Sunroof Gears Replacement with Photos

[951 Scott]

I recently tackled replacing my worn out sunroof gears..below is a sequence of photos which follow the Clark's garage instructions....total time on this job was about an hour and cost was $14.50 + shipping from Pelican Parts.

Tools Needed:

1.) Phillips Head Screwdriver
2.) Pliers to remove old gears

Tip #1 - when installing the arms, ensure that the sunroof drive gear (viewable thru a hole in the insulated metal tube/cable with sound reducing foam cover, illustrated on the left and right of the motor in the 2nd picture in the initial post in this thread) is in the extreme up position and set both lifting arms on the 2nd to last tooth when in contact with the gears. This will ensure that the lifting arms work in unison and lift the roof evenly prior to putting the motor plates back on.

Tip #2 - see last photo for actual reason why these gears break...it is not crappy engineering....it usually a passenger.

Sunroof removed weather stripping and interior trim removed exposing the sunroof motors



Sunroof motor - just 5 screws to remove the plate, to view drive gear position look for a view hole next to the motor on the passenger side



Motor plate removed exposing the damage gear



Old gear with broken teeth next to new gear



Last photo is of the drain tube..which had separated from the drain, I reattached it and secured it with a zip tie



Suspected Actual Reason these gears break is standing next to my car!!!!!! MY Son....Mr. Button Pusher himself TIM

[Born2bwild1191]

Thank you sir. I'll be needing to do this very soon, and this'll help. Thanks!

[desertt5]

I did mine a while back. I would advise NOT to ignore Clark's garage procedure to adjust the torque at the motor. Mine worked great till the first time I went to remove the roof. I now have to replace another gear.

[nize]

great writeup, adding to the 951 reference list!

[JonA]

Adjust the motor torque as per Clarke's Garage, otherwise you will be doing this again. Don't be throwing that poor little kid under the bus. He did not cause the gear failure!!

Jon

[desertt5]

Originally Posted by JonA

Adjust the motor torque as per Clarke's Garage, otherwise you will be doing this again. Don't be throwing that poor little kid under the bus. He did not cause the gear failure!!

Jon

The kid does look kinda guilty.

[WizPorsche944]

About how much time does this actually take to do ?

[Pettybird]

that's a very nice car...

[Rasta Monsta]

Originally Posted by JonA

Adjust the motor torque as per Clarke's Garage

+1, but I'll take that one step further. Loosen the slip clutch completely, and tighten it only as much as is needed to lift the roof. I wouldn't even trust the factory torque settings after the clutch grease has dried for 30 years.

[IB RearWheelin]

beautiful 944

[massive]

If anyone needs a tutorial for the earlier 944 sunroof mechanism you can find it here 944 Foot To The Floor: How to repair sunroof on a Porsche 944 (Square Dash model)