Fixed sunroof rattle! -Procedure & Pictures included-

**325is1993** · 10-04-2003, 01:48 AM

My sunroof has been rattling since the day I got it. My last owner said it rattled for several years, so I guess it's been a long while..
It rattled on highways, especially rough sections on highway 280 (not that smooth near Santa Clara).. Anyways finally I got around to fix it myself by replacing two parts(54-12-8-119-747, 54-12-8-119-748, 14.40 each from Pacific BMW) on the sunroof mechanism.. After fix, amazingly the rattle is completely gone, and it makes you feel much better to drive on highways and rough roads. Without further delay, here it goes..

After noticing it only would rattle when closed, I opened the interior panel below the sunroof, and peaked into the mechanism that tilts the sunroof. The following is quote from : http://www.geocities.com/karlkarlb/e36_sunroof.html

(First, push the button to slide the sunroof back slightly, just enough so that the rear of the sunroof drops about 1/8". Interior panel can be pushed back into the roof by hand. if it doesn't work first time, then close sunroof and try again. I tried several times to get the hang of it.) By the way, once you have done this, try not to slide the roof back any
more or you get the situation where the interior panel comes off of its track and no longer slides back when the roof is tilted. )

At this point, you can peer into the side of the sunroof, and will be able to see lifting mechanism, as shown below.

**325is1993** · 10-04-2003, 02:01 AM

At this point, you are seeing sunroof tilting bar (long black part on the left side. part #: 54-12-8-119-095/096) and small moving part that slides under the tilting bar(in the center, below the tilting bar. part # 54-12-8-110-747(driver's side)/748(passenger's side)). There's groove along the tilting bar, and tilting slide moves forward along that groove to tilt the sunroof.

I tried pushing the sunroof up and down from inside and saw if I can feel the sunroof moving up/down. It could be moved up and down 2-3mm, and there was that noise. It's likely that sliding part is worn and allowed sunroof to move slightly up and down.
Noise seemed to be coming from the point where tilting bar and slide meet.

-to be continued..

**Daved** · 10-04-2003, 02:03 AM

Nice! Thanks for the write-up. My bro says that my sunroof rattles but I can't notice it

**Daved** · 10-04-2003, 02:06 AM

BTW...

Originally posted by 325is1993
...I tried several times to get the hang of it.) By the way, nce you have done this, try not to slide the roof back any
more or you get the situation where the interior panel comes off of its track and no longer slides back when the roof is tilted.

Do you know how to fix that? It happened to me

**325is1993** · 10-04-2003, 02:21 AM

Daved,
I guess you might probably have tried this, but anyways..: close the sunroof completely, then slide the interior panel to the front (slam shut). If this doesn't fix it, then it's possible the plastic part that catches the interior panel is broken. I don't know if it's easy to fix or not..

**ACS320i** · 10-04-2003, 02:39 AM

mine rattles.... i just turn up my radio

**Bernman** · 10-04-2003, 03:35 AM

I am going ot have to try this. My sunroof has been rattling since 1996. Started out only doing it when it was cold outside, and now it rattles constantly. I usually can not hear it above the radio, but the times that I don't have it on, the roof noise is awful.

All I need is time...

Thanks for the info

Bernman

**JT///M3** · 10-04-2003, 03:56 AM

holycow! I thougth I was the only one with this problem! It is exactly how you described it. Thanks for the info. I can't wait for the rest of the post b/c I'm gonna order the parts on Monday and fix that damn rattle!

**stupenal** · 10-04-2003, 06:01 AM

mine rattles like nuts - the lifting mechanism is broken. ive found that if i move the interior panel back - for some reason the rattling goes away. lol

**XmEnNiNjA** · 10-04-2003, 06:29 PM

great write-up imma try this too....mine's been rattling for a couple of years now.

**325is1993** · 10-04-2003, 09:51 PM

I attached the picture of old one. See how its metal part is worn.

**325is1993** · 10-04-2003, 10:13 PM

So finally I ordered two parts from Pacific BMW at 14.40 each + shipping.

Tools: 17mm wrench. one hex wrench. one torx screw driver T20. That's it.

Here's actual steps needed to take out and replace the tilt slider
- Remove sunroof panel. Refer to another write up http://www.geocities.com/karlkarlb/e36_sunroof.html
(Thanks to the author of the site for the instructions!)
- plastic retainer clip visible in the below image should be removed, and tilt bar can be released from support bar.

**325is1993** · 10-04-2003, 10:32 PM

plastic clip removed. This is pretty straightforward to do once you see the real thing.

**325is1993** · 10-04-2003, 10:42 PM

Once we removed the plastic clip, then release the support bar from the tilt bar (support bar keeps sunroof tilt mechanism from moving forward so it needs to be removed from tilt bar).

In the middle of the sunroof track is the small opening from which we can remove the tilt slide and tilt bar. It is covered by a metal cover with a torx screw so remove it.

**325is1993** · 10-04-2003, 10:54 PM

Once the opening is exposed, you can remove the front slide (below picture shows when I am about to remove it).

**325is1993** · 10-04-2003, 11:06 PM

Get a hex wrench and fit it on the hex hole on the sunroof motor, and turn to move tilt mechanism FORWARD.

**325is1993** · 10-04-2003, 11:12 PM

Move the tilt mechanism further forward until tilt slide is visible through the opening as shown below. separate the tilt slide and tilt bar, then remove tilt slide

**325is1993** · 10-04-2003, 11:17 PM

Putting them back together is exact reverse.

I hope this helps someone out there..

**ICTBMW** · 10-04-2003, 11:30 PM

looks kind of intimating......mine does not rattle but its only tilt and the roof won't open....weird

btw good job man!

**Daved** · 10-05-2003, 01:27 AM

Yeah, it's intimating. I wouldn't do it.

325is1993, congrats on the work!

**748*2Risk** · 10-05-2003, 12:33 PM

Mine has been driving me nuts. Thanks for the post, I am going to fiddle with mine when I have some time.

**ICTBMW** · 01-08-2004, 04:00 PM

sorry to bring this back!!!!

BUT i'm working on mine currently, seems like the 4 parts mentioned earlier are broken on my also.....I removed all the bolts/torque screws...but I can't detach the sunroof, any part that i'm missing?

Thanks!

**JT///M3** · 06-26-2004, 12:09 AM

ok, my sunroof panel doesn't want to move back...I have a 98. Is it the same as the older cars? Its on really really tight and it doesn't want to budge. help! working on it tonite.

**JT///M3** · 06-27-2004, 03:59 AM

DONE!!! it worked! no more rattle! whoooohoooo! I'll post tips and updated pics for you guys in a few days...if anyone is interested.

**vdigiovanni** · 06-27-2004, 06:19 AM

please do...want to do this this week..thanks

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Fixed sunroof rattle! -Procedure & Pictures included-

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