I turned a simple sunroof leak into a nightmare
01-14-10, 01:17 PM
#1
I turned a simple sunroof leak into a nightmare
Yesterday i decided i was going to repair the leak in my sunroof. I had not messed with it since I got the car running a few months ago. I could hear the motor trying to open the panel, but nothing moved.
I take my wrench and force it open and notice the left side popped up half way and isn't moving at all. So i asked my wife to turn the wrench while I pulled on the back of it. 3 seconds later there was a pop and the left side now moves up and down too freely. Yes, I broke the piece that connects the panel to the rail.
After that I tore out my headliner and removed the whole assembly.
Using two cans of brake cleaner and half a can of PB Blaster i think I got it pretty clean and well lubed. Still the left side will no budge. It will not close either. It is stuck open. and now the right side it stuck too.
It's supposed to rain here tomorrow (which is why i wanted to fix the leak) and i have hole in my roof, and parts all over the car.
I've called every salvage yard in Memphis and even several in Nashville. No second gens to be found.
To top it off, the clutch went out in my truck last week too. so now the only ride I have is a 1970 Honda motorcycle in the middle of winter.
If anyone has some little trick to get this thing moving I'd sure be interested.
If anyone has a sunroof assembly, let me know ASAP. I know it won't be here by tomorrow, but I need one quick.
I take my wrench and force it open and notice the left side popped up half way and isn't moving at all. So i asked my wife to turn the wrench while I pulled on the back of it. 3 seconds later there was a pop and the left side now moves up and down too freely. Yes, I broke the piece that connects the panel to the rail.
After that I tore out my headliner and removed the whole assembly.
Using two cans of brake cleaner and half a can of PB Blaster i think I got it pretty clean and well lubed. Still the left side will no budge. It will not close either. It is stuck open. and now the right side it stuck too.
It's supposed to rain here tomorrow (which is why i wanted to fix the leak) and i have hole in my roof, and parts all over the car.
I've called every salvage yard in Memphis and even several in Nashville. No second gens to be found.
To top it off, the clutch went out in my truck last week too. so now the only ride I have is a 1970 Honda motorcycle in the middle of winter.
If anyone has some little trick to get this thing moving I'd sure be interested.
If anyone has a sunroof assembly, let me know ASAP. I know it won't be here by tomorrow, but I need one quick.
01-14-10, 05:54 PM
#2
You can download the factory service manual and the parts catalog here:
http://foxed.ca/foxed/index.php?page=rx7manual
Check the linkages to see if any are binding or broken. For parts, Mazda is your best bet if you can't find something in a salvage yard.
http://foxed.ca/foxed/index.php?page=rx7manual
Check the linkages to see if any are binding or broken. For parts, Mazda is your best bet if you can't find something in a salvage yard.
01-14-10, 08:35 PM
#4
sounds like you snapped the cable that pulls the sunroof down the track 
same thing happened to me, good luck finding another cable, better off replacing the whole thing (or having a body shop shave it completely, sunroofs suck./rant) since its already trash, just force it back down by pushing it while someone cranks the handle, a large flathead screwdriver could be helpful. That should at least keep you from drowning till your replacement arrives.
Also, get some clear silicone sealant and run a ring around the edge.
same thing happened to me, good luck finding another cable, better off replacing the whole thing (or having a body shop shave it completely, sunroofs suck./rant) since its already trash, just force it back down by pushing it while someone cranks the handle, a large flathead screwdriver could be helpful. That should at least keep you from drowning till your replacement arrives.
Also, get some clear silicone sealant and run a ring around the edge.
01-14-10, 08:48 PM
#5
Actually after working on it some more, I learned that the left cable is stuck with crud and rust inside it's tube. I am soaking it in PB Blaster over night, but i think I'm going to have to buy another sliding assembly.
I'm one tantrum away from taking the panel out and driving to a body shop to have it welded in. I have an offer from another member for the assembly for $50. I doubt i can get a shop to weld that up for less than that. But that would save me something like 30 pounds way up top.
I'm one tantrum away from taking the panel out and driving to a body shop to have it welded in. I have an offer from another member for the assembly for $50. I doubt i can get a shop to weld that up for less than that. But that would save me something like 30 pounds way up top.
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