fyi sunroofs stink.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Wed May 30, 2007 6:26 am

why is it that when a 2mm thick piece of plastic breaks the repair cost is almost $400 in parts?

its late and I have spent too many hours today on this.

it better not rain tomorrow.

/vent
/rant

hallb4 · **Posted:** Wed May 30, 2007 12:56 pm

How did it break?
I ask because I have a sunroof and I would like to avoid whatever happened to you if I could.

jcphoto20 · **Joined:** Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:36 am **Posts:** 507

and its useless if you put on the optional bug shield, unbelievable buffetting. if you open all the windows and the sunroof and go about 40, it will beat you senseless and break your eardrums.

Donnie · **Posted:** Wed May 30, 2007 2:04 pm

jcphoto20 wrote:

and its useless if you put on the optional bug shield, unbelievable buffetting. if you open all the windows and the sunroof and go about 40, it will beat you senseless and break your eardrums.

Why would you put on a bug shield if it has an air deflector that pops up from the factory?

jcphoto20 · **Joined:** Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:36 am **Posts:** 507

im talking about the one that goes on the front of the hood, wasted money on that piece o stuff. made the windshield rattle like its gunna fall out at 70

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Wed May 30, 2007 2:27 pm

jcphoto20 wrote:

im talking about the one that goes on the front of the hood, wasted money on that piece o stuff. made the windshield rattle like its gunna fall out at 70

Wow...are we having a bad day? :roll:

Back to an earlier question, how did it break? I love mine open and closed but I would like to know how it breaks. I think mine is actually glass.

jcphoto20 · **Joined:** Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:36 am **Posts:** 507

wow, that didnt warrant a wow, or anything about a bad day. no not having a bad day, giving you some useful information.

you are welcome.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Wed May 30, 2007 2:51 pm

jcphoto20 wrote:

and its useless if you put on the optional bug shield, unbelievable buffetting. if you open all the windows and the sunroof and go about 40, it will beat you senseless and break your eardrums.

Have you tried only opening the sunroof [full open] and cracking the two rear windows? [leaving the fronts rolled up 100%] This combination allows the cabin pressure to bleed off so there is no noticeable buffeting at any speeds with the sunroof fully opened. On cool mornings, I drive to work in this configuration so I can enjoy the fresh air.

Front hood bugshields typically only protect the hood from bugs. I have yet to own one or hear from someone that the bug shield prevented bugs from hitting the front windscreen. I think the underlying cause is because the Air stream isn't greatly changed and could actually be worsend by the lip?

Do tell what broke Sam. Inquiring users want to know.

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Wed May 30, 2007 2:52 pm

No...you are granted a "are we having a bad day?" I would be put out too but you went from there to the air deflector to the noise.... :wink:

Seriously we would like to know how it broke? At least one other has asked too. And again, I am suprised that it is plastic. I am sure mine is glass. What year is yours? Could it be an aftermarket install?

Whoops, we have two different posters here on the roof don't we. My bad.... :oops:

Jeger · **Posted:** Wed May 30, 2007 3:10 pm

Umm, what piece of plastic?

The one that pops up when you open the sunroof?

Certainly not the sunroof itself, as mentioned by others, mine is glass.......I think...

jcphoto20 · **Joined:** Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:36 am **Posts:** 507

[quote="sleeve84028"]

Have you tried only opening the sunroof [full open] and cracking the two rear windows? [leaving the fronts rolled up 100%] This combination allows the cabin pressure to bleed off so there is no noticeable buffeting at any speeds with the sunroof fully opened. On cool mornings, I drive to work in this configuration so I can enjoy the fresh air.

[/quote]

with the hood shield on, there was no combination of sunroof/window openings that would kill the buffeting enough for it to be even remotely tolerable. with it off, the only thing that works is opening the sunroof about 2 inches, not the vent but just opening the front a couple inches, and sometimes that requires cracking a back window. either way, the sunroof sucks ___. ill never get another one.

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Wed May 30, 2007 3:32 pm

I know for certain that my sunroof is glass. I also have the Renegade light bar which acts as sort of a buffer 'tween the front bug deflector and the sunroof. I can say from experience that the bug deflector works quite well. Personally I have never had a problem with buffeting. So your solution is, go get a Renny light bar :-)r

jcphoto20 · **Joined:** Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:36 am **Posts:** 507

mine is chuck the bug shield on a shelf and keep the sunroof shut. its a moon roof to me, i dont even open the shade unless its night time.

hallb4 · **Posted:** Wed May 30, 2007 4:55 pm

Donnie wrote:

jcphoto20 wrote:

and its useless if you put on the optional bug shield, unbelievable buffetting. if you open all the windows and the sunroof and go about 40, it will beat you senseless and break your eardrums.

Why would you put on a bug shield if it has an air deflector that pops up from the factory?

Mine is glass, and I dont think the deflector that pops out does much. It only sticks out about a 1/2 inch. I do, however, have a Thule fairing and it helps with the noise (I know it is behind the sunroof, but it does help for some reason). But if I have it in the "Vent" position, it's as if air is forced in. It must be hitting the fairing and swirling back or something.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Wed May 30, 2007 5:13 pm

Jeger wrote:

Umm, what piece of plastic?

The one that pops up when you open the sunroof?

Certainly not the sunroof itself, as mentioned by others, mine is glass.......I think...

In the sunroof there is a dual guide track that as the motor moves the sunroof back and forth, when you make the motor retract the sunroof it pulles back with a cable on this guide, the guide then causes the sunroof to recess down to clear the roof and then retract, on the other end when you make the motor push the roof forward the guides force it upward into the went position. because only a single motor vents, retracts, and makes the sunroof sit flush with the roof there is a complicated geometery on the guide. The guide is made of plastic, at the weakest point the plastic is only about 1.5mm thick, if the track has any dirt or in my case has small pieces of gravel get caught in the track at the right place it will cause the mechanism to jam and then put stress on the weakest point, the plastic guide cannot withstand the force, it breaks, your sunroof drops down and gets stuck with a .5 inch air gap around it.

I worked on the roof from 1pm yesterday to 3am today trying to get it fixed since I had a 11:30 inspection today. I still didnt get it fixed after all that work but had to put up the assembly inorder to install the rest of the interior.

The replacement part I need is not sold as a seperate piece, it comes as part of the sunroof frame and costs $450......with my 25% discount. The replacement frame does not include the glass, shade, or motor.

2mm piece of plastic breaks, $450 + in repairs.

If I had access to a machine shop I would machine a replacement out of aluminium and have it fixed.

fyi sunroofs stink.

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