Sunroof seal very tight, how long to 'set'
10-03-2011, 07:22 AM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Sunroof seal very tight, how long to 'set'
Yesterday I continued work to reassemble my 86.5 after a full repaint.
I reinstalled the headliner in the morning, which was relatively easy and took about an hour or so.
I did not glue the headliner leather trim onto the roof, because the runners of the sunroof and trim pieces keep it in place very well (and removing it without damaging the leather was a PITA because of all the glue)
So I continued to put the sunroof back in, off course with new seals fitted.
Assembly was pretty straightforward, but when I tried to close the roof, I noticed it would not completely close. The rear of the roof remained a couple of millimeters too low.
When 'investigating' the cause, I noticed the seals were the culprit and where slightly too 'thick' to fit in the gap between the roof and sunroof panel.
I remembered reading here, that the seals needed to 'set' for a few days with the roof closed.
So with a bit of 'brute force' I pushed the sunroof in the completely closed position and let it stay in the sun (it was actually very sunny in NL yesterday) for the rest of
the day.
This morning I was very curious to see if the 'setting' improved the situation, and indeed the roof seemed to almost completely close. However it was still not perfect.
So my question is: how long does it normally take for the seal to set, and what other options do I have to improve the situation. I really want it to be perfect.
Cheers
I reinstalled the headliner in the morning, which was relatively easy and took about an hour or so.
I did not glue the headliner leather trim onto the roof, because the runners of the sunroof and trim pieces keep it in place very well (and removing it without damaging the leather was a PITA because of all the glue)
So I continued to put the sunroof back in, off course with new seals fitted.
Assembly was pretty straightforward, but when I tried to close the roof, I noticed it would not completely close. The rear of the roof remained a couple of millimeters too low.
When 'investigating' the cause, I noticed the seals were the culprit and where slightly too 'thick' to fit in the gap between the roof and sunroof panel.
I remembered reading here, that the seals needed to 'set' for a few days with the roof closed.
So with a bit of 'brute force' I pushed the sunroof in the completely closed position and let it stay in the sun (it was actually very sunny in NL yesterday) for the rest of
the day.
This morning I was very curious to see if the 'setting' improved the situation, and indeed the roof seemed to almost completely close. However it was still not perfect.
So my question is: how long does it normally take for the seal to set, and what other options do I have to improve the situation. I really want it to be perfect.
Cheers
10-03-2011, 09:31 AM
#2
Team Owner
it will take a few days of sitting in the sun for the seal to take to its new home.
NOPE when installing the new seals dont pull or stretch them,
once the sun has time to heat the seals then they cool they will shrink and then you will have gaps at the edges of the 2 seals
NOPE when installing the new seals dont pull or stretch them,
once the sun has time to heat the seals then they cool they will shrink and then you will have gaps at the edges of the 2 seals
10-03-2011, 09:45 AM
#3
Rennlist Member
Keith Wisdon has an excellent writeup on it at: http://www.nichols.nu/tip805.htm.
Note: "Work the seal in one direction all the way around the side and the back, then do the otherside starting at the center. (I found that after a few attempts to get the seal to fit correctly when installed, you will need to stretch the seal around the sunroof, since it will be thicker than the seam of the sunroof and fixed roof. This may not be necessary for your car.)" Mine was like his--after a couple weeks, the seal still seemed too fat and I did have to stretch it a little. Hopefully that's not the case on yours.
Note: "Work the seal in one direction all the way around the side and the back, then do the otherside starting at the center. (I found that after a few attempts to get the seal to fit correctly when installed, you will need to stretch the seal around the sunroof, since it will be thicker than the seam of the sunroof and fixed roof. This may not be necessary for your car.)" Mine was like his--after a couple weeks, the seal still seemed too fat and I did have to stretch it a little. Hopefully that's not the case on yours.
10-03-2011, 11:23 AM
#4
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Well, I read the writeup of Keith Wisdon as well as this one: http://www.kondratyev.com/porsche/te...or/sunroof.htm
There is a bit conflicting info on whether to stretch the seals or not. I chose not to strech, and avoid ending up with big gaps where the front and back seals come together.
I guess I will just have to let it sit a few more days?
If that does not do the trick I can always try strechting the seals later.
There is a bit conflicting info on whether to stretch the seals or not. I chose not to strech, and avoid ending up with big gaps where the front and back seals come together.
I guess I will just have to let it sit a few more days?
If that does not do the trick I can always try strechting the seals later.
10-03-2011, 02:20 PM
#5
Team Owner
if need be some stretch of the seal may be necessary
HOWEVER if you pull it really tight after a few heat cycles you will begin to see gaps at the ends of where the seals meet
HOWEVER if you pull it really tight after a few heat cycles you will begin to see gaps at the ends of where the seals meet
