Sunroof Tip

[fejbro22]

Here's a quick tip for repairing the J30 sunroof that may save you a lot of time and money. I'll describe the sunroof problem I had first to show what this fixes.

On my J, the sunroof would tilt just fine, but wouldn't slide open, although the motor would run. The first thing I did was tighten the clutch nut on the top side of the gearbox assembly. This allowed the motor to open the roof about 1/4 of the way, but I still had to "help" it along with my hand to get it to open completely. Once it was open, I discovered that the sunroof tracks had never been cleaned, so there was about 16 years worth of dirt, grime and old grease causing a lot of unnecessary friction, more than the motor could handle.

The Solution: Spray the tracks with carburetor cleaner (I used an aerosol can of cleaner). Be careful with your spray, as it can strip the wax off your paint, ant it probably isn't too friendly with leather, either. Denatured alcohol works as well. Then use a paper towel or rag to wipe the tracks clean, including the grooves in them. After they are all clean, apply a good amount of lithium-based grease to the inside grooves of the tracks, and to the parts of the sunroof panel that make contact with them. Then, start your engine (the battery on my J isn't strong enough to move the roof without the engine running) and close and reopen the roof a few times to work the grease in.This worked for me, hopefully it helps someone else, too. Even if your sunroof does work, it probably wouldn't hurt to do this once every couple of years, to keep it in prime condition.

[yodawill2000]

Good tip.I might add that a few old timers have sworn by using "NON DRIP" candle wax to lube the rails.Don't recall what they are made from but it supposed to hold up a lot longer than grease.

Almost forgot !!Welcome to Nico !!!


Modified by yodawill2000 at 5:25 AM 7/30/2009

[colincliff2]

Good tip. Mine is due for a cleaning/greasing. Have you devised a way to clean the rear portion of the track (under the roof)? Although I have not looked, I am guessing mine is pretty bad back there.

[fejbro22]

Have you devised a way to clean the rear portion of the track (under the roof)?

All I did on mine back there was put some of the lithium grease on the sunroof parts that stick down into the track when I had it all the way open (easier to to from the inside of the car, would probably make more sense if I had a picture). Other than dismantling your interior and removing the whole sunroof assembly from the car, I don't know if there's any way to completely clean/lubricate the far rear components.

Almost forgot !!Welcome to Nico !!!

Thanks!