Sunroof gasket replacement dillema

[colincliff2]

Sorry to start yet another sunroof post, but I'm stuck & need some advice. I am trying to replace my sunroof gasket using the information carlos provided in the following post:zerothread/160015

I opened the roof half way, released the two clips, and pushed the felt liner back. Per the instructions in that post, it says I should be able to start closing the sunroof and felt will stay all the way back, allowing me to remove all 6 bolts from the lid. However, my felt liner catches on a second set of spring clips located about 1/2 way back on the lid! Therefore, when I go to close the roof, it grabs the liner about 1/2 way and keeps me from reaching the last 2 bolts. I have not been able to release these other clips as they are very tight & far back.

Has anyone else run into this problem? It sounds like a few people on here have used this method to replace their gasket without trouble.

[colincliff2]

UPDATE: I finally got the lid off. I was able to use two rulers, which were just barely long enough to reach back to and slide under these two nasty spring clips. You have to push them toward you in order to release them and push back on the liner while doing so.

Now I have a new question for anyone who has done this before: do you need to put silicone in the groove of the new gasket before installing?

[Gerardjg]

I put a small bead of GE Clear silicone inside the slot on the new gasket plus brushed a thin coating around the upper and lower side of the moon roof panel perimeter. installed the new seal with the seam in the back and let this cure for 24 hours before reinstalling onto the car. Wipe off any excess silicone from the painted surface before it fully cures with a cloth dampened with alcohol.

[colincliff2]

I put a small bead of GE Clear silicone inside the slot on the new gasket plus brushed a thin coating around the upper and lower side of the moon roof panel perimeter. installed the new seal with the seam in the back and let this cure for 24 hours before reinstalling onto the car. Wipe off any excess silicone from the painted surface before it fully cures with a cloth dampened with alcohol.

Thanks Gerard. Just finished it and I'm waiting for everything to dry. The only surprise was that the new seal was too long by about an inch. Hopefully I will be leak free in a day or so!