Have disassembled the sunroof and have moer questions..

FinallyGotOne · FinallyGotOne's Garage

(79 sc)
I took the sunroof out. I noticed the driver side was all good. The passenger side metal thing had separated from the coiled wire. So I am wondering can I somehow put it back in and if so how do I make sure it is in and stays in? Next thing i noticed was that both rails at the ends look to be cut (guess thats required with the fact that the rails have to be used from a new car) but also they are banged up a bit, almost pinched. I imagine that could interfere with the sliding of the metal things. But i also think its odd that nothing holds it in at the ends. That's normal? I guess the slider things range of movement is limited when its all installed though? so no big deal I guess on the ends of the rail.?? I am attaching an image hopefully it works. Please advise. I think I will need a new rubber seal across the back side of the roof. (how to I remove the current one????) and is there supposed to be felt on the back side of the roof or opening?
Please advise thoroughly

FinallyGotOne · FinallyGotOne's Garage

Okay so I seem to be finding some answers. The cable is attached at teh factory and thats that. Cannot reattach. So I need a new passenger side cable.

The seal kit contains the 2 felt strips and the rubber seal for teh back of the rrof. I scraped it off and will clean it up tomorrow (oops thats mothers day) ...Monday night.

STILL NEED TO KNOW IF THE GUIDEs are FINE AS IS?? Thats really the only question. And this question.

In order to remove the roof I had to reach in with a flathead screwdriver and unscrew the screws on either side of the back of the roof on the thing that flips up. But I see NO WAY to screw them back in while the roof is being put back on?? Did I do something incorrect there? please advise.

FinallyGotOne · FinallyGotOne's Garage

Please forgive the spelling errors, I'm tired. And the damn "e" always wants to cut in line whenever I type "the" Sorry everyone...

fredmo1947 · fredmo1947's Garage

Have you read the tech article "Sunroof Repair" referenced in my response to your last inquiry? If not do so, all of your questions will be answered and it will be much easier for you to put things back together. Also, while you have the whole thing apart clean it thoroughly and don't use grease when you put it back together.

fredmo1947 · fredmo1947's Garage

BTW the track you are calling the guide is made of aluminum and can be straightened by carefully using a spade screwdriver and twisting ever so slightly to make the crimped area more uniform to the conform to the width of the remainder of the track. Be careful, I don't believe these parts are still available new, and they are very expensive even used!

john walker's workshop · 05-10-2009, 07:05 AM

i put those things back together all the time. the trick is to smooth out the end of the cable so it can be reinserted. sometimes, a small drill is needed to clean up the hole in the slider. don't drill it oversize. then insert the cable with a twisting motion and recrimp with side cutters. a cost-free sunroof repair in most cases.

FinallyGotOne · FinallyGotOne's Garage

Thank you everyone! I did find and read that sunroof thread. Very good instructions on the disassemble for sure. I am hesitant to put back together and recrimp as I think once it has come out, it's bound to do it again. \

JOHN WALKER - In your experience how long does the cable end repair last before popping out again? I actually do not know what a side cutter is? But I assume by drilling the hole again it rounds back out the original crimp so the cable slides on in there again, correct?

ben parrish · 05-10-2009, 10:54 AM

I repaired mine about six years ago,,pretty much like John said except I used vice grips to re-crimp. No problems since and I use the sunroof about every time I drive her in good warm weather.

FinallyGotOne · FinallyGotOne's Garage

Thanks Ben, good to know. if I coat the cable with a thin coat of JB weld before sliding it in, do you think it will help prevent it from eventually working back out??

FinallyGotOne · FinallyGotOne's Garage

coat the cable with a thin coat of JB weld before sliding it in, do you think it will help prevent it from eventually working back out??

john walker's workshop · 05-11-2009, 08:29 AM

side cutters are just wire cutters. if you look at the crimp, that looks like what was used to crimp it. don't get too carried away, just a firm crimp without cutting it through or causing much distortion. dress any outward bumps with a file so it slides smoothly in the guide rail. never had one come loose again, but JB if you feel the need.

fredmo1947 · fredmo1947's Garage

I replaced both cables about a month ago and as I recall they are about $95 each. Wish I had thought of reconnecting them, however on mine (1976 911s) the mechanisms were part metal and part nylon. The nylon piece actually had broken on one of the cables. The older style cables with the nylon mechanisms are NLA and the new ones are all brass and look more robust. Before reinstalling the old type (white nylon) cable mechanisms I would take a real close look for any cracks or damage and replace with the new ones if needed.

john walker's workshop · 05-11-2009, 01:14 PM

nothing you can do with the plastic ones except to save the cable part for future repairs on the metal style ones. same basic cable, just need to trim the part that goes past the plastic slider. then you get a clean cut end perfect for the repair.

Wavey · 02:35 PM

Rob, you and I seem to have identical project lists! I just did my sunroof a few weeks ago. I followed John's advice to reinsert and recrimp, but I also JB Welded the cable ends into the sliders (both of mine had pulled out. Let it cure overnight, and it seemed plenty solid, no problems so far. I used a small dull cold chisel (metal chisel) with a light hammer whack to recrimp.The rubber seal should just pull off, might take a bit of scraping or solvent to finish? And yes there's a felt weatherstrip at the back of the sunroof panel - glues to the rear edge of the panel before you reinstall it. It's amazing how well the sunroof works after all the grooves, cables etc. were cleaned up. They say not to lube anything, but I had some John Deere "Slip Plate", which is a spray-on dry graphite coating. I coated the cables and the groove in the track with that, and the thing is really smooth and much quieter.