MoDice7

The sunroof on my 86 GXL is stuck on the left side. It comes up then when trying to move it back, the right side moves but the left stays in place. Any suggestions on how to fix?

Dvst8

iTrader: (6)

Didnt want to make a new thread to ill post in this one...

I have a the same problem, it only moves on the right side only...so today i took the sunroof out, its a bitch to take out. Now what parts should i replace? thanks

jack

nonameo

whoa I have the same problem too. normally I can coax it to open and shut though pretty easily.

Dvst8

iTrader: (6)

anyone??

dr0x

Ive never taken out a sunroof yet (need to clean mine some day, its slow) but isnt there a tensioned wire on a pulley system up there?

Dvst8

iTrader: (6)

Found a great write up on removal.

GETTING 2nd GEN SUNROOF OUT
1) Take out the interior ceiling pre-a) If possible open the sunroof a bit so that it is about an inch
open (i.e., it should be up an inch in back and back an inch). This just makes taking the interior edging and the entirely assembly out easier.

a) Unscrew and take off the piece of plastic that goes across the top of the windshield (on the
interior) (...this is the piece that goes under part of the rear-view mirror).

b) Unscrew and take off the long plastic
pieces that go along the edge of the
inner windshield....and partially
above the door. I think that this also
involves taking off the rubber insulation
along the door.

c) Unscrew and take off the piece of plastic
near the rear hatch (parallel to the
piece in a) )

d) Unscrew some of the large pieces of plastic behind
the front seats (...these are the large sheets
that go almost from the rear of the front doors
to the rear speaker towers and up to the ceiling).
Note...I think that you must unbolt the seatbelts
(up high)....and that these large piece do not have
to be totally taken out...they just need to be
loose.

e) Unscrew and take off the rear view mirror. This involves
taking a small cover off and taking bolts off and
unconnecting wires.

f) Take off the interior carpet edging around the interior
of the sunroof.

g) Pop off the ceiling ....slowly!!


Hopefully, you can take the ceiling out of the car at this point. If I have forgotten something anything ...memories of last summer are fading. Anyway, if you gotten to this point...Great!!! Now
onto taking the sunroof out.


2) Taking the Sunroof Assembly out of the Car


a) Unhook the drainage lines (...if you can't see them
at this point....remember them...because you
need to unhook them eventually). Oh ..these are
the black rubber lines hooked up to sunroof
assembly

b) There should be multiple sets of 10mm bolts holding the
sunroof assembly in the car.

b1) Undo the bolts that attach the assembly
to the ceiling (....I don't think
these are gold or brass in color...
if I remember correctly). DO NOT
INITIALLY UNBOLT THE BOLTS THAT
LOWERS THE SUNROOF ASSEMBLY(...these
were gold or brass in color...I think
in my car).

b1a2) Unattach the power motor if possible
(do this at the earliest time possible)

b1b) Open your car doors...because in the
next step you will get the sunroof out.
(...you might even want to unhook the
negative connection on your car...in
fact I recommend it if you will keep the
sunroof out for a while)
b2) Now start to unbolt the bolts that lower
the sunroof assembly. You should
notice that the entire assembly comes
down and slides forward and out.
Unbolt and lower the assembly slowly
....and make sure you have a good
angle for sunroof out.

b3) Get the sunroof assembly out of the car...
slowly as it is quite awkward!!



3) Getting the inner interior panel off the sunroof


Attempt to pull the cloth covered
panel (on the underside of the metal sunroof) off. If I remember
correctly, this cloth panel is held on by plastic clips on the front
and middle. At the rear (i.e., the end closest to the rear of the car) of
the panel, there are plastic clips that slide into pieces on the underside
of the sunroof. See below:



Underside of Metal Sunroof (...obviously w/incorrect dimensions)


Front Rear
- ----------------------------------------|
| x ------| |
| ------| |
| |
| ------| |
| x ------| |
| |
| ------| |
| x ------| |
- ----------------------------------------|


x Clips (or corresponding holes...can't remember exactly..where or how
many)


- ----| Slots where plastic clips slide in
- ----|



Metal Sunroof
- ----------------------------------------|
| ------------------------------------| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | Cloth Panel | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| ------------------------------------| |
- ----------------------------------------|

Once the cloth panel is off, just unbolt the metal
sunroof from the sunroof assembly (mounted to the car).
10mm bolts (...I think).

Actually, once you manage to get the cloth panel off
everything should be very easy.

4) Cleaning Things up

At this point, you should have a sunroof assembly and the
actual sunroof separated. By unscrewing a couple of screws
on the sunroof assembly you can pull the spiral line out and clean it.
When I had the sunroof assembly out at this point, I decreased and cleaned
the entire mechanism. Once cleaned, grease (not WD40) should
be used to lubricate the lines and assembly. How do I know that
WD40 should not be used.....because I used it....and tons of
crap accumulated not to mention lots of grinding.

5) Putting everything back in is obviously in reverse....
and unlike climbing a tree is much easier and faster!

I hope that this helps. Please let me know if there are
any things that I forgot or put in wrong.

Dvst8

iTrader: (6)

so i found out my linkage cable on my drivers side snapped, then i called mazda for that part an they qouted me $127 for that damn cable! i said forget it..so im goin to home depot to find a piece just like it...or if someone has a spare lying around let me know thanks!

Dvst8

iTrader: (6)

ok guys, i replaced my sunroof panel with new linkages, iam using my old motor, so now my problem is that when i swapped in the motor then bolted everything up, the sunroof wont open/close when pressing the buttons, the motors runs. I can see the motor turn a half inch then stop(both directions)but it doesnt seem to move the panel. I can open/close it manually fine but not the motor. anyone got any ideas??
thanks

Dvst8

iTrader: (6)

anyone??

Dvst8

iTrader: (6)

bumpity

gbowers

Your sunroof motor is not engaging both nylon cables. Remove sunroof mechanism and confirm motor is engaging and turning cables. Also, you may need to replace related rail parts that track nylon cables. I replaced 1 nylon cable and related rail parts, re-greased both tracks/cables with white lithium grease and finally tested engine to confirm both cables moved simultaneously.

gbowers

Furthmore, stuck linkages are number one problem in non-working sunroofs. These linkages easily corrode and stick to their guide tubes. There isn't very much clearance between the linkages and the guide tubes; exposure to crud and moisture just makes things worse. Once the linkage is frozen in the guide tube, it's a pain to cut the guide tube open to salvage the linkage. Most times, the linkage is very rusty, so reusing them is not recommended. Good, used sunroof assemblies are plentiful and relatively cheap. It is recommended to get a good used linkage (and guide tube) to replace your bad one, if this is the case. You can form your own replacement guide tube out of 1/4" OD copper tubing, easily obtained from most hardware stores.

See more info at:

http://fc3s-pro.com/TECH/PROBLEMS/INT/SR/linkage.htm

Gordon

Angel Guard Racing Team

Click Here and download the body section. I recommend to use right click and "save target as" it is a lot faster, you need the adobe acrobat reader to view these files.