Well, since someone always asks why, the reason is that I need the black fabric shuttle to install into my current car so that I can complete the black headliner swap. However, people have had problems with these and have asked in the past about this so here goes:

If you want to lift open the sunroof itself, then I recommend tilting it and then removing the two T25 torx screws on either side at the front of the sunroof. These torx screws hold the front of the sunroof in place and the slotted arms they fit into allow you to adjust the sunroof to get it flat and with the proper seal.
Here is a picture of where they are located: (the right is the front of the car and the left is the rear)

Once these are removed you can lift the sunroof up and access items below. I would be careful and put a towel or other cushion around this so that you don't mess up your paint.

Although it might technically be possible to remove this shuttle without removing the sunroof cassette from the car, I wouldn't want the headache of trying...though I suppose if you removed the entire metal sunroof it would be easy to remove then.

If the power and cables are removed from the motor when you are doing this, you can manually operate the motor using an allen wrench.
I believe it is clockwise to tilt and ccw to open.

The sunroof mechanism looks like this with the motor removed.
The gear on the motor turns and drives the screw mechanism to move the sunroof around.

This is what the bottom of the motor looks like:

In order to remove the shuttle you need to turn the motor in the direction of opening the sunroof (not tilt) and as soon as you barely do this, it will release the shuttle. The shuttle is held in by a plastic arm that is keyed into the moving mechanism to move in concert with the sunroof.
Here is a picture of it.

Here is the funky catch it slides into so that you can't push it back in certain positions

The shuttle will drop down and look like this from the underside:

On the top side the shuttle will slide all the way to the back and you need to get it loose from the plastic arm guide. If you pull carefully on the shuttle you can slide it out of the catch and also push down on the plastic tab to release the double catch mechanism.

Now you have to remove the T20 torx screws

The shuttle will lift off the rails

Bump for Monday

look mad complicated.

not really when you start doing it, you'll see that it isn't that complicated.

its just getting to those two torque screws in the first picture when the sunroof is tilted up thats a little difficult. but after that, the rest is cake ;)

Does it matter if the headliner is out or not?

Should I change the fabric shuttle before putting in new headliner?

or does it not matter......

thanks

Thanks for the write up Old Skool. One quick question about removing the sunroof assembly. After removing the 4 drain lines and 14 or so screws holding up the sunroof pan, will the entire assembly just drop out of the car, or is it connected to the roof of the car around the cutout for the sunroof?

Is the "shuttle" the part that covers the bottom of the sun roof when closed so it looks like the rest of the headliner? If so, mine is stuck in the back of the track. Would any of this DIY help in getting it out from there? I can just barely touch it back there. I've tried a few different gimmicks to get hold of it and pul it out, but it seems stuck. I've read elsewhere that about all you can is pull down the whole headliner.

After you remove the things you mentioned.

The cassette will be almost free.

There are two metal clips in the back that hook the cassette to the roof, support with one hand and undo with the other...2 people would be best

The front of the cassette has a protruded plastic piece that sits within the car's roof casing. You just need to back the cassette out.

Good Luck man,

in your case, yes.

Remove the headliner/cassette

then it will be much easier to tackle once it is out of the car. ;)


Is the "shuttle" the part that covers the bottom of the sun roof when closed so it looks like the rest of the headliner? If so, mine is stuck in the back of the track. Would any of this DIY help in getting it out from there? I can just barely touch it back there. I've tried a few different gimmicks to get hold of it and pul it out, but it seems stuck. I've read elsewhere that about all you can is pull down the whole headliner.

in your case, yes.

Remove the headliner/cassette

then it will be much easier to tackle once it is out of the car. ;)

Thanks, kinda. Not what I wanted hear, but that's what I thought.

don't be scare you can do it ;)

I just did this last week so everything is pretty fresh on the mind. The hardest part of this whole ordeal is the removal of the headliner especially when you're doing it alone at 1:00 AM :( :confused :stickoutt

don't be scare you can do it ;)

I just did this last week so everything is pretty fresh on the mind. The hardest part of this whole ordeal is the removal of the headliner especially when you're doing it alone at 1:00 AM :( :confused :stickoutt

Scared, isn't the right word. I'm not a real "craftsman" when it comes to detail jobs. And I'm concerned that the headliner would end up looking like hell and sagging when I was done. I'll keep it in mind for a long week-end project sometime.

Just take the headliner/shuttle piece to an uphostery(sp) shop they will refinish for cheap.

Cost me $95 for headliner/shuttle/sunroof switch piece

thanks for the write ups. Great pics too. Only thing I did different was, I couldn't get my shuttle to go past the sunroof. I had to crank the roof all the way back and push the shuttle all the way to the front to show all the screws.

edit: well I think I just f-ed up this whole sunroof. One of the back corners where it tilts up at came off the little round pin and I cant get it back on.
I've pulled and put engines in cars and I feel like jumping up and down on this GD sunroof :mad
good thing I have 2 sunroofs or I would be looking for a full headliner and doing some welding, which I just might before it's over.

edit #2 I got the one in that I thought I had fuged up. It sits 1/8th of an inch lower on the one side the pin popped off on. I might pull it off again before painting. It's in now though and working.

Thanks again for the diy write ups. The pics help soooo much.

anyway to fix or repair the broken tabs off of the interior posts? or would they need to be replaced?

I am not sure what you are refering to. If you could post pics I might be able to answer this better.

i'm not sure if it was answered but... i want to remove the bottom panel of the sunroof that looks just like the interior and also the thin trim that goes around it and also looks like the interior... i want to replace my beige ones with black... my question... do i need to remove the headliner to do this or no? also, this is what the DIY talks about correct ?

i'm not sure if it was answered but... i want to remove the bottom panel of the sunroof that looks just like the interior and also the thin trim that goes around it and also looks like the interior... i want to replace my beige ones with black... my question... do i need to remove the headliner to do this or no? also, this is what the DIY talks about correct ?
Checkout my headliner and sunroof diy in my sig. It will explain it.

Checkout my headliner and sunroof diy in my sig. It will explain it.

i will but what does this thread talk about then, if not the sunroof ?
oh and do i have to remove the headliner in order to replace the sunroof cloth ?

i had a lot of problems with this and broken pices, not good. it appears i have a diffrent sunroof than you do. after something like 2 hours i stoped and looked on the net i found a nouther website that was prety helpfull to me and thought i would shair it with you. i'll post it later

ps no offence to you old skool i love your diy's they have helped me more times than i can tell you about so thank you

here is the link i said i would give http://www.bimmerdiy.com/diy/e36sunroof

I actually just realized my shuttle is loose from the track. I am pissed because I really don't feel like disassembling it just to fix that. Oh well.

I'm a bit late but great DIY !

Would you happen to have a picture of how the rails of the shuttle fit into the tracks ?

My problem is that my shuttle panel has always been off the tracks (moving freely). When I was redoing my headliner I pulled it off to put new fabric on it but I found out the plastic rails were broken.

Now I just have to get a pair of new plastic rails and reinstall the shuttle. My problem is that I have no idea how to install those plastic rail properly so that the shuttle will move in concert with the sunroof :az:

I don't have any other pictures...

Did you look at how the old ones were attached?

Do you have any pictures you can post so that we can try to help?

Well, since someone always asks why, the reason is that I need the black fabric shuttle to install into my current car so that I can complete the black headliner swap. However, people have had problems with these and have asked in the past about this so here goes:

If you want to lift open the sunroof itself, then I recommend tilting it and then removing the two T25 torx screws on either side at the front of the sunroof. These torx screws hold the front of the sunroof in place and the slotted arms they fit into allow you to adjust the sunroof to get it flat and with the proper seal.
Here is a picture of where they are located: (the right is the front of the car and the left is the rear) My sunroof sits a bit too low. On this pic are the screws to raise the front, right? How do I get to the rear ones? I tried pushing back the liner but it won't budge. Other than that the roof works just fine

My sunroof sits a bit too low. On this pic are the screws to raise the front, right? How do I get to the rear ones? I tried pushing back the liner but it won't budge. Other than that the roof works just fine

too low in the front or the back?

Those screws control the front height.

The rest of the height is controlled by tightening all the bolts that hold it to the roof of the car.

Just wanted to say thanks for this thread while it's bumped, to old skool and autocross97 both. The headliner on my shuttle has come apart and I need to re-glue it. I was hoping to be able to do this without tearing out the whole car headliner and it looks like it can be done; a project for me to tackle once the rain goes away since I don't have a garage.

too low in the front or the back?

Those screws control the front height.

The rest of the height is controlled by tightening all the bolts that hold it to the roof of the car.
It's too low both at the front "and" at the back. It's depressed. The whole sunroof should come up about 3mm. Right now when it rains, it doesn't run off, but it rather puddles up in one of the corners.

interesting.

I would pull the headliner and take a look at the sunroof assembly. If the bolts are tight, it should sit flush with the roof.

I get a lot of PMs about this sort of stuff. I do my best to recall how these things work. It wasabout 2 years ago that I did all these DIY articles.

I think I responded to everyone. If I haven't addressed your concerns, feel free to post them up.

interesting.

I would pull the headliner and take a look at the sunroof assembly. If the bolts are tight, it should sit flush with the roof.
I'm kinda hesitant to pull the headliner as I read numerous threads about sagging headliners and I don't want mine to start doing that too. The sunroof doesn't rattle or anything and it works just fine, is there no way to adjust the height at the back? I remember seeing something about it in a bentley's manual, but the pics were too dark to make out what was being done.

I don't have any other pictures...

Did you look at how the old ones were attached?

Do you have any pictures you can post so that we can try to help?

I don't know but Ill post some pics ! Appreciate the help, thanks !

when my sunroof is "closed" and supposed to be flat, it sits about 3/4" lower than the rest. Would getting into it this way let me re-position it so it sits flat and level with the roof of the car?

when my sunroof is "closed" and supposed to be flat, it sits about 3/4" lower than the rest. Would getting into it this way let me re-position it so it sits flat and level with the roof of the car?exactly the same issue here...

p.s. my "shuttle" slides freely when sunroof is closed or tilted up.. is that bad?

From what I understood, you should be able to slide the inner part backwards by hand when you drop the sunroof a lil.

i just did this now my sunroof wont open it just tilt is like is stuck with the shuttle becuase if i take out the shuttle it will close open and tilt perfect how can i fix this!!!!!!!!

We need a sunroof specialist. I'll pay $75 to whoever can come to my crib and take care of this.

I cant tell if you covered what I amasking, I wish to remove item number 5 from my sunroof, would I need to take out the whole sunroof to get too it?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=CG63&mospid=47505&btnr=54_0187&hg=54&fg=05

#5 is what this is all about. You don't techinically need to remove the entire sunroof. It is difficult to get to everything with the sunroof installed but it is possible. You can remove the entire sunroof if it makes it easier for you. That is your choice.

OkI get it now, I am going to try this tomorrow!

I have the whole sunroof assembly out of the car. Can I still remove the shuttle this way? (I believe the motor is still inside the car, so the first couple steps of this DIY are invalidated)

If the lid of the sunroof is closed, I am not sure you will be able to open it to access the hardware you need. You may need to remove the sunroof motor (just a screw or two) and attach it to the sunroof. You can use an allen wrench to manually move the sunroof this way.

This is really chaffing my ass. So far I have the sunroof completely removed from the car, so I have to use the hex wrench to turn the motor (pain). The two front screws are removed. From this point I'm stuck. I can't get the shuttle free to slide back, even when the "key" is out of it's notch. I also can't figure out how to remove the top metal/painted section of the sunroof. I can't see any screws/bolts that seem to be involved with it. Anyone help me out?

The metal top is removed by removing the 2 screws on the front sides of the sunroof (first thing covered in the DIY). Then the front can be lifted and then theres 2 more screws at the back (dont know how to remove those exactly, I just yanked it out (not recommended))

The 4 tubes attached on the corners?

The metal top is removed by removing the 2 screws on the front sides of the sunroof (first thing covered in the DIY). Then the front can be lifted and then theres 2 more screws at the back (dont know how to remove those exactly, I just yanked it out (not recommended))

You don't by any chance have a picture for this do you? And when you say the front can be lifted, is this still while in the tilt position?

The front can be lifted after you remove those two front screws. Swing it back and you should see the screws for the back.

The front can be lifted after you remove those two front screws. Swing it back and you should see the screws for the back.

When you say the front can be lifted, should I have to use force? It definitely doesn't just swing back freely. And I assume when you say swing, it should open as if it were hinged in the back?

yeah. Once you disconnect those two front bolts, the sunroof should be free to gain access to the back bolts. The front should flop around a bit if it is disconnected because those front bolts hold it in place and control the tilting.

The 4 tubes attached on the corners?

Your somewhere else. Were talking jsut about the sunroof lid part. The tubes attach to the entire cassete, and should be removed before unscrewing.

yeah. Once you disconnect those two front bolts, the sunroof should be free to gain access to the back bolts. The front should flop around a bit if it is disconnected because those front bolts hold it in place and control the tilting.

Are the two screws in the 'back" really small philips head screws? Those are the only ones I can find but I'm having trouble accessing them as they're very small and in a tight area.

The screws that hold the lid on are on the sides and are hinges. Actually theyre more like pins not screws - those are the ones i forced off.

The phillips screws at the back are what hold the fabric shuttle piece

The screws that hold the lid on are on the sides and are hinges. Actually theyre more like pins not screws - those are the ones i forced off.

The phillips screws at the back are what hold the fabric shuttle piece

Anyway you could get me a picture of these? I've put this project off for about a week as it's been giving my headaches but I need to finish this off so I can get on to bigger and better things in my life. Thanks.

Also I have the two front bolts removed and cannot move the top roof part. It wiggles a little bit but does not lift up in any manor, even using a little force it doesn't want to move. I don't want to push it any harder fearing I might break something in there. What's it gonna cost for one of you guys to come out and help me with this.

Alright thanks for all the help guys. Unfortunately I ended up breaking part #13 in this diagram so hopefully I can get a replacement for that soon. Although I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to get it back in there. Thanks again.

I read through this pretty quick so I hope I didn't miss this already being said, but the fabric is gone from the shuttle on my car. Can I remove the shuttle and just leave it out
or is there a down side to doing this?

I would think that would be fine. There is more of a plastic or vinal type covering on the roof part, the part you would normally see when it is tilted open. So, it won't match.

As for removing the shuttle. I took out the front 2 screws, and then forced it open. Which releases the 2 small guide pins. Just like the white guides on the shuttle, but these are out of metal. Then I lifted the sunroof up, while in tilt mode and removed the all the screws and then the shuttle lifts out. Easier in my opinion because I never messed with the motor or anything.

The sunroof on my 318iS doesn't have tilt - it just slides back into the roof. I need to replace that fabric on the shuttle as its getting chewed up.

AubrunGrad323is - did you have to have your headliner out? Also, afraid I can't picture it that well so when you say the shuttle "lifts out" - which way does it come out? Via the inside of the car? Tks!

I would think that would be fine. There is more of a plastic or vinal type covering on the roof part, the part you would normally see when it is tilted open. So, it won't match.

As for removing the shuttle. I took out the front 2 screws, and then forced it open. Which releases the 2 small guide pins. Just like the white guides on the shuttle, but these are out of metal. Then I lifted the sunroof up, while in tilt mode and removed the all the screws and then the shuttle lifts out. Easier in my opinion because I never messed with the motor or anything.

On a somewhat related note my sunroof was removed (the car got painted) and it turns out they messed something up putting it back in... The shuttle is off its rails and only goes backwards (towards the rear of the car) and doesn't come back!! And it looks like it's expanding brackets in the roof or something when I move it... DOES NOT LOOK GOOD!!! :(

The sunroof on my 318iS doesn't have tilt - it just slides back into the roof. I need to replace that fabric on the shuttle as its getting chewed up.

AubrunGrad323is - did you have to have your headliner out? Also, afraid I can't picture it that well so when you say the shuttle "lifts out" - which way does it come out? Via the inside of the car? Tks!

Sorry for the late reply, just saw this thread pop back up.

Not having tilt could cause problems. Now I did have my headliner out, not that it helped at all with the removal of the shuttle. The key is to unbolt/screw the front of the sunroof lid. Then Mine once I made the small set nubs that help to keep it in place with the screws came off, it just pulled away from the car. Then you unscrew the torx screws holding the shuttle. email me or PM if you want more info details

Thank you Old School!
The adhesive and foam backing on the cloth of my sunroof headliner shuttle dropped suddenly yesterday, after 12 years.
Your detailed explanation of removing the sunroof shuttle is perfectly clear and you saved me hundreds of dollars in labor expense! :redspot

brucej

rereading this I'm still a little confused.

Does this DIY include removing the plastic/vinyl part that only becomes exposed if you tilt up? I also need to change that out with my headliner swap.

rereading this I'm still a little confused.

Does this DIY include removing the plastic/vinyl part that only becomes exposed if you tilt up? I also need to change that out with my headliner swap.

That's just a sticker. Once you remove everything so you can get to it, you just peel it up and replace it.

I'm trying to tackle this as we speak. I got the two Torx screws in the front out... But I wasn't able to actually lift the metal part of the sunroof (i will refer to this as "metal" from now on) enough to do anything. Following the first steps from this DIY:
http://www.bimmerdiy.com/diy/e36sunroof/

I removed the 3 17mm nuts that hold the rear of the "metal" to the lifter mechanism of the sunroof. Now, the rear of the "metal" is free. I can lift it pretty high, but the front is still caught on something, despite the fact that I have removed the 2 screws holding it to the pivot. As a result I can't actually remove the "metal" from the car. When I lift the rear of the "metal", I believe I can see the 10 Torx bolts that presumably hold the cassette in place. Is this all I need to undo? Should I just prop up the rear of the "metal" and then stick a ratchet in there to undo the 10 Torx?

I will post a pic to show what I mean, if the words are confusing.

I haven't been careful enough and already managed to scratch the "metal" of my sunroof :(

old_skool, you never seemed to mention removing the 17mm nuts holding the rear of the "metal" to the sunroof.. Do you have a completely different sunroof or something? The following pic shows what I mean. I have pushed the fabric shuttle to the rear of the car, and the Torx bolts in front have already been removed:

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/166/sunroof1xc2.th.jpg (http://img147.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sunroof1xc2.jpg)

Now, from the outside I can lift the rear of the sunroof pretty high, but it still won't come off the car. It's caught on something in front, and I can't figure out what it is. (I apologize for the excessive hand.. this wasn't easy :P)

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/7595/sunroof2re2.th.jpg (http://img205.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sunroof2re2.jpg)
(That caption should read "Torx screws holding *FABRIC SHUTTLE* to frame")

Are those circled Torx's the ones I need to remove to release the fabric shuttle? Perhaps I can do this without actually taking the "metal" off the car - or is there something else I need to do?

UPdate:

I managed to remove the "metal" part of the sunroof, it was held by 2 metal pins at the lever arms (same place where the 2 Torx screws were removed) that just had to be pushed out.

Then I got the fabric shuttle too... But then I was playing around with the mechanism (opening, closing with everything removed) and managed to lose the "funky catch" that keeps the shuttle from moving in certain positions. It's probably stuck in the back of the sunroof cassette somewhere. *INSERT EXPLETIVE HERE*!!! Looks like I have to remove the whole sunroof cassette to find it :(

Any suggestions on how to get those 2 stubborn pins back into the lever arms?

Any suggestions on how to get those 2 stubborn pins back into the lever arms?

You just have to work one side at a time, and a screw driver will help. Make sure they are lined up, and then use the screw driver to push the bar out to allow the pin to slide down to the whole. It took me about 15 minutes on this part. You just have to mess with it a few times to get it right. I would get one, and then it was to crooked to get the other in, so it was time to start over

I bought 99 M3 vert last night the top won't close on one siide I neeed help?

wow, thank you for posting this with so many pictures. my sunroof has been sagging for a week now and ive been told it will cost about 300 to fix. This will help a lot! thanks!

I need Help! My shuttle cloth is sagging! Can the sunroof shuttle be removed from the top by removing the sunroof panel or do I have to do it from the inside after taking out the headliner?

This thread makes no sense.. plz be specific, I just unbolted the two front hex/ star, whatever they are called and the fron moves but doesnt "pop up".. wtf!

Just take the headliner/shuttle piece to an uphostery(sp) shop they will refinish for cheap.

Cost me $95 for headliner/shuttle/sunroof switch piece


BMW sells the replacement part pre upholstered in the exact same color for 130. I went with BMW, unless you can find an upholstery shop that isn't super sketch, I couldn't.

This thread makes no sense.. plz be specific, I just unbolted the two front hex/ star, whatever they are called and the fron moves but doesnt "pop up".. wtf!


If you dont know what a torx screw is... this DIY might be kind of difficult.

Any tips on getting the shuttle back in?

I've broken two sunroofs so far.

I just need to know how to properly put the shuttle back in so that it will work.

What do you mean by properly put it back in? Do you mean insert the entire casset into the roof or do you mean screwing the shuttle onto the rails?

I mean putting the shuttle back on the rails. I know how to do that but how should the sunroof be positioned? And do I just slide it back up to the top? I've failed twice.

Okay I figured out how to get the fabric part back in properly. Now my sunroof won't work right.

It seems slow and sounds like it's struggling. Tilt Mode works great.

And when I close it from being slid back, the lid wont come up flush with the roof. Its sunken in at the back.

Any tips before I take it to a shop next week?

looks to complicated for ... if it brakes I will take to a service... let them mess with it

I ended up getting mine up and running. My motor just wasn't aligned right.

But, I did go through 2 sunroofs...they break so easy.