malfunctioning sunroof on 08

[GetMitchOrDiTryn]

2008 sr5. I vented the sunroof today and when I went to close it I heard a grinding clicking noise and noticed the sound of air flow. When I parked I observed the rubber trim around the back driver side of the sunroof glass was kinked and bent out of place, pushing the glass down under the roof on that side. I took it to the local glass business in town & they were able to remove the glass and redo the trim.

Now the problem is the explanation I got.. They told me the metal trim the glass sits on is rusted and causing a fitment issue which over time pushed the trim out of place. They recommended for me to not open it again or risk the same thing happening. I've done my research and know how much the dealer wants to even look at the damn thing so I'm looking for other options. Has anyone with an 08 or up dealt with this? I just saw older model PDF's when I searched.

Thanks for any help.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Honestly? I would go with the shop on this one... close it and forget it exists.

I understanding wanting to get your vehicle working properly, but sunroofs are a rabbit hole straight to hell.

If you are hell bent on trying to fix it, you may be able to get some decent priced factory stuff here:
ROOF PANEL & BACK PANEL. Fits: 2008 TOYOTA 4Runner 4000CC 24-VALVE DOHC EFI, AUTOMATIC 5-SPEED | Village Toyota Parts
Or try salvage yards for complete units, I don't know if you'd want to take dealing with the cartridges...

 

[GetMitchOrDiTryn]

Thanks for the reply BlackWorksInc, I just honestly enjoy having the roof open in nice weather.. The prices on those parts are scary though but that would be exactly what it would need. Any DIY advice?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Thanks for the reply BlackWorksInc, I just honestly enjoy having the roof open in nice weather.. The prices on those parts are scary though but that would be exactly what it would need. Any DIY advice?

Have the dealership do it, so that if they F*** up its on them and you can maybe get them to replace the broken parts at their cost?

 

[CookieRoe]

I also enjoy my sunroof, but I also feel it's a ticking timebomb. Where ever you decide to fix it (if you are handy, try it yourself. Look tedious, but not impossible), lube it regularly to avoid issues. Main thing with these sunroofs are that the lubricants applied at the factory dry up, thus drying up the cables, cables rust, bad things happen. Nobody seems to bother lubing them (maintenance).

Keep it lubbed. Even if it's with WD40, it's something.

 

[bpowa]

Toyota does not sell that trim itself. Just buy the whole glass with seal. Its around 250-300 aftermarket. Install it yourself. Its easy. However the grinding noise maybe your plastic cables are damaged or off track.

 

[NuclearN8]

What's the proper kind of lube? everything works better with lube...

 

[kris022]

What's the proper kind of lube? everything works better with lube...

I would like to know this as well.

 

[GetMitchOrDiTryn]

Toyota does not sell that trim itself. Just buy the whole glass with seal. Its around 250-300 aftermarket. Install it yourself. Its easy. However the grinding noise maybe your plastic cables are damaged or off track.

well it works properly with no abnormal noise as of now. I am more worried that these so called rusty spots will damage the trim again. I am more curious if anyone has combated the rust problem because I would like to start there then go down the new assembly road if need be

 

[PredBlue]

What's the proper kind of lube? everything works better with lube...

I know people have used silicone grease on the sliding parts of the moon roof which seems to work from what they've said. I've used silicone spray on my '03 because it was easier just spraying anything that looked like it moved/should move/could stick/had old "grease" residue on it.

Also a question since we're talking moon roofs. A friend with an '06 got his moon roof stuck in the open position this summer and he's afraid to open it again. He wants to replace his battery before winter. If he doesn't normalize the moon roof (since he doesn't want to risk it) when he normalizes the rest of the windows after reconnecting the battery, does that impact any of the normalization of anything else? I would assume that leaving the moon roof alone would be o.k. since I guess each window normalizes interdependently.

Thanks.

 

[bpowa]

I know people have used silicone grease on the sliding parts of the moon roof which seems to work from what they've said. I've used silicone spray on my '03 because it was easier just spraying anything that looked like it moved/should move/could stick/had old "grease" residue on it.

Also a question since we're talking moon roofs. A friend with an '06 got his moon roof stuck in the open position this summer and he's afraid to open it again. He wants to replace his battery before winter. If he doesn't normalize the moon roof (since he doesn't want to risk it) when he normalizes the rest of the windows after reconnecting the battery, does that impact any of the normalization of anything else? I would assume that leaving the moon roof alone would be o.k. since I guess each window normalizes interdependently.

Thanks.

He can just disconnect the roof motor harness plug.. remove the map light and he will see it.. Fairly easy.. I like my sunroof and would hate to go that route.. Mines grind and get stuck every time when I fully open automatic. Due to the grinded down teeth on one side of the track. I now have it on the manual mode and open it just before it fully extends open and close.

 

[GetMitchOrDiTryn]

bpowa, I see in your sig that you have an 03 though. A pdf file i reviewed only included up to 07. Is my 08 going to be different then all the info you are providing?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

bpowa, I see in your sig that you have an 03 though. A pdf file i reviewed only included up to 07. Is my 08 going to be different then all the info you are providing?

Probably not, it is most likely an old .pdf, the sunroof should be the same up to '09

 

[Cornelius]

What's the proper kind of lube? everything works better with lube...

I'm pretty sure it's White Lithium Grease.

You can buy it in a spray can, but it's not very thick and tends to slop everywhere. I use the stuff from a tube about once a month (apply with my finger) and it keeps everything moving smoothly and quiets the rattling down for at least a week....

 

[GetMitchOrDiTryn]

bump for any other ideas

?

 

[HokieRunner]

Not sure what other ideas are out there other than the ones suggested in this thread. Either forget it's there and don't use it or replace it with a used or new one that's not rusted. There's nothing unique about the 08 sunroofs. They're like the other model years.