Sunroof rattle solved!

[rockwall]

I have had a horrible rattle in my sunroof for the last 6+ months. It was getting so loud and annoying that I almost didn't even want to drive my truck. After searching past threads on t4r.org I tried simple white lithium grease on the sunroof rails and wind deflector. It has only been two days, but the noise was instantly gone. It has dropped to 20 degrees here and still no rattles.

If this lasts I am so relieved!

 

[Jester4kicks]

Pics of where you applied the grease?

 

[Snesley Wipes]

Nice! I hope this is the same rattle I hear. Pics would be appreciated.

 

[rockwall]

It now has been about a week and I still have no rattle. The grease seems to have done the trick. I will post pics on Tuesday, but I just coated the side metal frame of the sunroof cutout.

I suggest trying this if you have a rattle too.

 

[LASurf]

If you don't use sunroof...

Super easy way to fix the rattle, just open the sunroof (tilt), roll up a few small microfiber towels, and wedge one under each tilt arm from inside. So you've got two towels, one on the driver side one on the passenger side in the back corners of the sunroof. Then close the sunroof so it pinches the towels, tuck the excess and slide the cover back to it's original position. Had the rattle problem, very annoying, but didn't want to do the washer or grease method so I just tried this tonight and it worked perfectly. Not a sound over bumps, at high speed, nothing. Never use my sunroof, if you don't either, you should try this fix.

 

[alia176]

Super easy way to fix the rattle, just open the sunroof (tilt), roll up a few small microfiber towels, and wedge one under each tilt arm from inside. So you've got two towels, one on the driver side one on the passenger side in the back corners of the sunroof. Then close the sunroof so it pinches the towels, tuck the excess and slide the cover back to it's original position. Had the rattle problem, very annoying, but didn't want to do the washer or grease method so I just tried this tonight and it worked perfectly. Not a sound over bumps, at high speed, nothing. Never use my sunroof, if you don't either, you should try this fix.

Need some clarification, please; your rattle was coming from the glass moving up/down during driving? Is that what you solved with the towels?

 

[alia176]

I have had a horrible rattle in my sunroof for the last 6+ months. It was getting so loud and annoying that I almost didn't even want to drive my truck. After searching past threads on t4r.org I tried simple white lithium grease on the sunroof rails and wind deflector. It has only been two days, but the noise was instantly gone. It has dropped to 20 degrees here and still no rattles.

If this lasts I am so relieved!

What was causing your rattle and I'm glad it's gone now but I don't get why it stopped. Greasing a joint shouldn't stop rattles, only squeaks I'd think! Still, glad your noise is gone now.

 

[The Yin]

Super easy way to fix the rattle, just open the sunroof (tilt), roll up a few small microfiber towels, and wedge one under each tilt arm from inside. So you've got two towels, one on the driver side one on the passenger side in the back corners of the sunroof. Then close the sunroof so it pinches the towels, tuck the excess and slide the cover back to it's original position. Had the rattle problem, very annoying, but didn't want to do the washer or grease method so I just tried this tonight and it worked perfectly. Not a sound over bumps, at high speed, nothing. Never use my sunroof, if you don't either, you should try this fix.

I was thinking of doing something like this, but with some EVA foam (Foam floor mat) folded in there. My rattle seems to just be from the glass bouncing a bit over bumps. I also never use the sunroof, but wanted to put something there that can be removed easy enough. It still would be nice to know exactly what part(s) are wearing out so that this rattling is occurring.

 

[LiamO86]

Need some clarification, please; your rattle was coming from the glass moving up/down during driving? Is that what you solved with the towels?

Not sure if anyone followed up on this for you, but my glass was moving up and down creating the rattle, and putting a rolled towel under each arm that tilts the glass up, and then closing the glass, solved the issue for me. We don't use the sunroof at all so this is a worthwhile and easy fix for us.

 

[LASurf]

I was thinking of doing something like this, but with some EVA foam (Foam floor mat) folded in there. My rattle seems to just be from the glass bouncing a bit over bumps. I also never use the sunroof, but wanted to put something there that can be removed easy enough. It still would be nice to know exactly what part(s) are wearing out so that this rattling is occurring.

I agree a permanent fix would be nice but yes, my rattle was from the same thing. If I was driving and pressed my hand on the glass it stopped. Just yesterday I swapped the towels for smaller foam and actually prefer it. Still no noise and much less bulk. Should work for you too, best of luck!

 

[Turdburst]

Those little rattles are some of the most frustrating and annoying issues with any vehicle. I am trying to track down a couple as well. I suspected my sunroof or dome light, but the noise appears to be coming from farther back. That, rear hatch, and drivers door. I have pretty sensitive hearing, so I picked up on everything right away and haven't had the time, or weather to track down and fix.

 

[gigajoe]

Chiming in, I just fixed mine for 40 cents of 3/16 vinyl tube from the hardware store. I cleaned all the hinges and rails really well, relubed with white lithium WD-40. Worked the sunroof through its full ranges of motion about 20 times or so cleaning the excess lube that would build up at the ends of the track periodically. Silent!

 

[bmorey]

Chiming in, I just fixed mine for 40 cents of 3/16 vinyl tube from the hardware store. I cleaned all the hinges and rails really well, relubed with white lithium WD-40. Worked the sunroof through its full ranges of motion about 20 times or so cleaning the excess lube that would build up at the ends of the track periodically. Silent!

Would you be able to post a pic of where you installed that vinyl tubing? Thanks man!

 

[gigajoe]

Would you be able to post a pic of where you installed that vinyl tubing? Thanks man!

Not at the moment. But if you open your sunroof, then stand on the sill of your door and look down into your sunroof, there's a metal rod tucked between one of the metal tracks. Its the rod that controls the front wind deflector and actuates it to pop up when the sunroof is all the way back. Its fairly obvious to see. Just slip maybe 4-5 inches of 3/16 clear vinyl tube over it and your done. Its a bit of a ***** to get it on but you'll figure it out, no disassembly required.

 

[Bluesky 07]

In case anyone finds it helpful, I finally fixed my maddening roof rattle the other day using cutting-edge materials and techniques. My observation that I could stop the rattle by gently pulling down on the headliner right at the passenger side front corner of the sunroof opening, combined with @gRunner3's 2010 post, led to folding over a piece of cardboard and wedging it above the headliner as shown. Rattle gone!

 

[Berty_K]

Brilliant thread. Need to do this

 

[sundance21]

My rattle was more to do with the glass dropping too low on the passenger rear corner. I found where someone put some tape layers in that area so the glass would wedge like it should. Stopped mine completely. Tight as tight can be.

 

[No Name]

FWIW-- Piling on to this old OP...I use my SR often.

08' Limited, ~110K, 90/10 on/off-road, nothing ultra-hard-core. I'm solid on all maintenance including moving parts consistently year-over-year (e.g. hinges, any mating surfaces, etc.) as well as the sunroof but...this friggin' rattle hit me this past year (2021), hated it...just hated it.

Scoured threads, including this one...had no faith in any fix. Went at again entering the recent holiday weekend thinking..."yeh...sure...but had nothing to lose." I've always hit the sunroof mechanisms 1x per year but this pass...I took added time to seriously clean all rails (used isopropyl alcohol), channels, moving parts, anything/everything I could see/touch to the nth degree. Once complete, sparingly laid-in some off-the-shelf [old] lithium grease, worked the functions a few times and let it sit with no/low expectations.

~120 miles later, multiple rides on various surfaces including two intentional "test runs" on washboard dirt at variable speeds...resolved. I've been listening acutely, just waiting for that damn rattle... On washboards, moving at-speed, listening for it...some lite rattle...but nothing like what I was encountering prior. Urban/suburban "typical use," nothing yet. I'll take it.

No clue? This makes no [engineering or common] sense to me this would help/work and who knows, it may come back tomorrow for all I know but...it's "good so far." Not into jamming-in foam or other "stuff" etc. but if it returns, I'll take that route in desperation but for now...I'm good.

As mentioned FWIW, just adding to the thread/archive here.

Later,

 

[joec500]

LOL I shoved glove i found in my car in the exact same spot to solve my rattle, I like this solution much better. LOL

 

[SurferUK]

If it makes anyone feel better, my right hand drive model (Called the Hilux Surf) does the same thing.

The glass seemed too loose at the back, with a noticeable amount of play. I simply cut up some old foam, folded it, and wedged it in place. The cover panel still slides in and out.

(I did try cleaning and lubing all the mechanisms, I also put silicone lube on the rubber seal, but as the problem seemed to be too much movement I didn't expect much from this, and indeed it did not help.)