Sunroof Problem Solved

[jndejure]

After more than a week passing and not a single reply to my request for help on a noisy sunroof I decided to go it alone and remove the complete assembly from the car (05 Sable). Cleaned the tracks and drive springs with brake cleaner and air pressure, re-lubed, reassembled and installed back in the car. Same problem, loud clicking and popping noises, so out it came again. This time I took a good look at the drive area and what makes it work and decided that it needed some shims placed strategically behind the drive spring flashing on either side of the drive gear. Also, added more lube on the tracks and removed the spring clips from inside the front white nylon runners to reduce friction even more. Sunroof fixed!

Works slick and smooth as new now. If anyone wants to know more about what was needed and how to make the shims and their complete dimensions just email me and I can post a complete write up on their construction and installation. Did this after days of searching for parts on the net and finding that no one wanted to do anything but sell me a new assembly for between $700.00 and $1,400.00 or a used one between two to three hundred bucks. No thanks to either of these solutions. New would still have to be installed and used would more than likely be close to having the same or similar problems. Don't be afraid of your sunroof, it won't bite.

[darthenstein]

Sounds good...sometimes we don't always know what is going on and don't want to say anything if we are not sure. It's great that you were able to fix it! Thanks for the info!

[giant]

glad you were successful. sometimes you just gotta rip into something like that and see whats up.

[Jeffrey]

Would love to know exactly what you did to fix it as it sounds like I am having the same issue. However, seeing as I do not have the greatest automotive skills I am really just looking to get it closed and water tight.

[Lgbpop]

Congrats on solving it. I imagine sunroofs don't get much attention, being optional and all. You'd be doing everyone here a huge service by putting up some photos and a step-by-step tutorial on how you removed it from the car, what you did to repair and any tips on re-installing it.

[sheila]

^ Necropost, lol. 4-5 yrs. old.

[TaurusDailyDriver]

I put a factory one in my car... so I know these things well! What exactly is going on with yours Jeffrey? I will do my best to help you pinpoint it.

The most common issues of these is the black plastic cracking. Inspect that piece first. When this breaks loose from the water drain or cracks, it causes all sorts of issues.


Haha thread from the dead has been revived!


I will gladly pull mine apart and do a tutorial.

[Bull Geek]

All that stupid black plastic piece does is pull the sun shade forward an inch when you close the moonroof all the way so you can put your hand on the grab handle. Otherwise, the sun shade just stays tucked behind the headliner (which you can manually just grab up and close).

Opening the sunroof there are two pieces of metal that are hit on the sunshade that are pushed back to bring the sunshade back.

[Bob R]

I'll never get another car with a sun roof. I believe it's part of the reason this Taurus is the noisiest Taurus I have ever owned. Plus....I don't even use it. Came with the car when I bought it used so I had no choice.

[TaurusDailyDriver]

What is so noisy about it?