Hello folks,

I opened my sunroof today and appear to have broken it. There weren't any noises but it is now stuck in the fully forward position but with the rear edge lowered. I cannot physical push the rear edge up and the roof only moves ever so slightly rearwards when trying to motor it back. The motor is driving something as you can still hear some mechanism movement.

I have managed to remove the cover strips each side to reveal the glass panel mounting screws so tomorrow I shall remove that and see if I can see anything.

Based on nothing other than the fact that I haven't found anything broken so far I am guessing that the guide rail system has a failure somewhere.

Has anyone ever used one of these
Repair Kits?

I'm a bit concerned that they don't look particularly robust and am suspicous as to how long it will last.

Regards,

Smiler.

I've seen lots of posts complaining about these kits, luckily never had to use one. I would be tempted to hit the breakers yard and try grab some original parts regardless of age

I think Gilbertd used one a while back, which IIRC took a lot of fettling and went pop shortly after. Could be failing memory on my part though.

Thanks for the replies and confirming my suspicions. They deffinitely struck me as being designed to sell as oposed to designed to effectively repair.

There are a few complete sunroof cassettes on ebay at the moment with some offering delivery so I shall buy and service one of those. Though if I can lock mine back in the closed position for now it will wait as I have more pressing needs for my piggy-bank (without trying to find the funds for a nanocom).

OB's memory is correct, I did try one a few months back. They are 3D printed parts and needed an awful lot of fettling to get everything to slide as it should but even then only lasted for 2 or 3 operations before breaking. In saying that, the cables weren't in brilliant condition either and that may have put extra strain on things. I got a complete cassette and fitted that instead. Once you've got the glass out you will be able to see the broken part, set it so that it holds the rear of the sunroof up and put the glass back in. Depending on what actual part has broken, I might have the original part still on the remains of my cassette but otherwise you will be better off swapping the whole lot. It's a 3 person job though, 2 to hold it in place while the third person puts the bolts in.

Cheers, I have removed the glass and cannot see anything broken but the driver's side is only working (to a fashion) in the rearwards direction but did not come back forward. I suspect that something is amiss further back in the cassette.
I have managed to reassemble it with the glass panel in the correct closed position and gave unplugged the motor just in case I catch the switch.
As it's a headlining out job regardless I will just buy a good used one and swap them over rather than spend days with the thing in bits.

If its an "economically made" 3D printed part it won't be up to the job.

Looked into this 3D Printing lark for replication of broken plastic parts last year for other purposes and concluded that the commonly available materials aren't yet strong enough for direct replacement of significantly load bearing moulded parts. Some of the more exotic stuff might do it but, realistically, you'd be looking at re-design to suit the material as well.

Seem to be a few firms springing up offering 3D printing services to Joe & Joanna Public quoting affordable to expensive basic prices but going by the websites they seem to use higher end hobby machines rather than proper pro gear.

Another incentive to get to grips with Fusion 360 and start using the baby CNC.

Clive

Used replacement on order...

Dragging this thread out of it's grave.. I need a nearside sunroof cable and guide, anyone got one on a defunct sunroof assembly they don't need?

Bugger, my old one was dumped at the side of the garage and the nearside cable was in good nick, it was the offside that was well worn. But, I moved house 6 weeks ago and, after taking the motor off, took the remains to the local dump. So I've got the motor and the glass but nothing else.

Ain't that just typical luck!