advice on cleaning Sunroof cables of felt and grease.

[jgurnari]

I took out my sunroof cables.

They have felt and grease the full length of the cables, I read that the felt should have been removed, whomever worked on sunroof greased the channels as well... How can I remove the felt and grease "easily"?

When I tried to push the cable back into the tunnel to the motor, cable kept bending and would not push through, ...Im assuming the cable tunnel to the motor is all gunked up. What can I use to clean the tunnel to the motor of gunk?..I loooog pipe cleaner would help of course! ...such a thing?

The original issue was one side of the sunroof was loose, I found that a bracket was missing a bolt, in picture, need to find another bolt and nut. Can i purchase just the nut and bolt?

[Mike Andrew]

IIRC there was a thread several years ago that suggested using fire to remove the felt on the newer cables. I could be wrong. I just pulled the felt off of my replacement cables.

Small round brush with additional wire on the handle and some brake cleaner? I don't remember how long the tunnels are.

[jgurnari]

Fire, Exactly what I was thinking! Then I did use brake cleaner. Found that you can grab one end of the felt and it unravels, seen in attached video link, all you need to do is spin the cable in your hand as you pull the felt..its one strand. I anchored the felt and spun the cable as I walked away from It. easy as long as there is no break in the strand...just start again.

https://youtu.be/ftNzpUt7N68

Still trying to find a way to clean the tunnel to the motor.

[PopsRacer]

The tube/tunnel - degrease it first.

Spray the cleaner in, let it sit, then rinse in hot water. You need a long tube brush to get in there. Rinse frequently.
Run a cable in and out to see how its going.
If you think you have mild rust in there, fill the tube with a white vinegar solution. Let it sit for an hour or two. (Or overnight!) Then brush it out and rinse. If you have a large enough pan to soak it all at once, do that. McMaster Carr has all kinds of tube brushes in various lengths.

I had good luck getting cables cleaned up with purple zep degreaser and a brass brush and a dental
pick, some if the felt came out easily, some did not.

Definitely degrease and scrub the channels (guides) as well if you have any doubts.

Keep the vinegar (or any rust remover) off of the cable ends as it will remove the zinc plating.

Gd lk!

[jgurnari]

which de-grease cleaner do you recommend in the tube tunnel? how would you reach the tunnel to get it in? Thanks so much... very helpful!

QUOTE=PopsRacer;12467644]The tube/tunnel - degrease it first.

Spray the cleaner in, let it sit, then rinse in hot water. You need a long tube brush to get in there. Rinse frequently.
Run a cable in and out to see how its going.
If you think you have mild rust in there, fill the tube with a white vinegar solution. Let it sit for an hour or two. (Or overnight!) Then brush it out and rinse. If you have a large enough pan to soak it all at once, do that. McMaster Carr has all kinds of tube brushes in various lengths.

I had good luck getting cables cleaned up with purple zep degreaser and a brass brush and a dental
pick, some if the felt came out easily, some did not.

Definitely degrease and scrub the channels (guides) as well if you have any doubts.

Keep the vinegar (or any rust remover) off of the cable ends as it will remove the zinc plating.

Gd lk![/QUOTE]

[jgurnari]

Possible to purchase this rubber cover? improvise?

[john walker's workshop]

Shrink tubing.

[PopsRacer]

I’ve had good luck using Purple Zep degreaser to get the stuff off of the cables and out of the tubes & guides.

For brushes you can try any of the ’sunroof drain’ brushes that are for sale online or check out the various listings at McMaster-Carr like these:

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/tube-brushes/overall-length~36/overall-length~30-1-2/overall-length~28/overall-length~26/brush-diameter~3-8/brush-diameter~1-2/brush-diameter~1-4/bristle-material~nylon/?s=brass+tube+brushes

[PopsRacer]

Originally Posted by jgurnari

Possible to purchase this rubber cover? improvise?

shrink tubing (as prev suggested) or perhaps a piece of vacuum line could work if you want something thicker?