Reply To: Sunshine roof seal

Hi All,

My thanks to Jack for posting a couple of my pics.

An update from me after having looked at the roof again.

After a further check, I’ve removed the inner trim and the screw (on one side).

On further study….. and of course it’s all coming back to me…!!

The triangular”plate” held by the screw is in fact a combined clamp and runner, if that makes sense?

To remove it, (after having removed the screw), you will need use a large screwdriver.

Hold it vertically against the inner edge of the plate and hit it gently with your fist, but mind the roof lining!!

See new pic. (The pic is drivers side on a RHD car).

(Jack – It looks as though your “plate” is hidden under the lining. It must be there otherwise the roof wouldn’t slide).

This operation pushes the “plate” away from the rail on the side member of the frame, enabling the roof panel to be lifted up at the front and slid out as I mentioned in an earlier posting. See new pic.

If you study the pic carefully, you’ll see the “plate” has moved to the left, so it is clear of the rail. The felt which fits inside has not moved, so if yours does the same thing, you’ll need to refit the
felt before re-fitting the “plate”.

When you’ve got the roof panel out and done your cleaning it’s worth greasing the runners on the frame; on top and underneath; the felt; and also the mechanism which lifts the back of the roof panel when you operate the opening/closing handle.

Also a blob of copper-slip on each grub screw.

The rubber strip shown on one of the earlier photos, is actually on the front of the frame. I put it there to help stop vibration when the roof is closed. It works to a degree!!

Finally, a slight clarification to an earlier posting…. Only the front and 2 side members of the sliding roof frame, are actually drainage channels. The rear member effectively just holds the assembly together. As far as I can recall, the rear edge of the roof panel itself, is formed into a channel section and acts as a drainage channel, which in turn discharges into the two side channels of the frame.

It sounds like some of you have a rubber/pvc strip stuck on the roof panel at the rear. I’m not sure of the purpose, but it may be to slow down or divert the flow of water away from the back of the panel; towards the sides. It sounds like it was not original. It may well work, but is clearly a pain when it fails.

Martin

PS The flash on the last photo makes my roof channel look very rusty! It really is just the flash!!