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After developing the dreaded snapping sound when closing the sunroof I decided to give it a go in lieu of purchasing a new assembly. Two days ago my sunroof abruptly stopped producing the snapping and that's when I got really curious....
What happened was that the offending part of the clip broke off (about 25% of the surface area of the clip) on both sides. The clip(s) remained intact. The plastic the clip is made of is flexible and not that brittle with repeated lifts (see: snap!!!) eventually a piece of it breaks off.
The sunroof is still operational and I decided to glue the remaining part of the clip to the plastic assembly. The glue is of course stronger than the force of the spring tension and keeps the clip flush with the assembly.
DIAGNOSIS -> Plastic clip not flush with assembly contact when closing.
WHERE -> Inner-rear part of clip on each side. Inner meaning facing the opening.
WHY -> Because of the way the metal arm and spring tension essentially "lifts" that section of the clip up.
Tools needed: Flathead, small/medium clamp, q-tips, rubbing alchohol/window cleaner and fast setting weatherproof/flexible bonding agent, thin book or thick magazine.
The instructions are straightforward; what I wanted to convey was the reason for the snapping in more detail than just "clip broke"....
Release tension on spring by removing small brass ring connecting arm to wind deflector. You will then be able to lift the broken clip (the plastic is flexible but use judgment to prevent breaking what's left of it)and use q-tips and cleaning agents to prepare surface. Glue. Apply clamp, use book or magazine to prevent damaging the headliner. Reconnect the metal arm to the deflector and secure via brass ring-clip.
I used a universal type glue, gel form, weather/water proof but made sure it was a "flexible" bond as I didn't want something too brittle coming apart with road rattles and body shear/toruqe.
I removed the clip this morning and the clip was perfectly flush with the assembly. I wish I more "surgical" with the glue application but I wanted to get it done before sundown. I'll be doing the second part tomorrow; weather permitting.
MM
posted by 70.18.9...
, Mon, 3 Apr 2006 12:33:37
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