Annoying Sunroof
#1
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Annoying Sunroof
Any of you sunroof equipped guys (92-99) have a gap in the weatherstripping? Mine pulls apart and grows back together at the splice depending on temperature. Water gets in, but it doesn't matter thanks to the gutters inside, but it makes an annoying noise above 45mph or so. The dealer wants 70 bucks for a replacement!
Am I the only one with this problem, or has mine been replaced at some point incorrectly?
Am I the only one with this problem, or has mine been replaced at some point incorrectly?
#2
I had a similar problem with the roof in my 92, causing a wind leak above 40 mph
I found that there was a TSB released in 1996 for the early model sunroof seals, replacing the original sunroof seal with a newer one-piece design. The part number is 12371670 and it lists for around $71. I ordered mine through www.gmpartsdirect.com for $42 plus shipping.
For you do-it-yourselfers out there, it took about 30 minutes to install. Remove the 3 phillips screws from the front edge of the sunroof and slide the trim ring back. Open the roof to the vent position and remove the 3 phillips screws on each side of the glass... the glass will lift right out. The old seal pulls right out of the channel that runs around the edge of the glass panel, but there is quite a bit of adhesive along the side where the two ends of the seal join up. You've gotta scrape all the adhesive out of the channel before installing the new seal. Once that'* clean, press the new seal into the channel... no adhesive is necessary. You'll need a rubber mallet to set the seal properly. Once it'* in, reintstall the glass panel, but only lightly tighten the 3 screws on each side, as you'll need to cycle the roof closed a few times as you adjust the glass height and position. The panel should be flush with the top of the car, and the back of the glass should be just a little higher than the front - about 1 mm or so - to keep wind noise down. With the roof closed, you should be able to slide a business card all the way around the sunroof (between the roof and glass panel) with only slight drag. Once you have it all adjusted, tighten it up and cycle the roof a few times to make sure everything'* OK.
For me, it was $50 and an afternoon well spent. Wind noise is gone completely, and now that the drain hoses are fixed, it stays dry, too. If anyone would like full instructions from the shop manual and/or the TSB info, let me know.
- Dean
I found that there was a TSB released in 1996 for the early model sunroof seals, replacing the original sunroof seal with a newer one-piece design. The part number is 12371670 and it lists for around $71. I ordered mine through www.gmpartsdirect.com for $42 plus shipping.
For you do-it-yourselfers out there, it took about 30 minutes to install. Remove the 3 phillips screws from the front edge of the sunroof and slide the trim ring back. Open the roof to the vent position and remove the 3 phillips screws on each side of the glass... the glass will lift right out. The old seal pulls right out of the channel that runs around the edge of the glass panel, but there is quite a bit of adhesive along the side where the two ends of the seal join up. You've gotta scrape all the adhesive out of the channel before installing the new seal. Once that'* clean, press the new seal into the channel... no adhesive is necessary. You'll need a rubber mallet to set the seal properly. Once it'* in, reintstall the glass panel, but only lightly tighten the 3 screws on each side, as you'll need to cycle the roof closed a few times as you adjust the glass height and position. The panel should be flush with the top of the car, and the back of the glass should be just a little higher than the front - about 1 mm or so - to keep wind noise down. With the roof closed, you should be able to slide a business card all the way around the sunroof (between the roof and glass panel) with only slight drag. Once you have it all adjusted, tighten it up and cycle the roof a few times to make sure everything'* OK.
For me, it was $50 and an afternoon well spent. Wind noise is gone completely, and now that the drain hoses are fixed, it stays dry, too. If anyone would like full instructions from the shop manual and/or the TSB info, let me know.
- Dean
#3
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That'* EXACTLY the type of help I was looking for. I knew that splice was trouble. A one-piece seal (like the Monte Carlo) looks much better. I'll add your p/n to my growing list. Thanks, Blue.
#4
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Great information! I have the old-style seal and the associated wind noise, so I might need to do this replacement too.
I've added your instructions to the TechInfo section of the site.
Thanks!
I've added your instructions to the TechInfo section of the site.
Thanks!
#5
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Blue, I did mine yesterday. Worked great, your write-up was vastly superior to Chilton'*. I lightly tightened all 6, closed the roof, and had JSeabert'* kid brother watch the top while I tapped the corners up from the inside. It was a snap that way, then tightened 'em up.
I passed your write-up to the boss for posting in the Techinfo section. Figured you deserve some credit for that one.
Thanks again
I passed your write-up to the boss for posting in the Techinfo section. Figured you deserve some credit for that one.
Thanks again
#6
I just did this today after a heavy rain soaked the front of my headliner. Last year, I blew out the sunroof drain pipes, and all was fine until recently.
After the rain I finally decided to replace the original weatherstripping.
It took longer than 30 minutes, because both front screws on the side were completely rusted on. In trying to get one of them off I sheared the screw in half. Also, I matchmarked the location of the old screws so that I would have the alignment correct when I put it back on.
I finally got the screws out and the new weatherstripping on. It is different because it doesn't have a gap on one side. It is one continuous piece. What a difference. No more wind noise; I can drive around with the lower panel open and not hear anything until I open the glass. I would bet this also means no more leaks.
Now I understand why you don't need the Loctite 380 BlackMax required by my service manual, that I bought for $27. Anyone need a new bottle of Loctite 380 BlackMax?
After the rain I finally decided to replace the original weatherstripping.
It took longer than 30 minutes, because both front screws on the side were completely rusted on. In trying to get one of them off I sheared the screw in half. Also, I matchmarked the location of the old screws so that I would have the alignment correct when I put it back on.
I finally got the screws out and the new weatherstripping on. It is different because it doesn't have a gap on one side. It is one continuous piece. What a difference. No more wind noise; I can drive around with the lower panel open and not hear anything until I open the glass. I would bet this also means no more leaks.
Now I understand why you don't need the Loctite 380 BlackMax required by my service manual, that I bought for $27. Anyone need a new bottle of Loctite 380 BlackMax?
#7
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I've got a gap also. I wonder if thats what explains these mysterous puddles i get in my rear passenger side floor? I sometimes leave half full water bottles back there and had thought that they might be leaking, but the amount of wetness was no where near what the bottle would have leaked judging from the bottle itself, cap still on tight, no punctures to the bottle. sometimes there would be no bottle even. I do have about a 1/2" gap in my seal. HMMMMMM
Uhhhhh, now wheres that part #?
Uhhhhh, now wheres that part #?
#8
Not sure. Do you have wind noise when you open the lower panel, but not the glass? You may have leaks in the weatherstripping around your doors.
Sunroof weatherstrip part No: 12371670
Sunroof weatherstrip part No: 12371670
#9
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you might want to take care of that wet floor, that last thing anyone of us want to see is a rusted out floorboard...You go to sit down one day, put your feet down and BAM! You'll be driving home like the Flinstones.
#10
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LOL! Reminds my 1970 vw bug i got for $50 with NO floor boards that i drove over 50 miles on the highway to get home.
That brings up another strange occurance i seem to be having and was wondering if anyone else has it. The inner door well rubber wheatherstipping AND the actual vinyl that covers it, seem to have shrunk at about the same pace with each other. When i push it back down on the inner doorwell lip (about an inch gap) it pulls up in other places. If it was just the rubber i could see how that could shrink but the vinyl too? i sure as heck cant * it back out. When i get my car back from the shop i'll take some pictures of it.
That brings up another strange occurance i seem to be having and was wondering if anyone else has it. The inner door well rubber wheatherstipping AND the actual vinyl that covers it, seem to have shrunk at about the same pace with each other. When i push it back down on the inner doorwell lip (about an inch gap) it pulls up in other places. If it was just the rubber i could see how that could shrink but the vinyl too? i sure as heck cant * it back out. When i get my car back from the shop i'll take some pictures of it.
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