4th Gen Sunroof Clicking Noise

[gullatec]

Subject says it all. It doesn't sound like the rails are providing more or less resistance than it used to. Just a hardcore clicking noise. I haven't been using the sunroof because I am afraid that it's going to get stuck. Anyone else had this? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Link to video so you can hear my pain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSqySZ21SG8

 

[who done it]

Mine does the same thing too. The only thing I can think of is that a rock or something is stuck in the track because it started after a off-roading trip and the car was covered in mud. Been to lazy to rip it apart, so hopefully someone knows the solution.

 

[svana]

That ratcheting sound at the end of the process is the motor jumping over the splines. It's an indication that there's some form of stress on the line that's preventing it from moving freely. I'm in the midst of tearing mine apart as we speak. The guide pipe for my spline was so rusted on the inside that I had to dremel the housing in half to get it off and am now in the process of finding a suitable housing replacement.

 

[bpowa]

Its the plastic cable gear skipping teeth. The gear on the motor and and gears in the rest of the system are metal. Figures right.. Bad design, and expensive parts.

350 bucks for the plastic cables and a lot of time ripping off your headliner. I took it and readjust and lubed everything.. it still makes noise after fully open and closed. I cant spend 400 bucks for that.. I rather have it closed all the time.

 

[svana]

Its the plastic cable gear skipping teeth. The gear on the motor and and gears in the rest of the system are metal. Figures right.. Bad design, and expensive parts.

350 bucks for the plastic cables and a lot of time ripping off your headliner. I took it and readjust and lubed everything.. it still makes noise after fully open and closed. I cant spend 400 bucks for that.. I rather have it closed all the time.

The cables aren't plastic. They're metal cables encased in a teflon like material to reduce the friction. The design however could be much better. OP if you're indeed interested in fixing it, the key is finding what's causing the stress on the cable and finding out how to eliminate it. It is indeed a royal pain, but I'd really like to keep the use of my sunroof and it's worth the time and effort for me to fix it. Its such a pain that that's why the shops will more often than not just charge you to replace the whole unit. I know many folks who just seal theirs up, it's totally your call. If you wanna get a little more in-depth about it feel free to shoot me a PM. My frame is currently sitting at my feet in my living room lol. Should be good to go though (fingers crossed).

 

[eleven14]

Apologies for resurrecting this, but I've got the same symptoms and am short on answers for my 08 limited.

Long story short, I was driving and noticed substantially more wind noise. Opened the sunroof and was met with the same clicking sound once fully opened. Pulled it apart and performed the TSB, internals looked fine.

Once reassembled, still getting the clicking when fully opened. Closed it back up and haven't messed with it since for fear of it getting stuck open, though it didn't seem to be meeting any resistance when closing.

Is the clicking just a calibration thing with the motor? Should I reinitialize it? Disconnect the battery? Logically, I see no reason for the motor to still be operating beyond the point of full open - hence my question about calibration.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts - this forum has been a lifesaver.

 

[eleven14]

Anyone have recent experience with this? If not, I may just roll the dice and try a recalibration.

Thanks again