destroyed sunroof trying to adjust, need advice

[Vincent Brick]

My sunroof was starting to get a little stiff while cranking, so on the recommendation from someone here on the forum I tried to adjust it, and in the process managed to break the entire thing to where it doesn't work at all. I broke plastic side rail that attaches to the roof panel, the crank mechanism only clicks when you try to retract it, when you try to tilt up only the drivers side goes up, and the headliner panel well not get into place. Can someone please break it down for me what steps i need to take to get this working? I am so lost and confidence is at an all-time low.

I am horribly distraught over this, as it is the car consumes every bit of free time I have racing to get one thing fixed before more shit breaks. I posted in the sunroof thread in the FAQ forum but I don't know how much traffic that area gets.

Thank you.

[DesertBMW]

My sunroof was starting to get a little stiff while cranking, so on the recommendation from someone here on the forum I tried to adjust it, and in the process managed to break the entire thing to where it doesn't work at all. I am so lost and confidence is at an all-time low.

First thing for you was to use common sense, and lubricate the entire mechanism rather than forcing 25 year old plastic.

I am horribly distraught over this,
Thank you.

You wanted to feel this way, if you weren't than you would just leave the thing shut and never use it.

Now what you can do is remove the top panel by removing 6 screws holding it, you would have to pretty much damage headliner that is attached to it. Once the panel is removed from the top, you can get to rest of mechanism.

I have good used plastic rails and cables if you want to buy them.

[Vincent Brick]

First thing for you was to use common sense, and lubricate the entire mechanism rather than forcing 25 year old plastic.

I didn't force anything, and I found no instructions how to lubricate anything, when I asked no one told me I had to lubricate anything, I'm not a mind reader, I feel I was using common sense. The side rail only broke because the left rear bolt holding on the roof panel was sized into the brass insert in the plastic rail and snapped from the pressure as I was trying to loosen it. I read nothing to indicate that to be a potential issue as I did my research before jumping into this. I read everything I could find on Google before starting.

You wanted to feel this way, if you weren't than you would just leave the thing shut and never use it.

Is this to mean I am correct when I procrastinate working on this car because I know I'm just going to be pissed off? That's pretty much how it is, I do not enjoy working on vehicles, and I don't have the time to devote to it, but I'm too anal retentive to just let shit go, so I have to at least try to fix it. I'm not sure exactly what you mean though.

Now what you can do is remove the top panel by removing 6 screws holding it, you would have to pretty much damage headliner that is attached to it. Once the panel is removed from the top, you can get to rest of mechanism.

I have good used plastic rails and cables if you want to buy them.

So I am going to have to get a new headliner too? Or are you talking the part with the sunroof? How would I have to further damage that? That part isn't destroyed, its just more damaged than it already was. I can get to that part of the mechanism just fine, I just don't know how what I need to do with the front part. I'm trying to do more research but I'm so pissed I'm having a little trouble with it.

I guess I probably need those rails. is the skipping when cranking back telling me that my cables are now stripped? Are the cables and rails one piece each side? What would cause only one side to pop up? How does one get the headliner panel to slide forward back into place? The closest I could get it was was still an inch further back then it needed to be for the clips to go back in.

Thanks for any help, despite your condescending tone.

[DinoSZ]

http://e30.bmwdiy.info/sunroof-adjust/index.html

[DesertBMW]

I didn't force anything, and I found no instructions how to lubricate anything, when I asked no one told me I had to lubricate anything, I'm not a mind reader, I feel I was using common sense. .

You did force enough to brake it or it already broke because of too much stress on old plastics do to lack of lubrication. No one needs to tell you to lubricate a dry mechanism that has hard time moving. Common sense would be to at least spray some WD40 on there, get the things moving. Common servicing of the sunroof to open it fully clean all the railings, lube it lightly close it, it will last forever like that.

[Vincent Brick]

http://e30.bmwdiy.info/sunroof-adjust/index.html

That is one of the articles/posts I went off of when initially attempting this. Thank you though.

You did force enough to brake it or it already broke because of too much stress on old plastics do to lack of lubrication. No one needs to tell you to lubricate a dry mechanism that has hard time moving. Common sense would be to at least spray some WD40 on there, get the things moving. Common servicing of the sunroof to open it fully clean all the railings, lube it lightly close it, it will last forever like that.

WD40 isn't supposed to be used as a lubricant, your claim that using it would be "common sense" reduces your credibility. If anything, the one lubricant I have seen people mention using on E30 sunroofs is bicycle grease, but I can't figure out where it is supposed to actually go. Besides, it broke while trying to loosen a bolt, not from moving the mechanism, so lubrication doesn;t even come into play with that. Would you like to tell me where I am supposed to lube, or would you like me to keep guessing so you can further ridicule me later? Did you have any intention of helping, or did you just feel the need to kick someone while they're down and try to sell them some parts along the way?


So I will ask again, does anyone know what would cause only one side of a sunroof to pop up? Can anyone explain to me what/where is supposed to be lubricated and what type of lubricant to use? Even the full-time independent BMW mechanics I know have no experience with E30 sunroofs.

Thank you very much.

[efficient]

First thing for you was to use common sense, and lubricate the entire mechanism rather than forcing 25 year old plastic.



You wanted to feel this way, if you weren't than you would just leave the thing shut and never use it.

Now what you can do is remove the top panel by removing 6 screws holding it, you would have to pretty much damage headliner that is attached to it. Once the panel is removed from the top, you can get to rest of mechanism.

I have good used plastic rails and cables if you want to buy them.

Lol tells op that he's dumb then tries to sell to him

Good luck finding parts for the us roof because they are hard to come by if you want them new

[Vincent Brick]

I don't care if the parts I need are new or used, just as long as I can get it working again ASAP. I'm hoping the junkyard by me has a manual sunroof car I can snag stuff from, that would also give me a better understanding of how this all works before I take my own car apart any further. Fortunately I think I found someone I know IRL with E30 sunroof knowledge.

I had always wanted a daily driver with a sunroof, had this car for a few months now and I just can't live without it.

[Cletonius]

WD40 isn't supposed to be used as a lubricant, your claim that using it would be "common sense" reduces your credibility.

WD-40 can be used to get stuff moving in a pinch. Don't be an ass.

Here's a link to my copy of the moon roof installation manual, it discusses how to remove and reinstall the entire mechanism.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bplertm0lcjbcms/moonroof.pdf?dl=0

Additionally, the link already posted is pretty good. You need to be careful when working on old brittle plastic parts.

[DesertBMW]

WD40 isn't supposed to be used as a lubricant, your claim that using it would be "common sense" reduces your credibility.

That is why you use WD40 eventually it will dry up. Idea is to moisten the plastic and dry moving parts for short period of time. Dry plastic will absorb WD40 and that will prevent it from further degradation, then you repeat the procedure 4 times a year.

[Vincent Brick]

How about go fuck yourself, troll. I didn't come here to be ridiculed by some insecure asshole with a superiority complex looking to start a fight. Learn some fucking manners.

[E30NJ]

How about go fuck yourself, troll. I didn't come here to be ridiculed by some insecure asshole with a superiority complex looking to start a fight. Learn some fucking manners.

Well said.

[smooth]

Can anyone explain to me what/where is supposed to be lubricated and what type of lubricant to use?

Many bicycle lubrications are wax based, some are actual "grease" but you wouldn't want to use that. I'd also recommend silicon based lubricants.

I would not recommend WD40 but I know lots of people who use it for everything. I'm sure it would get something moving but even if it soaked into the plastic it'd leave behind sticky residue that would eventually pick up more dirt and grime and cause even more problems than when you started.

[cirrusblue]

Moral support

Yes, sorry you had trouble with that, I got myself into a little pinch and nobody seems to be too much of an expert on sunroofs so I didn't get any help. But I do hear silicone lubricant is good for the plastic if you do get it sorted out.

I guess basically I'm not a troll, so hope you don't slam the board most folks are quite nice. You may have to $$ and bring it in to a bmw tech if you want to save yourself the stress. Once in a while I think it saves me from myself!

[cirrusblue]

Actually that moon roof repair guide is awesome!!!!! Triple thumbs for posting that. I broke off the eclip behind the sunroof handle pulling too hard and need to deal with it someday. At this point,I just leave it closed.