Sunroof Bad Luck

[Funmart6]

Yet another problem, this must be the week for them.
The other day I was sliding back the sunroof shade and heard something snap, then when I opened the sunroof and closed it, the sunroof slowed and then I heard this other very loud snap only to find the black plastic which frames the glass on the inside had broken. Now the shade slides back and completely dissappears, this is not good. What is this black plastic frame and how do you replace it??
It has been a very bad week!

 

[Funmart6]

Anyone?

 

[99V8SHO]

Maybe it is not a very common problem? Though I do know of one member here (Wess) to whom that happened.

 

[avocadoman1]

That plastic frame is for looks on the inside front and sides.
Also serves as a poorly engineered mechanism to move the sunshade back into place when roof is closed.
I had the same thing happen to me (broken frame, that is).
But with mine it was just the small plastic support clips in the rear of the frame that broke off, nothing else.
Those clips are the "weakest link".
If broken clips are the case, try to drill a very small hole in the plastic near each of the two clip ends and wire the black plastic to the metal frame which goes across (side to side) the rear of the sunroof.
That metal frame is probably pushed to the rear of the headliner right now.
That metal frame is a support piece (among other things).
You'll need to enter thru access panel above rear seat and push the metal support frame forward to it's position when the roof is closed or tilted.
There's not much room to drill the small hole(s) as this procedure must be done with the roof in the tilt up position and you going thru the top at an angle with a long drill bit.
Don't know how to better explain it. You'll need to spend some time with a flash light and analyze it thoroughly.
However, if the plastic is mangled and can't be repaired...
I priced out a new plastic frame from the dealer @ $200, plus the install will require glass removal.

 

[Funmart6]

Wow!!!! $200 for a new one!!! Yes mine is all broken, there is one on ebay from a wrecked car, wonder how hard it would be to install.

 

[avocadoman1]

in the tilted position, from the inside of the car looking up, notice the three screws on each side that holds the glass onto place.
remove the screws (6) and you can push the glass up and out.
not sure how the plastic piece is attached, but once the glass is out, easy to access from above.
when you put glass back into place notice that it can be adjusted with the three retaining screws on each side so that it lines up perfectly with the roof.
at the very least, you can perform the task now & pull out the broken plastic.
it's not essential that it be replaced, however it will look unfinished and the sunsheild will not pull back into place when the glass is closed.
also, the metal bar will remain in the rear over the back seat.
however, to close the sunshield, you can reach back inside the crevice with your fingers, grab it, and pull shut.

 

[cellar]

i had that happen to me too....luckily all the pieces fell right into my lap. I just super glued it back on and other then some very subtle cracks you can't tell any difference. Superglue doesnt work the best, gotta use a lot, so might want to try any sort of glue that has some thickness to it.

 

[Funmart6]

Thanks for the tips, I will try removing the glass and go from there. I do have all the plastic parts that broke and may try gluing them back together.
I like to use a gel type glue called "Stix on Contact", it dries clear so maybe that would work. Thanks.

 

[Rubix]

so there are 3 screws that adjust how the glass sits eh?? ill have to look at that... my sunroof doesn't close right.. when you push the slide button and close it, it doesnt push the glass in high enough and water can seep thru. everytime i close my sunroof i have to tilt it up, then adjust it by tilting it down so it fits just right, it's a pain the butt. ill have to look into it.

-jamie

 

[Funmart6]

There are actually 4 screws. My sunroof doesn't fit snug on the back edge, kinda sags a bit, when I re-install the glass I will have to adjust this.

 

[avocadoman1]

i see 6 (3 on each inside) on my '99.
the front ones are the most difficult to access due to the black plastic frame.

 

[Funmart6]

My bad, there are 3 on each side. Ooooooooops!!!

 

[Funmart6]

Is the plastic trim supposed to be attached to the glass panel?
Looking at the track assembly on eBay, it isn't part of the glass panel, but is attached to the track frame.
On my car right now, the trim is part of the glass panel, when I tilt the sunroof the plastic trim twists and bends up with the panel, and this can't be right, or doesn't appear to be right anyway.

Wish I could post a link to the one on eBay, but I don't know how. If you go to the thread "Wonder what happened to this SHO" click the link then scroll to the bottom of page two and it should be there.