Can anyone explain the procedure for removing the rearmost sunroof panel for retrimming? It looks like it slides off the rear of the tracks after removing the gray rubber plugs, but I'm encountering a spring-like resistance and don't want to break any plastic. Wondering if there are clips that need to be depressed? On my last retrim I had the entire track assembly out of the car and can't recall this aspect. Thanks

 

It comes out the top when the sliding roof steel panel is removed.

 

Many thanks - would never have thought of that. Makes one wonder when taking these to a trim shop for new headliner how many do it correctly.

 

Needed help removing the sunroof's rear sliding panel, and now need help with the install. The spring-loaded arms that pick up the rear panel don't seem to align properly. Here you can see the pin of the arm standing mostly proud of the slot in the panel. After a few inches of travel the arms snap out of the panel. Any direction on what's wrong here? Otherwise the headliner install is complete save the rear glass trim. Has anyone ever installed the rubber gasket for the rear glass and have any tips?

 

Solved the problem. I put a straight edge on the arms and noticed they were slightly curved (bent) inward. They appear to be cast metal, but some gentle persuasion got them straight and everything's working as it should.

 

For future reference, you don't want to try bending those arms much as they have a tendency to snap and given the general lack of sunroof part availability, that would be a bad day. People have had better luck bending the shaft that holds that cast arm. I solved this issue by placing a clip over the two pieces to hold them together.

 

Years ago I wrote up a procedure about bending the FULCRUM point, NOT the arm itself because the cast part is brittle.

That is the way I handled the fault when I worked at the dealer when the arm 'slipped-out' of the plastic block.

 

I hate cast metal almost as much as cast plastic. All you have to do is look at it and it breaks!

 

Bob, what if your sunroof tilt isn’t working? I know one side wants to tilt up but, the other side definitely won’t. Is that just a complete removal of the sunroof assembly in order to repair what’s broken? My sunroof will slide all the way open and close just fine otherwise.

 

It will need to 'tilt' up to remove the larger interior panel because it slides out the opening to the rear.
Then the sliding steel roof panel is removed. (3 screws on each side)
The short interior panel is 'clipped' to the plastic track followers and it comes out the top.

You might need to drop the entire assembly from inside but it will be heavy.

 

Hey Bob, sounds to me as if you might have done this a few times.
Texas is my "olde stomping grounds"...Irving, Euless, Arlington area.

 

Been working on British cars in the Fort Worth area for decades.(and VWs, whoever was paying more!)

Sling roofs on the X300/X308 sedans kept us busy at the Jaguar dealer.