SpeedyC2

I went for a long drive with some air-cooled friends on Sunday and enjoyed blasting down some fantastic back roads in northern NC and southern VA.

The sunroof didn't have as good a day as I did, however. The already ragged rear sunroof felt let go completely, and the passenger side sunroof hinge piece (#23 in diagram) disintegrated at the connection point with the air deflector. The good news is the roof works fine otherwise, as long as I press down on the deflector while it's closing.

My understanding is the hatch needs to come out to replace the rear felt (which means doing the front as well, while I'm in there, and it seems to make sense to replace the hinges on both sides. I am NOT looking forward to the task of replacing the felts. Does anyone have experience replacing the hinges? It looks fairly simple, but I'm likely underestimating the pain...

Railmaster.

Time to consider a sun roof delete?

SpeedyC2

It has crossed my mind...

Churchill

If memory serves, the #23 part is extremely easy, take a couple of minutes. Same thing happened to me years ago. I also believe you can remove the sunroof panel without disturbing the tracks/mechanism.

The Brewmeister

^Churchill is correct, it is easy. The trickiest part is making sure the spring ( #24) is properly reinstalled so the deflector deploys when the sunroof opens.

pp000830

The deflector hinge is very easy to replace.
Taking the roof panel out is well documented in the older shop manual below:
Andy

SpeedyC2

Very handy document - thanks!

HalfGerman

Some tips on the felt replacement here : https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...roof-felt.html

I posted a youtube link on sunroof removal in that thread. Going to try tackling it next week.

SpeedyC2

The more I read about the pain and suffering involved with sunroof felt replacement, the less enthusiastic I am about doing it. But it has to be done. I am marginally capable mechanically but tend to struggle with things which need "just the right touch" to work properly. I expect this to be a very frustrating experience. Maybe I am psyching myself out unnecessarily?

One question I have in looking at the sunroof itself is if you were to only replace the rear felt (which apparently is never done) would the sunroof have to be removed? It seems the felt is installed directly into the grove on the back on the sunroof panel and could be done with the sunroof on the car. Is it impossible to properly clean the channel this way? Is it not possible to only replace one part of the felt? Is it not possible to "join" the front and rear felt strips or to correctly position the rear felt with relation to the roof panel with the sunroof in place?

Just wondering...

HalfGerman

I did a bunch of reading and the sunroof panel has to come out for the rear seal ( I'm also going to replace the rubber strip) which is why I posted that sunroof removal video. I figure even if I mess up the seals during the install and have to buy them again , it still is cheaper that paying someone to do it. The front and rear seals will overlap each other in a X pattern when closed.

Here is another thread with pics, ignore the sunroof cable part: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...-87-911-a.html

Edward

Wait, the sunroof "works fine otherwise" except for that dopey little plastic piece?? That's it??!!!

Replace that little part (they have a lifespan, not a biggie ...it is plastic, after all!) and simply enjoy the car. Enjoy the sunroof. Don't worry abut the felt if you're not leaking water or have wind noise. It's a 6-minute fix, and that's if you lollygag! Sunroof delete?? ....peshhawww! Use your sunroof and enjoy the al fresco!

Edward

pp000830

Edward,
I have to admit, I replaced the front seal once and just used a Sharpi felt tip pen to blacken up the rear seal to match.
Wait, am I allowed to admit that here?
Andy ;-)

Edward

^^^Then you know the pain! ...LOL!

If the roof works and doesn't leak, it's a good day to simply enjoy it! Our cars are old ...something is always going to need attention, so why go looking for work when one could be driving?!!!

Edward

HalfGerman

I just pulled off my front sunroof seal, Looks like it was replaced at one time as it was glued on with superglue? The ends were trimmed too. The black weather strip adhesive under that ( I assume from original one). Trying to clean it off best I can, WD40 and goof off not doing much. How clean did you get the mating surface? Getting ready to buy some 3M 38987 weather strip remover, local auto parts store has it in stock.

Bought the stuff and tried it on a corner. Adhesive removal is going to be a slow process.