This job is time consuming (I won't get into the lost time of running to Home Depot for a lost screw which my cousin lost). I figure now that I know what I'm doing, it should take about 4 hours to do the rebuild.
The sunroof rebuild kit costs about $43 (which it seems that the dealerships are trying to make a killing on unsuspecting Maxima owners charging anywhere from $500 on up over $1000 to do what I did I'd say this is a $150 job at the most).
Here are the pics:
At this point, everything needs to come out of the roof including the lining. The rear seat, the plastic covers for all of the pillars, visors, the rear view mirror, the 3 interior handles and the interior lights were removed to drop the roof liner.
The next pic shows the bolts that need to be loosened to remove the glass from the track. There are plastic covers that need to be removed that hid the bolts. This goes for both sides.
There are brass fittings at the end of the track that need to be removed in order to slide the broken tracks off. Chances are if your sunroof doesn't move properly, your tracks my look like this...
The first of the 3 pics show that damaged tracks. The cables are disconnected from them. The last pic shows the old against the new.
When we removed the old tracks , the cables were still stuck inside of their guides. We used the new cables to push them out. There is much more to be explained on this part of the job because after the new tracks go in, you will need to put the track back up into the car (with the sunroof glass bolted back onto the tracks) to see if the glass is flush with the roof when in closed position. Befroe this is done, everything will need to be in position as if the sunroof is closed. We must have pulled the sunroof out like 10 times to get the sunroof's height correct.
If everything goes right, the roof should fit back in like this....
You will need to adjust the height after test fitting the sunroof to the roof.
The rest of the pics show us getting the car back together and showing the end results of the sunroof's movement and open/closed position. We were very happy with the results.
Originally posted by maxedout95 Im thinkin about putting a sunroof in my car but the problem is that there was never one in there before so do you think it would be impossible for me to do this cuz I heard that even the dealer would have a problem to do this and it would cost me like $ 500-700 just for labor.
I'd say its not worth the time, money or headaches with owning the sunroof. You'd need a lot of parts to do it plus you would haveto cut a hole in your roof. The cost of all of the parts would probably run a little over a $1000. I'd say keep your money or use it for engine mods.
I forgot to add, when you remove the sunroof assembly, it is a good idea to clean the guides with brake cleaner. Brake cleaner is the best for removing oil and grease residue quickly. Just be sure to lube the guides and every other moving part before you put everything back together.
Quote:
Originally posted by Bernout Good thread. My sunroof has a 'track' problem; i.e. the motor is fine, but it won't slide back, and it only pops up about an inch on one side only... is it off the track?
Oh yeah!!!!! The cable is more than likely disconnected from the track. The track itself has nowhere to go but forward and reverse so it can't jump off the track (which is a good thing).
Quote:
Originally posted by JustMaxin96
DO you really think It was the track that is bent? Where do I get that kit? Thanks Again!!
The only way to know is to take the roof lining out. I don't think its bent, I think you may have the same issue as most people have with these sunroofs. Scroll up a bit and you will see where to get the kit from (for under $50).
Quote:
Originally posted by PolarisGT Thanks for the writeup. Now I am thinking of repairing the same roof problem with my Maxima myself. What deters me is "The rear seat, the plastic covers for all of the pillars, visors, the rear view mirror, the 3 interior handles and the interior lights were removed to drop the roof liner." How hard is it to remove virtually all upper interior of the car? Any special tools needed other than the common wrench and screwdriver?
I used a drill with a Phillips head bit and a socket set because some of the screws and bolts are in tight.
there's nothing to be discouraged about. All you ahve to do is pull all of the pillars and lay thm on the ground in order so you can keep track of the parts. In order to drop the headliner, you will need to remove everything attached to the roof. Oh yeah, it's better if you get another set of hands to help because the sunroof will need to be held in place in order for you to bolt it back up.
If you guys look through the 4th Gen FAQ's you'll find some of the answers to your questions.
The parts shown are the major parts to control the sunroof. If the sunroof isn't funtioning properly, the rebuild will solve the problem (unless the motor burns out).
__________________ Modded 97 GXE Auto [Yeah she can run, but now she needs a kick in the arse!]
15.6 Stock 1/4 Mile
Yes the part you are looking for is the cable with the lifter mechanism. That is why your sunroof can only move up and down on one side. This is the weak link of your sunroof system.
Deezo- you got the entire kit for 50 bucks? Just the part I just mentioned is over 100 from the dealer. Where can I get this kit? Can you please e mail me this information at party_boys@hotmail.com
But I just wanted to say 'good job' one more time. Thanks.
__________________ Cleaning up the .org's grammar, one member at a time.
1999 SE, Pearl White/Black leather - Fully loaded with all factory options except TC (ABS, heated seats, side airbags, etc.) - Supercharged (322 HP / 307 TQ)
Originally posted by maxedout95 Im thinkin about putting a sunroof in my car but the problem is that there was never one in there before so do you think it would be impossible for me to do this cuz I heard that even the dealer would have a problem to do this and it would cost me like $ 500-700 just for labor.
The dealer (well, maybe not your dealer should be able to point you to a place that does aftermarket sunroofs.
Some dealers send out cars that arrive OEM without roofs to get them.
Typical costs are $800-$900 with a lifetime leakage warranty.
I never bothered trying to find such an installer myself without asking the dealer. Both times I asked I ended up getting a car with the OEM roof.
Actually, dealers can get the equivalent of pretty much any factory option installed through local shops.
hey deezo
i have the same problem..my sunroof stop working after my spring break in april. I brought it to the dealer and they told me 1000+ to fix it. And is my track liner that got disconnected or broken but the motor is working fine. I would like to get a instruction of how u did yours so in the future i can do mine.
But is a good i can have your e-mail or better yet if u have a screen name that i can talk to u about it. Let me know thanks. I hate paying that much money if i can do it for just less than 200.
Dude can you tell me how to adjust the height of the sunroof. Mine works fine but kinda rattles and there is some up and down play in the rear end of the sunroof when closed. I'm guessing it just needs adjustment.
Thanks
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SuperBlack 95SE 5spd
"0-60? I'm already doin' a hundred when I'm blunted and I give it to any ***** that want it" - CaNiBuS
Is there a trick to forcing the cables out? There does not seem to be any movement,once I hit a certain point on the track (after it curves forward), so I think I am missing something. Both cables are broken and they are sitting in the track at the front of the sunroof. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks for the write up, without it, I would not have gotten this far.
Jeff
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The Car:
95 Black Emerald SE
The Mods:
All the ones you should have been able to do in under an hour, but somehow, spent half the day on...
Originally posted by nizmo Dude can you tell me how to adjust the height of the sunroof. Mine works fine but kinda rattles and there is some up and down play in the rear end of the sunroof when closed. I'm guessing it just needs adjustment.
Thanks
Bump for this post. I have a similar problem, the track moves forward/back fine. However, when fuilly closed, one side sits a bit lower and there is some play. I have to tilt it up slightly to keep the seal.
Is it the track?
It works, but I just need to adjust the height one one side. Possible?
Let me explain my problem to you guys.
Car: 1997 Nissan Maxima SE
The sunroof opens going back ONLY, but when you go to close it (Slide it Forward) you can hear the motor, and you can see the sides of what holds the sunroof go forward, but the actual sunroof doesn't close, it just sits in the closed position, untill i Physically slide the sunroof to the front with my hands. Also the tilt feature does work, you can hear the motor working but the sunroof stays still, and also i noticed after this problem, I can't fully close the sunroof as in the front is against the roof of the car, but the back portion that actually tilts, sits in kinda in...so there's a GAP, where you can hear wind noise, and water leakage when it rains.
I talked to the local dealer and there telling me that part number you guys have listed is an invalid part ##, those *******s. Hell if it's that simple..i'll do it myself once i locate a rebuild kit. How long did it take you to do?
Plus I can't acces vqpower.com, it says the site is down.
Quick question. The roof panel, the sliding panel under the moonroof, seems to be off its track. How do I get it back on track and which track is it supposed to be on? If it's answered in this thread just please say so. I'll look for it later.
Hi all. I know this thread is from awhile ago but I have a question on how you adjust the height of our sunroof once you get it back in the car. The fron of the roof look flush fitting but the back of the glass doesn't quite fit flush, can't seem to figure out how to get it up flush fitting. Any help will be appreciated.
My sunroof is not closing flush against the roof but is fully functional. Will I still need to get the kit? If not, can I just realign the sunroof without taking it apart? Thanks for the assist.
Mine also moves back and forth but does not close COMPLETELY. very close though. would i still need the repair kit, or is there anything else that can be done?
__________________ 1996 Nissan Maxima 5MT 3.5 (Getting a fresh remix)
1995 Nissan Maxima 4AT "Champagne Coolie" *Sold*new home in FL
1997 Nissan Maxima "Powder Fresh" 5MT 3.5 (performance built)(*new plans*)
Maxxximum90 sounds to me you are having the same problem as me... I was told by a mechanic that they are all designed to leak... that is what the drip pan is for: however when i open mine the pan slides toward the back of the car like it is supposed to but when i close it.. it stays back there instead of following the glass back to the front of the car.... this is the rigged way from keeping it from leaking....
pop moonroof up reach back inbetween headliner and pull you pan foward by hand... you have to do this every time it rains to keep from getting wet or just do it and dont open sunroof up... you can only pop it up... if you can figure out a way fix the pan economically please let me know
i just ordered the kit from www.buynissanparts.com the total came to around 50 bucks shipped. im gonna take the thing apart and see what is causing it to leak...and see what all i need to do.
__________________ Cleaning up the .org's grammar, one member at a time.
1999 SE, Pearl White/Black leather - Fully loaded with all factory options except TC (ABS, heated seats, side airbags, etc.) - Supercharged (322 HP / 307 TQ)
hey, i just did this rebuild memorial weekend so if you guys want to ask me any specific questions, just shoot me a pm.
as for the pan issue...
on the pan, there is a clip that connects to the sunroof track, so when the sunroof slides open, the pan slides back with it. and when u close the sunroof, the pan again slides with it. it seems to me that the clips are broken, or maybe they just fell outta place. the repair kit comes with new clips.
check the technical service bullitin of the sunroof rebuild and u'll see what im talkin about.
I'd say this is a $150 job at the most).
should be able to point you to a place that does aftermarket sunroofs. 
