Rattling Sunroof

[dstocks]

I was wondering if anyone out there has any ideas regarding a rattling sunroof. Either there are some worn parts or it is not currently adjusted properly. I have the workshop manuals, but it does not list part numbers. If I push up on the sunroof from underneath when it is closed there is some movement (about 5mm) at the back. When travelling over bumps or on highway this tends to cause the rattle.

Any suggestions would be great

[afterburner]

Mine does this as well - its OK most of the time, but gets annoying on rough roads. I haven't really looked at it so I'm not sure if anything can be done.

Maybe it's just an FTO feature

[dimi]

mine does this also, maybe take it to a sunroof company and ask them to service it for you, i think thats what i might try first

[dstocks]

Have actually taken it to a sunroof specialist. Was told that it is probably worn components and that only genuine parts would be available. Guess that is not really that surprising. Didn't go any further as they said it would probably cost big $. If it is a worn bush or something like that and I could get a part number, I think it would be a lot cheaper to do myself. I have had a bit of a play with the adjustment screws, but dont seem to be able to make much of a difference. I would have thought that the sunroof itself would have been the same component in all Mitsubishi's at the time but have no way of knowing this for sure.

[Boris]

maybe try calling northshore mitsubishi in sydney who stock most of the parts. and ask them, perhaps they may know,

can someone with that program look up the part numbers etc?

[dstocks]

OK, Had to remove the sunroof today (Getting some rust in roof fixed tomorrow). Have had a good look at the sunroof rails and this is what I think....

There seem to be 2 different directions of movement that would cause a rattle. I will cover each of these separately (The images below are close-up s of the sunroof rail. Please forgive quality - camera does not handle close ups like this very well.)

Left/Right Movement



The left/right movement seems to be caused by movement through the axis marked 'A'. This movement causes a gap to appear/close at the position marked 'B'. I think that this could be tigtened by placing a 1mm piece of metal or plastic in the position designated by 'C' - the green line.

Up/Down Movement



The up/down movement is caused by a worn plastic bush (labelled 'A'). Over time, the plastic wears away leaving a gap (Labelled 'B'). I guess to tighten this up, the bush would have to be built up in some way.

Looking at the worn parts, I am guessing that you would not be able to buy a replacement part in a hurry as they do not look to be removable (the bush is actually a part of a much larger piece of plastic)

I havent tried fixing yet, but will repost if I have any success

[dstocks]

Found another offender - although this is the one that probbly should be checked first as it is more of an adjustment thing:



The part labelled 'A' sits in the sunroof rail when the sunroof is closed. Im guessing here, but if the sunroof is adjusted properly, I think that this part should not actually touch the rail. Alternatively, if not adjusted properly, it will sit on the rail and every bump you go over will cause a rattle (as is the case with mine). Adjustment of the three screws that hold the sunroof glass in will confirm this.

I wont have my sunroof back in until after I get my car back from being fixed, so I wont be able to confirm any of this for a week or so, but will post again after I get it all back together.

[Breza]

Guys,

I have been watching this topic with some interest as my Sunroof is starting to get the better of me as well. Even comtemplating just replacing the whole unit.

Previously I took it to a Mitsu Ralliart dealer at Nundah who tightened it but the offending rattles came back about 2 weeks later.

As I am time poor at the moment to have a crack at fixing it myself I was waiting for a write up from these guys in the UK who have a similar problem. http://www.ftooc.org/phpbb/viewtopic.ph ... 541ea389e2

Cheers

Chris

[dstocks]

Yep,

I saw that one as well. But given that last post was mid last year, i wouldnt be holding out for a guide now...

I supposedly get mine back today and with a little luck will have a chance to put at least some of it back together tonight. Will take pictures as I go and put a guide together for it. Hopefully post something within the next week.

[dstocks]

Alllllright!!!!!. No more rattles!!!!!!

Adjustment was most of it I think, The trick is to elevate the sunroof, loosen off the three screws on each side, let the sunroof drop as far as it will go (screws resting on top of holes) and then re-tighten. I had them pushed to the bottom of the holes and this caused the majority of my rattles.

I did also put in a piece of metal on each side to stop the left right movement (described above) as well but this requires removal of the sunroof.

The adjustment is a 5 minute job and well worth checking if your sunroof is rattling. If it still rattles after this, you may have to take the sunroof out and try to fix the other 2 likely rattle points listed in the post above.

Will put a guide together on this that will explain the whole process better (including pics) and repost in the next few days

[Blasphemy]

My sunroof was rattling like crazy on all bumps. I tried adjusting the height so that it was as tight as it could be to the roof of the car, and that fixed it for about 10 minutes. Added some spring washers to try and tighten it a little better, that lasted about 30 minutes. Eventually I removed the 6 screws and the lifted out the sunroof. Inspected the sunroof, looked for places it may be rattling. The arms that attach to the sunroof seemed very loose, but not worn. As it turns out, there are pieces of foam rubber on either side that insulates between the arm and the sunroof. The foam rubber had not been placed inbetween the two. With the padding properly fitted it's now wonderfully quiet. Maybe one more piece at the back for good measure.

Worth checking out if you've got a noisy roof.