Sunroof issue

997at · 10-19-2023, 08:16 PM

Hi All. My sunroof has always worked well. I haven't done anything to it except replace the seals about 3 years ago. I hadn't opened it in a while and when I tried today, the inner headliner panel unclipped from the metal sunroof panel allowing the roof panel to retract separately while the headliner stayed in place. At first I thought it was an easy fix...just slide the panel back and reattach the clips. The problem is that the panel will not retract behind the roof panel to allow the clips to line up with their holes. Also, if you can't retract the headliner panel behind the roof panel then you can't undo the sunroof panel to take everything apart.
What should I do next?
Pic attached.

917_Langheck · 917_Langheck's Garage

It is possible to remove the headliner panel through the interior side of the opening, which should allow you to fully exercise the exterior sunroof panel. That may allow you to find the position to coax the interior panel back under the sunroof and back into place.

The leading edge of the interior panel is fairly bendy, but watch out for the clips cutting into the panel paint or the headliner along the edge of the opening.

David Inc. · 10-20-2023, 04:34 AM

I haven't tried out the interior, but you can get it out of the exterior for sure. If you put the sunroof all of the way back and undo the trim pieces (like you have shown there) then you can lift the rails up just enough to slide the headliner straight out with almost no bending at all. The owner of Classic 9 showed me that trick, great shop and great guy.

Before you do that put a bunch of painter's tape on the sunroof where lifting it up might bang it into the body.

And be grateful the headliner bound up with it going that direction and not while closing, mine did and the sunroof thought it was "closed" and slammed up into the body. Had to repaint the sunroof!

997at · 10-20-2023, 02:15 PM

Hi guys. Just wanted to post for closure and FYI for others on the future. I was able to finally (after 3 hours of fiddling and cussing) figure out what was stopping the headliner panel from retracting behind the sunroof panel. Once the headliner panel gets in front of the sunroof panel there are two metal spring tabs built in to the headliner panel on each side towards the front of the panel that spring up and prevent you from moving the panel back under the sunroof guides. I had to hold these tabs down while inching the headliner panel back behind the guides. Once behind the guides, all set and I could reattach the front clips on the headliner panel and sunroof back to normal as if nothing happened.

Matt at Pelican Parts · 10-20-2023, 02:36 PM

Glad you were able to remedy the issue by simply reattaching the clips by holding down the tabs. It looks like we have a pretty good technical article detailing repairs to the sunroof which might be handy to reference in the future. It details pretty much removing and replacing + adjusting the whole system including the clips/tabs.
PORSCHE 911 SUNROOF REPAIR

Quote:

Originally Posted by 997at

Hi guys. Just wanted to post for closure and FYI for others on the future. I was able to finally (after 3 hours of fiddling and cussing) figure out what was stopping the headliner panel from retracting behind the sunroof panel. Once the headliner panel gets in front of the sunroof panel there are two metal spring tabs built in to the headliner panel on each side towards the front of the panel that spring up and prevent you from moving the panel back under the sunroof guides. I had to hold these tabs down while inching the headliner panel back behind the guides. Once behind the guides, all set and I could reattach the front clips on the headliner panel and sunroof back to normal as if nothing happened.