen within their metal tube housings in the hatch area. The sunroof wouldn't budge more than an inch and the manual cranking of the motor yielded a sore forearm and no movement. After some deliberation I proceeded to rip out the aluminum/leather covered interior panel and expose the tracks and guts of the sunroof. The guides that the cables connect to were stuck in one position and wouldn't move. To get the exterior panel out, I unbolted it from the horizontal piece that the hinge connects to, as well as the shoes that run on the tracks. Pull it forward and out from the outside.
After all this, I took a hammer and screwdriver to the frozen cable guide and it still wouldn't move. Reluctantly, I snipped the end off and pulled out the cable and the metal housing in the hatch in it's entirety. After putting the snipped cable end into a vise, I was able to basically unscrew the cable out of the housing by rotating it counterclockwise and pulling at the same time. The second cable is frozen solid and won't move, I am going to hit with some penetrating oil tomorrow and keep the finger's crossed.
Just wanted to share this experience so that other's know what to expect in a similar situation.
Now it's time see how much a new interior panel is going to cost me.
06-19-2008, 12:14 PM
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Just another reason why I dislike sunroofs 
aside from the fact that the lower ceiling makes it just about impossible for me to drive a car with a sunroof !! They ALWAYS leak , make too much wind noise when open , often fail , get out of adjustment and scratch the paint. Worse than useless...
aside from the fact that the lower ceiling makes it just about impossible for me to drive a car with a sunroof !! They ALWAYS leak , make too much wind noise when open , often fail , get out of adjustment and scratch the paint. Worse than useless...
06-19-2008, 02:03 PM
#3
Jim would like to point out that ...
this is strictly a personal opinion as is his preference for
left-handed, Irish, lesbian dwarfs.
Everyone, including Jim, knows that there is no better way of lobbing loose change, 1/2 inch bolts and old spark plugs at tailgatin' dualie pick-ups, period.
this is strictly a personal opinion as is his preference for
left-handed, Irish, lesbian dwarfs.
Everyone, including Jim, knows that there is no better way of lobbing loose change, 1/2 inch bolts and old spark plugs at tailgatin' dualie pick-ups, period.
06-19-2008, 03:53 PM
#6
Drifting
When you say "interior roof panel" are you talking about the steel structure itself, or are you referring to the leather and mdf headliner? Please tell me you didn't hack into the roof structure. I do have a spare headliner in my garage. It will definitely need reupholstering. But if you're in DC, I'm about 25 miles away.
06-19-2008, 03:56 PM
#7
Drifting
Just another reason why I dislike sunroofs aside from the fact that the lower ceiling makes it just about impossible for me to drive a car with a sunroof !! They ALWAYS leak , make too much wind noise when open , often fail , get out of adjustment and scratch the paint. Worse than useless...
aside from the fact that the lower ceiling makes it just about impossible for me to drive a car with a sunroof !! They ALWAYS leak , make too much wind noise when open , often fail , get out of adjustment and scratch the paint. Worse than useless...Trending Topics
06-19-2008, 11:20 PM
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JHowell37
I meant the interior sunroof panel that is metal and covered with leather, it's what you see when the sunroof is in the closed position. If you have one to spare, I would be interested.
Thanks
I meant the interior sunroof panel that is metal and covered with leather, it's what you see when the sunroof is in the closed position. If you have one to spare, I would be interested.
Thanks
