glass sunroof motor replacement

[daway]

has anyone taken out and replaced there sunroof motor? if so, is it a straight forward job? any tips how to take it out and put in a new one would be great.

i found a great deal on 1 and i think my motor is fried. when i try to close it up it is very slow and make a clicking noise and stops before it closes all the way. sometimes it pops off the track. before i buy a new/used one, does anyone think the motor is going? thanks for any feedback

[OkieRover]

When you pull the headliner out you'll see the entire frame and motor.
It's just 6 bolts(more or less) to take the frame down from the roof. Shouldn't be too tough to swap if you have it out of the vehicle.
Are you sure you don't have busted gears?

[Thor]

Seize this opportunity to make a convertible!

Watch Octopussy for inspiration!

[daway]

Originally Posted by OkieRover

When you pull the headliner out you'll see the entire frame and motor.
It's just 6 bolts(more or less) to take the frame down from the roof. Shouldn't be too tough to swap if you have it out of the vehicle.
Are you sure you don't have busted gears?

so i should take the motor out when i redo my headliner in the summer. i am not sure if it is busted gears and do not know that much about how the gears work in this motor? what is the best way to find out if its the gears? how could that b fixed and would i have to take the motor out?

[OkieRover]

I can't remember the setup.
But getting the frame off the roof is no big deal. Like I said 6 or so bolts and the electrical connector and it's out.
Put it on the bench hookup some electric and see what's going on.

Or you could go to a convertible.

[daway]

Originally Posted by OkieRover

I can't remember the setup.
But getting the frame off the roof is no big deal. Like I said 6 or so bolts and the electrical connector and it's out.
Put it on the bench hookup some electric and see what's going on.

Or you could go to a convertible.

thanks alot, i found a rebuild one for about $40, but i will look into the gears and etc. i know that rrc have this common problem.

the convertible would be fun but my wife would not think that is a great idea. LOL!

[daway]

i found some info about the sunroof last night that stated one main problem normally found is the sunroof sometimes becomes sluggish due to obstruction or lubrication failure on the cables and runners causing the motor to heat more than it was designed for, becomes progressively worse until the motor or gearbox fails completely. does anyone know the best way to lub the cables and runners and what kind of lub is the best to use.
thanks

[OkieRover]

White grease.

[Disco Mike]

Sounds like you may have more going on then just a motor, if the system is binding up as you close it you have some track problems, be it needing lubing or bad track or lift arms.
Mike

[daway]

Originally Posted by OkieRover

White grease.

thanks. for a min when i posted this i thought u or someone would say KY (lol)

i was wondering is the best way to get to the cables and runners is to take off the headliner? i am going to do the headliner this summer and i will do it all at once then. is there anything else that i should do when i take the headliner off besides checking the drain tubes? thanks okie.

okie thanks for the pics of the brackets (spoiler). PO took off the lr fog lights and added aftermarket ones but drilled holes and mounted the new lights on the bottom of the spoiler and left the lr mountings on the top bracket. that is why the lights shacked so much.

[OkieRover]

No KY evaporates over time....don't ask how I know that...Okay KelliJo told me that Burns said Sideview mentioned it to her in a conversation the other day.

When you take out the headliner. You'll see a lot. But as far as checking that other stuff....
The amplifiers for the antenaes are now visable
The entire sunroof assembly is visable
and the drain tubes will need to be disconnected to remove the frame. Just put some low volume air in the lines and then note where they exit on your vehicle for future reference.
Ummm
That's about it.

[daway]

Originally Posted by Disco Mike

Sounds like you may have more going on then just a motor, if the system is binding up as you close it you have some track problems, be it needing lubing or bad track or lift arms.
Mike

thanks, i might hold off on that great deal on a motor. when i redo my headliner i will take the whole sunroof apart and go from there. kill two birds w/ one stone.

[HeadlinerExpress]

What can i do to help you guys with your issue related to your sunroof? I do Headliner & Sunroof Repair on land rovers for a living Full time in Florida.

DAWAY you said it pops off track and has a popping sound and is slow to operate. Sounds more like a Rail Kit is needed, a good cleaning too.

On Rangerover you don’t remove the Headliner Boards to Repair the Sunroof unlike a Discovery model. All you’re going to do is to Remove the glass out of the roof and replace any parts from the top. The only reason to pull the Headliner Board is to either replace the Material, Blow out the drain tubes from the Top Down or other electrical issues related to and under the board.

In most cases the Sunroof Motor is OK and by releasing the Cables will only knock it out of factory Timing and cause you more problems to deal with, The problem is most likely in the rails do to excessive Heat Failure on Plastic parts plus Dirt, Ground up leafs, Mildew, egg corns.

We don’t use a Wet Lube for the roofs because the Airborne Particles are attracted to it, So we use a Dry Graphite instead to keep the roof in good working order

Things to consider

I’m willing to help walk you through any issues you may have. I am a Sponsor for the Floridalandroverclub.com and always here if you need me. Bill