Rattling noise on ceiling
- Thread starter T4RLTD03
- Start date
USA591
New member
I have the same “loose glass” sound when closed. Here is a video I made to show how much play I have in the closed position:
https://vimeo.com/251065562/34cf1478be
Gonna try the tape fix.
73
https://vimeo.com/251065562/34cf1478be
Gonna try the tape fix.
73
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Johns06yota
Member
Great information! have been trying to find a fix for the rattling for a while now
Omega_4runner
New member
Sunroof Rattle
Hello all!
I have a 2003 Toyota 4 runner that I bought from my dad (was my dream truck since we got it, Finally got it!! Yay!!) And last year I noticed the rattle whenever the vehicle is on the highway with high winds as well as when the road is rough it kinda makes a rattling noise. Now one day I opened the sunroof on a amazing sunny afternoon and I heard a pop and this plastic piece fell on me on the driver side now it makes kinda a rubbing noise whenever it opens. I hope it didn't break something important but it looks like a rail cover for the tracks. Has anyone tried to take their older 4 runner into Toyota to get this fixed? And im sure they will charge me. Is it that easy of a fix now? :wacko: I need this fixed!!
Hello all!
I have a 2003 Toyota 4 runner that I bought from my dad (was my dream truck since we got it, Finally got it!! Yay!!) And last year I noticed the rattle whenever the vehicle is on the highway with high winds as well as when the road is rough it kinda makes a rattling noise. Now one day I opened the sunroof on a amazing sunny afternoon and I heard a pop and this plastic piece fell on me on the driver side now it makes kinda a rubbing noise whenever it opens. I hope it didn't break something important but it looks like a rail cover for the tracks. Has anyone tried to take their older 4 runner into Toyota to get this fixed? And im sure they will charge me. Is it that easy of a fix now? :wacko: I need this fixed!!
kevintrisha
New member
Finally fixed......dead quiet.....thank you!!!!
After reading this whole thread, i did the following and IT IS FIXED. THANKYOU.
1. Worked a 5 inch long 3/16"ID 5/16"OD clear hose onto the sunroof rod noted in this thread.
2. Cleaned all the painted areas that the sunroof rubber touches when closed.
3. Sprayed Heavy Duty Silicone on the sunroof rubber that I could get to and also all of the painted areas that sunroof rubber touches.
4. I closed the sunroof immediately after spraying the silicone to let it coat the rubber that i could not get to.
Drove it all over the place with the worst bumpy roads and it was dead quiet.
AWESOME FIX. How many times did I slam my hands onto the ceiling to get the noise to go away????? Same number of times as everyone else.
After reading this whole thread, i did the following and IT IS FIXED. THANKYOU.
1. Worked a 5 inch long 3/16"ID 5/16"OD clear hose onto the sunroof rod noted in this thread.
2. Cleaned all the painted areas that the sunroof rubber touches when closed.
3. Sprayed Heavy Duty Silicone on the sunroof rubber that I could get to and also all of the painted areas that sunroof rubber touches.
4. I closed the sunroof immediately after spraying the silicone to let it coat the rubber that i could not get to.
Drove it all over the place with the worst bumpy roads and it was dead quiet.
AWESOME FIX. How many times did I slam my hands onto the ceiling to get the noise to go away????? Same number of times as everyone else.
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Just as an update to this, I was having a gnarly sunroof rattle and found it would go away if I pushed up on the glass. Decided to try putting tape on the body around the back side of the glass and found that 3M Super 33+ electrical tape works great. I cleaned the sheet metal with denatured alcohol and stuck a couple layers of tape on and no more rattles. I think what happens is over time the seal gets old, dry and shrinks from constantly being in the elements. Combine that with the hinges that get loose over time and you have a rattling sunroof. Sucks we can't just put a new seal on but the tape works. Black electrical tape certainly looks better than the white medical tape someone used earlier in the thread LOL Now to fix the rest of the rattles in the rear passenger area :ybrick:
RandallFlagg
New member
Finally fixed it
My moonroof/sunroof rattle has been driving me nuts. I too could push up on it to make the noise stop.
I tried all the gaskets and tubes around the bars in the assembly. I tried using more grease. I tried three pieces of felt under the front windscreen.
None of them worked for me.
I just now used electrical tape all along the back of the moonroof metal opening. I placed three strips from the middle of the driver's side to the middle of the passenger's side. I then placed one more the length of the back side. I sprayed some white lithium grease on a paper towel and applied to the moonroof gasket and the electrical tape.
I live on a long gravel/dirt road in Idaho with more potholes and washboards than should be legal.
Totally fixed the rattle. Absolutely no noise whatsoever. Thanks for the tips and the forum.
My moonroof/sunroof rattle has been driving me nuts. I too could push up on it to make the noise stop.
I tried all the gaskets and tubes around the bars in the assembly. I tried using more grease. I tried three pieces of felt under the front windscreen.
None of them worked for me.
I just now used electrical tape all along the back of the moonroof metal opening. I placed three strips from the middle of the driver's side to the middle of the passenger's side. I then placed one more the length of the back side. I sprayed some white lithium grease on a paper towel and applied to the moonroof gasket and the electrical tape.
I live on a long gravel/dirt road in Idaho with more potholes and washboards than should be legal.
Totally fixed the rattle. Absolutely no noise whatsoever. Thanks for the tips and the forum.
Jasonredwood
Member
The washers and hose on the bars didn’t get rid of the rattle. I just used 3 layers of cheap electrical I had laying around On the corners and back side of the glass gasket. Worked to get rid of the rattle. Going to look for a better solution to combat the elements but so stoked the rattle is gone.
Cranberry
New member
This issue still present? lol
Dont know off its a little late but I had the issue myself but fixed it by unclipping the black plastic pieces on each side of the sunroof. They are at the front of the sunroof on each side with a black "accordion" like material attached to it. As soon as I unclipped those pieces but left them sitting there not clipped in, the sound went away.
If its an issue everyone is still having, I can upload some pictures on it to show what im talking about.
Dont know off its a little late but I had the issue myself but fixed it by unclipping the black plastic pieces on each side of the sunroof. They are at the front of the sunroof on each side with a black "accordion" like material attached to it. As soon as I unclipped those pieces but left them sitting there not clipped in, the sound went away.
If its an issue everyone is still having, I can upload some pictures on it to show what im talking about.
thirdelement
New member
please do. this is where mine was also rattling but i couldnt figure out where to remove or disconnect the black plastic accordion pieces on each side.
Jasonredwood
Member
yeah upload pictures. My rattle is back.
Gonna try black electrical tape when my Durapore wears out. I just used it because that's what worked getting rid of the rattles in the dash of my Tundra. Can't see it when the sunroof is closed anyway. Does the adhesive on the electrical tape maintain adhesion when the summer comes and the roof gets super hot?
My '03 has sliding glass has been rattling since I've owned it and found a '04 in the junk yard so I pulled the sunroof cassette. I'm hoping by swapping out the '04 unit into my '03, the annoying rattle will cease. I just read the TSB on curing this rattle but failed to inspect the '04 unit to see if the TSB was applied to it at the factory.
Anyway, I"m keeping my fingers crossed.
Here's the TSB for folks to refer to as necessary. It speaks of doing some simple things but the main thing is the lack of lubrication under the wind deflector guide block. It also shows the placement of a plastic/vinyl tubing around the wind deflector guide rod. Some folks put plastic washers or rubber grommets around this rod to decrease their rattle.
While the headliner was dropped, I took the opportunity to clean the rodent nest that was on top, run the video camera wire along the ceiling edge to the front, wash all plastic interior panels in the bathtub, vac/clean years of offroading dust from behind the plastic interior panels and finally, apply Rattle Trap sound deadening matt to the ceiling and to the sides.
Anyway, I"m keeping my fingers crossed.
Here's the TSB for folks to refer to as necessary. It speaks of doing some simple things but the main thing is the lack of lubrication under the wind deflector guide block. It also shows the placement of a plastic/vinyl tubing around the wind deflector guide rod. Some folks put plastic washers or rubber grommets around this rod to decrease their rattle.
While the headliner was dropped, I took the opportunity to clean the rodent nest that was on top, run the video camera wire along the ceiling edge to the front, wash all plastic interior panels in the bathtub, vac/clean years of offroading dust from behind the plastic interior panels and finally, apply Rattle Trap sound deadening matt to the ceiling and to the sides.
I don't think it was a PITA, say, compared to dropping the Tcase :bounce: Admittedly, I practiced in the junk yard when I pulled the sunroof cassette so I was more confident and took a lot of pics.
One of the biggest thing to dropping the headliner is not to break it. I mean you can bend it but don't want to put a huge crease on it. I tied straps and rope around the whole roof/ceiling to support the headliner and to support the sunroof cassette during removal and installation. The headliner can't be easily removed from the vehicle due to the wiring harness that goes to the second row dome light and the entertainment system console gizmo. This harness is glued to the backside of the headliner. Nice going Toyota!
There are four color matched plastic clips toward the middle and rear of the ceiling that should be popped out using a trim removing tool. This is the tool with a Y at the end of it. I used a piece of 1/16" alum plate to pry this tool against as I didn't want to dimple the headliner.
Toyota is using velcro around the perimeter of the sunroof opening to keep the headliner attached to the sunroof cassette.
Here's a pic of the headliner, harness and a mouse nest!
Shared album - A. Ali - Google Photos
Here's a pic of the sunroof cassette being supported by the straps
Shared album - A. Ali - Google Photos
USA591
New member
tp0908
New member
Moonroof rattle
Like most of you who struggled to get rid of the moonroof rattle. I have tried most of the suggestions incuding the TSB. But did not solve the problem. The only one that I did not do was to pull down the headliner and inspect for anything loose. That's just too much work.
I just like to share how I got rid of the rattling noise. I used a plastic melt glue stick and cut it 36mm length and put it between the aluminum rail and the moonroof metal frame (that holds the glass). Be aware that you must remove the glue stick if you want to open the moonroof.
Recent project I did: Replaced my headunit with ATOTO SA102 (with Carplay). I am very happy with it. I bought refurbished on ebay (ATOTO USA) and got what looked like brand new (complete with protective plastic on the screen) for less than $100. Carplay boots fast using my iPhone Xr. Works great with Google Map and Waze GPS. And, it you have SynologyNAS, it also have and interface for Synology DS Audio. The Head Unit sounds great too with BASS-MID-TREBLE control plus Graphic Equalizer (with 3 memory settings). If you have powered subwoofer, SA102 have pre-out and auto-on switch for external amp/subwoofer.
Like most of you who struggled to get rid of the moonroof rattle. I have tried most of the suggestions incuding the TSB. But did not solve the problem. The only one that I did not do was to pull down the headliner and inspect for anything loose. That's just too much work.
I just like to share how I got rid of the rattling noise. I used a plastic melt glue stick and cut it 36mm length and put it between the aluminum rail and the moonroof metal frame (that holds the glass). Be aware that you must remove the glue stick if you want to open the moonroof.
Recent project I did: Replaced my headunit with ATOTO SA102 (with Carplay). I am very happy with it. I bought refurbished on ebay (ATOTO USA) and got what looked like brand new (complete with protective plastic on the screen) for less than $100. Carplay boots fast using my iPhone Xr. Works great with Google Map and Waze GPS. And, it you have SynologyNAS, it also have and interface for Synology DS Audio. The Head Unit sounds great too with BASS-MID-TREBLE control plus Graphic Equalizer (with 3 memory settings). If you have powered subwoofer, SA102 have pre-out and auto-on switch for external amp/subwoofer.
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In 2021 this worked on my 2003!
I used leather strips that I had around the house instead of the vinyl grommet idea and it’s working flawlessly. I almost went to the dealership to let them talk me into probably replacing the entire sunroof system. I am so happy I could cry.
I used leather strips that I had around the house instead of the vinyl grommet idea and it’s working flawlessly. I almost went to the dealership to let them talk me into probably replacing the entire sunroof system. I am so happy I could cry.
Dude - you do good videos!! After watching your vid, I played with mine and have the same rattle. So it's the glass raise/lower linkage that is the issue. I came to this conclusion after I tilted the glass in the up/open position then had similar play but with more travel. So, the lift up/down mechanism is the issue from what I can tell.
