'03 4runner Moonroof / Headliner Rattle

[baseops]

HELP!
I have read on this board of others with 03 4runners that have the infamous moonroof/headliner rattle. I have already taken my vehicle in once previously for this problem and they supposedly put in a "moonroof silencing kit" -- unfortunately it merely dampened the vibration - I think it was nothing more than adhesive strips stuck on the plastic side guards of the moonroof.

In any case, the vibration / rattle is still there and is pronounced so that it sounds even when driving on paved smooth roads... It is terribly annoying. I just dropped of my 4runner AGAIN this morning in hopes of better service.

Any ideas on what the dealer needs to do to solve this problem? I cannot put up with a rattle in my brand new expensive vehicle!

Thanks.

03 4runner sport v8 4x4 black

 

[jharris2]

There are so many moving parts on the sunroof that it may be hard to pinpoint.

Mine has a small rattle because the sliding cover has just enough play on the right side when it's open (regardless whether the sunroof is open or closed). Rough streets means it sometimes rattles -- more when it's been in the sun and is hot.

Other than that, first thing is to try to figure out the specific conditions that cause it and describe that in detail to the service manager. That helps them to reproduce and isolate the problem.

 

[bryancos]

I took mine to my local dealer (Liberty Toyota North in Colorado Springs) and they did one better than performing the standard TSB... They outsourced the job to a local auto interior shop (Knowles) and the shop fabricated foam shims for the the entire headliner and wrapped the internal wiring and exposed rods with foam to prevent any type of rattle from occurring. The headliner is tight as a drum and silent as a mouse now.

 

[jbwil]

I picked up my '03 4Runner on Saturday and it already has the moonroof rattle. I narrowed it down to the rod connecting the popup wind deflector. I hope that this will allow the dealer to fix the problem the first time around. I do like the idea of wrapping foam around these rods if it will hold up over time.

My VIN is outside of the ones in the TSB's referenced on this forum so those fixes may not fix mine anyway. We'll see.

___________________
'03 4Runner Limited
Stratosphere Mica

'03 Infiniti FX35
Laser Red

 

[KROD]

Same Problem

Thank God I'm not the only one with this problem. It is absolutely driving me crazy. I too sent mine in and they installed the sunroof "quick fix" and I still have that annoying vibration. If I tap the right side of the headliner next to the sunroof, I can reproduce the sound, so I think it's something to do with the headliner rather than the sunroof itself......

Please let me know if a dealer pinpoints the problem....

 

[jharris2]

I take mine in on Monday, and it's on the list. Unfortunately, mine is worse when the 4Runner is hot, and it's really cooled off here in the last couple of weeks.

 

[webshot]

I also had the same problem! I read the TSB and they suggest that you add more grease to the rod's on either side. I tried this for a few weeks and the rattle just kept comming back.

I came up with an alternate Idea, I packed the the rods again with grease, but this time I took a two inch piece of Raindrip, drip hose (had it laying around for the yard) and cut it down the middle and placed/wrapped it around the rod on both sides. It fits around the rod perfect! I slid it as far back on the rod as it would go until you hit a black plastic rod guide. So far this has held up for a month with no rattles. Cheap too. It seems to dampen the vibration.

I also found that if you do not clean the rubber seal on the front of the glass moon roof, it will cause it to make a sqeaking noise. I've got myself in the habit of opening the moon roof and wiping the seal with a damp towel after drying my 4runner off.


Webshot

 

[Avian]

I started hearing a rattling noise at about 1100 miles but it sounded as if it was coming from the back seat. I brought it to dealer so that the rear seat lock release button could be replaced and told them about the rattle. It turned out it was the moonroof. They followed the information in the TSB and no more rattle. I was told they used some felt as a liner. The downside is that I noticed some marks on the driver's seat when I was checking the runner. They tried to clean it but turns out that the technician had left a few small scratches on the leather. Followed up with service manager and was told that I wiould be getting a new seat back. Hopefully, the rattle won't come back (very irritating), the seat back WILL be replaced and I won't have to keep going back to the dealer except for routine maintenance. Already been there about 4 times since purchasing runner

 

[baseops]

Well, here's an update to my frustrating adventure:

So far I have gone in three times to the dealer for this roof/headliner rattle. The first time they simply installed the "quick fix" kit and failed to test drive it to REALLY see if it worked -- it only slightly improved the condition. Still a rattle in the plastic side arms of the moonroof and elsewhere.

Next time, came back in after the rattle got worse - even on smooth pavement I have an incessant rattle! This time they "tightened and adjusted" the moonroof - of course this took all day and although it improved somewhat again the rattling is still there. They then decided to order a new rubber seal for the moonroof itself - they said the current seal seemed to have some play in it.

When I came back for round three, the parts had arrived but it was a whole new moonroof assembly - but WITHOUT the rubber seal - i.e. totally useless to me - so they did NOTHING and had the car at the dealer all day again.

Now it seems that seal / assembly is on back order because Toyota in their inifinite wisdom finally realized that this is a chronic problem and the orders are coming out of the woodwork. Perhaps the part will be in next week... I am seriously regretting ever getting the Moonroof option now - perhaps next time I go without it and at least have a *QUIET* vehicle!

++FRUSTRATED++
2003 4Runner Sport 4x4 v8 w/ rattle