Sunroof Reinstall Issue

[rs6er]

Just put my sunroof back together after R&R. It won't close completely as right side is slightly forward of the left. Is this adjusted in the brackets attaching the roof panel? I thought the cables automatically align the roof panel.

[john walker's workshop]

drop the transmission again and push the panel all the way forward and square in the opening. then reattach the transmission and see if you got it right.

[rs6er]

Thanks John. That got it straight, but the back won't come all the way up. Could the new front seal be preventing that or is it something else? (I hope it's not those ridiculously pita rear height adjusters.)

[john walker's workshop]

weak motor, slipping clutch, rear heigh adjusters, seal bead too far down, front too high, front dragging on the seal as it hits and travels downward. some silicone spray on the seal may help. the height adjusters are not too hard really. get a 1/4 drive long extension and a 7mm socket and a long screwdriver. pry upward gently as you loosen the bolt just enough to allow the notches to pass each other and then retighten.

[DGW]

You can take the clutch apart and exercise it and put in some new grease. I did this on a 77 where the sunroof would not close properly after replacing the seals.
Its not as easy as pulling out some bolts or screws, there are some stakes you have to loosen to get it apart and then reset when you put it back together.

[rs6er]

I am not having problems with the motor or clutch. Sprayed the new seal. Rear adjusters are at max height. Front lines up perfectly. Rear is slightly lower than level.

[Mattcamp]

There are plastic guides in the back of the rails that go into holes in the rear. Are those guides broken? Seems pretty unlikely that the height adjusters are all the way up and you are still sitting low. Inspect cables at the trans gear in the closed position....maybe cable is stripped at that point??? That would suck.

[rs6er]

Cables are fine. Plastic guides are in the holes.

[porschenut]

John, are you saying that once the sunroof gets all the way to the front, the back end won't raise up at all, or that it comes up like it's supposed to but just isn't quite flush with the roof?

I reassembled my sunroof last year and installed new seals, and to this day the back end won't raise up when the panel completes its forward travel. However, if I open it up just a couple inches and then immediately re-close it, it raises up flush as expected. I'm wondering if you are experiencing the same problem, as I know others have.

[rs6er]

Originally Posted by porschenut

John, are you saying that once the sunroof gets all the way to the front, the back end won't raise up at all, or that it comes up like it's supposed to but just isn't quite flush with the roof?

I reassembled my sunroof last year and installed new seals, and to this day the back end won't raise up when the panel completes its forward travel. However, if I open it up just a couple inches and then immediately re-close it, it raises up flush as expected. I'm wondering if you are experiencing the same problem, as I know others have.

The second-—It isn't quite flush. Just enough gap for rain to get in.

I have tried moving it back and forth and trying to force it up with my hand at the same time. It worked perfectly before I disassembled in order to fix the sagging sunroof headliner.