BMW Sunroof Preventive Maintenance

[kayger12]

While it's definitely not sunroof season in the NE right now, I've been thinking about it now that I have one that works again-- I definitely don't want a repeat of my nightmare with the 325 http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1444943

Does anybody do any PM with regards to your sunroof? Seems that lube failure from the extreme heat in summer seems to be a contributing factor. Maybe a dry graphite lubricant in the tracks?

Do I just install the BMW sunroof shade kit now?

[pyreguy]

The BMW tech that I use told me he puts a special lube on the tracks of the sunroof. Next week I am going by there and I will find out exactly what it is. He also mentioned not opening and closing the shade too hard cause they have a tendency to get off track. Aslo he said to be careful leaving it open or up when parked under trees, cause leaves and trash can get in the tracks and clog the drains... basic stuff.

[kayger12]

Good stuff. Curious to see what kind of lube they use. Thanks for the info.

[FullyBalanced]

I'm interested to know as well.... I had a 01 330i that had that probblem when I boought it. I don't want my ZHP to "develop" the same issue.

[danewilson77]

http://www.triflowlubricants.com/Tri-Flow_Synthetic_Grease.html

This is what a service tech said they used at a service center.....

[kayger12]

http://www.triflowlubricants.com/Tri-Flow_Synthetic_Grease.html

This is what a service tech said they used at a service center.....

Ordered!

Thanks, Dane.

[FullyBalanced]

Cool...I've got some Triflow spray, but not the grease. Will definitely try that.

[pyreguy]

I used to use their spray religiously when I was a locksmith. Even sold it in my shop. They have a great product, and I would expect nothing less from this grease.

[jjcools]

Cool, I think I have some from my bikes, will work on that before summer hits.

[mimalmo]

I don't use my sunroof. The only times it's been opened (3-4 times) is when other people get in the car and start fiddling with it. Wonder if I should still throw some grease at it?

Wish I had a ZHP with the sunroof delete option (rarity).

[kayger12]

I don't use my sunroof. The only times it's been opened (3-4 times) is when other people get in the car and start fiddling with it. Wonder if I should still throw some grease at it?

Wish I had a ZHP with the sunroof delete option (rarity).

Probably wouldn't hurt. The biggest problem from what I've read is the heat from the sun pounding on it which apparently breaks down the lubricant over time. Less of an issue I would think in your neck of the woods...

[mimalmo]

We get plenty of sun here. Thankfully, we just don't get much of the temps that top 100 degrees. Spring to Fall temps usually stay between mid 70's to mid 90's.

I would imagine that since my car is always parked in either my garage or the covered parking ramp at the airport, the sunroof track lubrication should last for quite some time.

[pyreguy]

This is the first car I have owned that had a sunroof, not counting the ragtop in my '60 Bug. I use it on most days. I don't ever wanna be without one again!

[kayger12]

This is the first car I have owned that had a sunroof, not counting the ragtop in my '60 Bug. I use it on most days. I don't ever wanna be without one again!

No doubt, Lance. I had to button up the 325 and disconnect the switch while I debated whether I wanted to dump the $700 on a replacement cassette and spend 8 hours dropping/replacing headliner.

Hated not being able to open it up...

[JohnnyGraphic]

Mine started making noise shortly before my warranty expired. The dealership replaced the entire cassette about 2 1/2 years ago. I don't use my sunroof all that often. I should start thinking of some maintenance on it though. Mike Miller of Roundel suggests another lube. I can't recall what it is at the moment. I'll post if it ever comes to me.

Johnny

[04ZHP_PDX]

I love my sunroof. Can't think about life without it! With the rain in the NW, I can't use it as much as I would like, but still love it!

[jpawela]

Love my sunroof! I tilt it often when I park to help with ventilation. Works great now except for a very stiff sunshade. I do want to look into this lube stuff.

[Acyd]

My shade is stiff too, but a nice stiffness. Im extra careful with it, since i read they derail even before i bought the car. 105k miles and shade and sunroof still in tip top shape. I remember putting some grease into the tracks, but i cant remember what it was. Seems to have worked just fine though.

[billschusteriv]

Probably wouldn't hurt. The biggest problem from what I've read is the heat from the sun pounding on it which apparently breaks down the lubricant over time. Less of an issue I would think in your neck of the woods...

Thanks for starting the thread Keith.

My e30 had a similar thing happen - toasted the motor. I didn't even think about issues arising from having the car sit outside. I will definately have to work this in as PM.

[static667]

My sunshade tracks are broken and need to be fixed. Not only that, when I hit the button to open my roof, it makes a really loud popping sound. Kind of a 'tak, tak, tak! I don't generally go further than that to see if its opening or not. Is that the cassette or just choking on broken plastic bits?

Sent from my Samsung Fascinate using Tapatalk.

[kayger12]

My sunshade tracks are broken and need to be fixed. Not only that, when I hit the button to open my roof, it makes a really loud popping sound. Kind of a 'tak, tak, tak! I don't generally go further than that to see if its opening or not. Is that the cassette or just choking on broken plastic bits?

Sent from my Samsung Fascinate using Tapatalk.

That's the sound mine made right before one of the bowden cables snapped rendering my sunroof useless. It's most likely choking on broken bits and jamming up the roof.

I wouldn't touch that thing again until you can replace those sunshade parts.

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[static667]

Gotcha. Now I just have to get all the little bits to fix that thing.

[Simmsled]

Bump from the dead...

Does anyone know the proper 'points' to apply the lube?
Figured this would be a solid addition.

[ELCID86]

13845
:-]
Is it in that thread MsRN just posted yesterday (or the day before)?

[webster]

my sunroof is F'd. the sunshade clips broke and are stuck in the track i think. i can use the tilt function but can no longer fully open it.

really bums me out as i love using the sunroof. i am way too scared to try working on it myself and the shop quoted me $$$ to repair/replace.

is there any hope for a low cost fix?

[fredo]

Back in Dec-2005, my sunroof failed with the same symptoms (broken clips). I got the parts at the dealer for $66. For the installation, I went to my PDR guy and he charged $165. Granted, I was a customer and so he gave me a good price. At the end, I paid $231.

[NorCalZman]

13845
:-]
Is it in that thread MsRN just posted yesterday (or the day before)?


Haha great pic. I am saving that for later use.

I saw the bimmerforums post he posted but it appears to be more about fixing a broken sunroof rather than "apply grease here here and here"

[kayger12]

my sunroof is F'd. the sunshade clips broke and are stuck in the track i think. i can use the tilt function but can no longer fully open it.

really bums me out as i love using the sunroof. i am way too scared to try working on it myself and the shop quoted me $$$ to repair/replace.

is there any hope for a low cost fix?

If the plastic bowden cable channel is busted I've seen it fixed with epoxy.

If the bowden cable snapped, then I don't think there's an easy fix.

I'll try to dig up the link for you when I get home.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[kayger12]

my sunroof is F'd. the sunshade clips broke and are stuck in the track i think. i can use the tilt function but can no longer fully open it.

really bums me out as i love using the sunroof. i am way too scared to try working on it myself and the shop quoted me $$$ to repair/replace.

is there any hope for a low cost fix?

Have a look here.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpost.php?p=12640551&postcount=6

[Oli77]

Bump from the dead...

Does anyone know the proper 'points' to apply the lube?



I also wonder about that. Put the lube on top of the rails where the sunshade clips ride? That's nice and clean and dry currently on my car.

[Oli77]

Bumpy.

[danewilson77]

The preventative maintenance I perform.

1. Lube top rails.
2. Use is sparingly.
3. Don't let passengers mess around with it.

Samsung Galaxy S5...

[NorCalZman]

I also wonder about that. Put the lube on top of the rails where the sunshade clips ride? That's nice and clean and dry currently on my car.

If its the sunshade clips that break and cause part of the issues, wouldnt it make sense to lube the sunshade track as well as the sunroof track? So both? Dane, does that sound right? I am going to buy that Tri-Flow lube that you linked us to.

[Stewbie]

The preventative maintenance I perform.

3. Don't let passengers mess around with it.

ROTFL


Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

[zhp05jb]

Just order the lube from Amazon.

[Newjack]

Reviving this for anyone with interest. ECS tuning just sent me an email about a refresh kit. I don't know that I would buy a kit from them because of high shipping costs, but they do have all of the OEM part numbers which might come in handy.

Its too much work to copy and paste everything from my phone, but here's the link.

http://www.ecstuning.com/News/BMW_E46_Sunroof_Repair_Kit_1999_2000_2001_2002_200 3/?utm_source=emailcampaign&utm_medium=marketing&utm_content=retail&utm_campaign=BMW_E46_SunroofRepairKit

[Hermes]

I fixed mine

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/330Ci%20Mysticblau/62B1FFB9-BDAC-40BD-8A12-1892EE27366C.jpg

:p

[ryankokesh]

I fixed mine

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/330Ci%20Mysticblau/62B1FFB9-BDAC-40BD-8A12-1892EE27366C.jpg

:p

Watch out, we got ourselves a comedian here :p

My sunshade majigger broke and fubared the whole operation. Replaced it and lubed the tracks and I'm back in business soaking up dem rayz.


Sent from my iPhone

[Oli77]

JP, you don't need that piece of carbon fiber on the front passenger seat?

[Hermes]

JP, you don't need that piece of carbon fiber on the front passenger seat?

Hahaha, that was the day it arrived. Cf has since been installed

[Stewbie]

For shits and giggles I decided to pull off the sunroof and check the shade slider components. Since I've owned the car, the shade has never gone all the way forward. Here's what I found:

This is as far forward as it goes. It's not far enough forward to access the bolts for the rear slider, so I can't remove the shade.

http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh619/Stewbie2000/Sunroof/IMG_20150710_124953438_zpsfa7a75a2.jpg (http://s1254.photobucket.com/user/Stewbie2000/media/Sunroof/IMG_20150710_124953438_zpsfa7a75a2.jpg.html)

From this picture, you can see why the shade doesn't come all the way forward. The slide driver (this is the part that pulls the shade back when you open the sunroof) used to move another 2 inches forward, but the dust and dirt indicates that it hasn't done so in a long time.

http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh619/Stewbie2000/Sunroof/IMG_20150710_125510256_zps294f2d23.jpg (http://s1254.photobucket.com/user/Stewbie2000/media/Sunroof/IMG_20150710_125510256_zps294f2d23.jpg.html)

Any thoughts on why the slide driver isn't coming forward all the way?

[ELCID86]

All cleaned and lubed? No broken parts? Isn't there a way to reset the motor mechanism?


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[Stewbie]

Okay. Figured out how to remove the "wiper" which gave me enough room to get at the bolts for the rear shade slider. Then I was able to remove the shade. The driver and passenger side sliders are all intact and seem to be in decent shape.

From inside the car I can see this:

http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh619/Stewbie2000/Sunroof/IMG_20150710_172443935_zpse6882895.jpg (http://s1254.photobucket.com/user/Stewbie2000/media/Sunroof/IMG_20150710_172443935_zpse6882895.jpg.html)

The slide driver's forward movement is limited by the coil-screw-spring thing with the yellow tip. I'm guessing this part is controlled by the motor. This DIY (http://www.lincomatic.com/e46sunroof/e46sunroof.html)talks about adjusting the sunroof motor. Its not clear from the description whether this adjustment affects the glass panel or the shade or both. Does anyone know more about this? My glass panel was working fine.

[brettbimmer]

It's been a couple of years, but I have been in there (as far as you are currently) to replace a broken slide on the driver's side of the shade (PN# 54 13 8 246 027) as shown in the DIY link above. As I recall, it was tough to see the broken plastic piece in the track from the old slide which was thus causing the problem for me. I have searched my photos but don't seem to have any of this repair. That said, I do have the old part listed above (I replaced both while I was in there and kept the one intact) and can get another photo or two for you if you need it. Otherwise you may have good luck with the images here: http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/54_13_8_246_027/ES157696/

Also, I did not re-calibrate the roof, but from the DIY link above it has to incorporate both the glass panel as well as the sliding shade in the recalibration as they normally move in tandem. That said, if the shade movement is impeded with glass panel in the fully-closed position (or mechanism in the fully-closed position with the glass panel removed), it sounds like something is not right and needs to be dealt with first. Again, I remember that part being in a few pieces which was causing my shade troubles. Let me know if I can answer any other questions.

[Stewbie]

Thanks for your post. I've inspected the part you referenced. Both are fully intact. One is a little worn on the edge that contacts the slide driver, but nothing serious.

Here is another photo where I've moved the slide driver back an inch or so by hand.

http://i1254.photobucket.com/albums/hh619/Stewbie2000/Sunroof/IMG_20150710_203923971_zps78ca101a.jpg (http://s1254.photobucket.com/user/Stewbie2000/media/Sunroof/IMG_20150710_203923971_zps78ca101a.jpg.html)

When I move the slide driver forward, its stopped by the yellow-tipped coil thing. I'm fairly confident that this is what is stopping my shade from closing all the way. How I adjust or fix the yellow-tipped coil remains a mystery. :)

[Stewbie]

While sleeping on it, it occurred to me that I had the mechanism in the tilt up position to get the glass off. I lowered it and the yellow-tip coil retracted towards the front of the car. I was then able to move the slide driver fully forward by hand. Doing so cleaned up the dirt that had been accumulating in the slide drivers path. I scraped out a bit of extra grime, vacuumed it up and reinstalled the sunshade. It now moves fully forward by hand. Although my sliders were in decent shape I though I might as well replace them while I'm in there, that is until I saw the price. The local dealer wants CDN $88 + 12% tax for the sliders! At that price I think I'll just lube things up and keep using the original sliders till they break.

[BMWCurves]

So the issue was just the grime?

[ELCID86]

While sleeping on it, it occurred to me that I had the mechanism in the tilt up position to get the glass off. I lowered it and the yellow-tip coil retracted towards the front of the car. I was then able to move the slide driver fully forward by hand. Doing so cleaned up the dirt that had been accumulating in the slide drivers path. I scraped out a bit of extra grime, vacuumed it up and reinstalled the sunshade. It now moves fully forward by hand. Although my sliders were in decent shape I though I might as well replace them while I'm in there, that is until I saw the price. The local dealer wants CDN $88 + 12% tax for the sliders! At that price I think I'll just lube things up and keep using the original sliders till they break.

Nice! Good call.


Thumbs, iPhone, TaT.

[Stewbie]

FYI - In my Google searches I came across the following in the comments section of Pelican Parts E30 sunroof DIY (http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/101-Projects-78-Sunroof/101-Projects-78-Sunroof.htm). Though I'd leave it here in case it helps anyone.


Comments: I have a 325i 2004 and my sunroof moves 1 inch at a time. open and close. i can still move it to all positions by pressing button many times.
July 6, 2015

Followup from the Pelican Staff: Try to initialize it.

--Push the sunroof button in the up (tilt) direction and hold. After approximately 20 seconds the sunroof panel will make a small down-up movement. Release the button for no more than 5 seconds and push and hold it in the up (tilt) direction again.
--The roof will run through a full open and close cycle.
Once this cycle is completed, the initialization and adaptation is complete.

- Nick at Pelican Parts