Sunroof rattle is killing me

S

Sonicpilz

New member
Anybody find a good fix on this? It just started about 4 days ago and seems to be getting worse. I've seen in some searches people got some kind of sunroof recall. Mine is a 03 with 120k miles I doubt I'd qualify for one. I also saw a thread about some kind of spacers but the pictures would not show up.

This chatterbox is driving me crazy!!
 
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I've been experiencing the same problem. Haven't been brave enough to take down the headliner and pinpoint it further. I'm interested in a fix too.. as mine seems to be getting worse
 
Don't know if this will help, but a couple of months ago i heard a weird rattle too coming from the sunroof. Turned out it was a loose knob that needed to be tightened on the front end of the roof rack near the sunroof. So check all those knobs on the roof rack near the sunroof and make sure they are all tight!
 
I don't think that is my problem. If I push up towards the back of the sunroof glass while it is rattling, it will stop.
 
As im sure people in here have written, this is a very common issue with the 03-04's. My wife's 2003 has this, and when i bought it in 2006 with only 16k on it, it did it then as well.

Ive read that it's caused by the cables in the moonroof housing, as well as some other possibilities, but they all revolve around the moonroof's internal hardware.

As for fixes, ive read about some people using rubber o-rings, cutting them so that the cable-in-question is immoblized, some using thick grease (as they never open theirs anyways but just want that rattle to cease).

Ive read this was fixed in the 05-06 4Runners.
 
YotaRunner03 said:
I don't think that is my problem. If I push up towards the back of the sunroof glass while it is rattling, it will stop.
Click to expand...

I had this problem as well as the roof rack rattle. I solved the roof rack issue by skewing the sides a little bit to keep the crossmember tight and then tightening the knobs. I solved the moonroof rattle by parking under a 100' maple tree during a storm... :crybaby:

39165_1555699737765_1393359537_31487055_331483_n.jpg~original
 
lexmedic157 said:
Can you post a pic where the knobs are, or what you tightened? Mine's rattling too!
Click to expand...

OK i attached some pics. The top pic has a red circle of where the loose knob was. The bottom pic has a red circle where the knob is and a blue circle showing the cross bar that rattles when the knob is loose. After i tightened that knob the noise ceased! Hope this helps!
 

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gaberelli said:
I had this problem as well as the roof rack rattle. I solved the roof rack issue by skewing the sides a little bit to keep the crossmember tight and then tightening the knobs. I solved the moonroof rattle by parking under a 100' maple tree during a storm... :crybaby:

39165_1555699737765_1393359537_31487055_331483_n.jpg~original
Click to expand...

I actually stumbled upon your thread a while back. Was your 4runner totaled? I think you had a pic that showed the whole back roof crushed in. That sucks :(
 
4Runners said:
I actually stumbled upon your thread a while back. Was your 4runner totaled? I think you had a pic that showed the whole back roof crushed in. That sucks :(
Click to expand...

My insurance company decided to put $18,000 into it and repair it. I hardly paid that 2.5 years ago with 60,000 fewer miles! Oh well, the shop did a great job and I got a new non-squeaking moonroof!

****thread derailer, over and out****
 
gaberelli said:
My insurance company decided to put $18,000 into it and repair it. I hardly paid that 2.5 years ago with 60,000 fewer miles! Oh well, the shop did a great job and I got a new non-squeaking moonroof!

****thread derailer, over and out****
Click to expand...

At least it all turned out great. Good to hear!
 
Mine is definitely the sunroof. I got my wife to drive it for me while I watched it and I can see the sunroof moving up and down when it makes the noise. I cant seem to put my finger on it though. I saw that thread about the washers but NONE of the pictures will show up so I have no idea what its talking about.

Anybody have any experience with the recall?
 
I had this issue on my 03 sport. There was a very effective fix on this forum which I used and never had the problem again.
I will try to explain.
If you slide sunroof open, there is a aluminum rod at the left rail (outside of it). this is what makes noise. This rod ruttles against the rail.
All you need is to find rubber washer (from tap repare kit) cut it open and slide over the rod to separate it from the rail. this is it.
If it is not clear enough, let me know. I will take pics of the area at sunroof. I do not have that runner anymore to post actual fix pics, but I have 07 with sunroof and I can picture relevant areas if you guys need it.
 
Sonicpilz said:
Mine is definitely the sunroof. I got my wife to drive it for me while I watched it and I can see the sunroof moving up and down when it makes the noise. I cant seem to put my finger on it though. I saw that thread about the washers but NONE of the pictures will show up so I have no idea what its talking about.

Anybody have any experience with the recall?
Click to expand...

Hey Sonicpilz i took the pictures off that thread and re-saved them in photoshop as one file so hopefully this shows up. I believe this is what everyone is talking about (Securing this rod) I have a 04 and never had this problem yet (knock on wood) Ok here's the pics:
 

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Thanks for the pictures!!! That sounds like exactly the spot over the driver's side. I've got a handfull of o rings I'm taking home with me after work this morning to try and get it fixed.
 
Yeah I did it too but I still have a rattle. Almost sounds like a plastic on plastic rattle. I cannot figure out where it's coming from. Driver's side edge of the sunroof. Grr!
 
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