SC Sunroof Questions-Don't think these have been covered

[rs6er]

So I just took apart my sunroof. I have owned this car from new. I know that the only thing done to the roof was a cable (still old style cables) and deflector replacement a long time ago.

1. Are the tracks anodized. I'd love to polish them but don't want to remove anodizing in the process.

2. Is there supposed to be any adhesive on them. Mine had dried out double sided tape on them towards the back. Did the mechanic put this on?

3. The tracks were crimped so that I had a hard time removing the cables from the tracks. Did the mechanic do this to pervent them from pulling out?

4. I removed the cables and guides. There was rust on the cables which Icleaned off. Do the cables need to be greased or oiled? If so, what should I use?

I will have more questions about the sunroof panel liner later.

Sorry about the iPhone picture.

[rs6er]

Bump for you sunroof experts

[canamfan]

I'm not an expert, but I removed my entire unit (just to clean it up & lubricate as well as to touch up some paint around the edges). Anyway, I

[canamfan]

(oops) I went ahead & polished the rails to fine state (can't tell you if they're anodized), cleaned it well, sprayed with quality silicone and lubed with a light (thin) oil. The entire rail system was polished looks great and works perfect. I greased the cables BTW.

[uwanna]

Cables and slides are NOT meant to be greased! Grease just gathers dirt and grit and gums up the works! Ask me how I know. Also do a search on sunroofs, and you will find this advice over and over.

[rs6er]

I removed and cleaned the cable "Tunnels" and just wiped the cables with a rag that had a drop of very light oil on it. Otherwise I couldn't get the cables to slide into the tunnels.

[uwanna]

Originally Posted by rs6er

So I just took apart my sunroof. I have owned this car from new. I know that the only thing done to the roof was a cable (still old style cables) and deflector replacement a long time ago.

1. Are the tracks anodized. I'd love to polish them but don't want to remove anodizing in the process.

2. Is there supposed to be any adhesive on them. Mine had dried out double sided tape on them towards the back. Did the mechanic put this on?

3. The tracks were crimped so that I had a hard time removing the cables from the tracks. Did the mechanic do this to pervent them from pulling out?

4. I removed the cables and guides. There was rust on the cables which Icleaned off. Do the cables need to be greased or oiled? If so, what should I use?

I will have more questions about the sunroof panel liner later.

Sorry about the iPhone picture.

2. the adhesive tape is put on at the factory. Also, if you remove the slides, make sure the "pins" are in the back ends, and coated with a sealant when reinstalling into to holes in the back of the sunroof pan. Failure to do this will give you mystery water leaks.
3. the crimps are normal from the factory.

[fredmo1947]

Originally Posted by uwanna

Cables and slides are NOT meant to be greased! Grease just gathers dirt and grit and gums up the works! Ask me how I know. Also do a search on sunroofs, and you will find this advice over and over.

It also tends to melt and drip on to your headliner on warm days. No grease!

[rs6er]

Originally Posted by uwanna

2. the adhesive tape is put on at the factory. Also, if you remove the slides, make sure the "pins" are in the back ends, and coated with a sealant when reinstalling into to holes in the back of the sunroof pan. Failure to do this will give you mystery water leaks.
3. the crimps are normal from the factory.

Why did they use the tape, and is necessary to reapply it?

[uwanna]

Originally Posted by rs6er

I removed and cleaned the cable "Tunnels" and just wiped the cables with a rag that had a drop of very light oil on it. Otherwise I couldn't get the cables to slide into the tunnels.

Did you install "new" cables? The old "plain metal" cables are NLA, and only the later 964 type "fuzzy" cables are. On an older car, the "fuzzie cables" are a tight fit. I think you can try to remove the "fuzzies", perhaps by fire or sanding them off.
Perhaps someone who has done it can comment. Don't know which cables you used, but if the later type, that would explain the tightness.

[uwanna]

Originally Posted by rs6er

Why did they use the tape, and is necessary to reapply it?

The double sided tape, just keeps the back end from moving around. There is no type of fasterer back there, just the pin that goes thru the pan.

[rs6er]

My cables were fine. I just cleaned everything and reused them. I need to reglue the edges of the headliner around the sunroof opening and fix the headliner on the sunroof itself. It got messed up from stuff moving around inside of it. That will be my next post.