Ford sunroof lower guides, how to manually align when they are out of sync.
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- čas přidán 29. 06. 2021
- F-150/250/350/Expedition/Navigator Vista Panoramic Sunroof
If you are replacing your sunroof arms and your lower guides are out of sync with each other, here is how to fix it. Also this can be used to replace the sunroof motor or the shade motor.
How to replace your upper guide arms if they are broken:
• 2015-18 F-150-350 Vist...
How to remove your glass to inspect the carnage:
• 2015-Up F-150-350 Vist...
How to tell if your upper guide arms are broken:
• F-150 Sunroof Arm Fail...
How to tell if you need the entire track and not just the arms:
• Does My F-150/250/350/...
How to lube the seal to prevent excess strain on the guide arms:
• 2015-17 F-150 Vista Ro...
How to initialize/reset the motors after repair or if yours does not work properly:
• 2015-20 F-150-350 Sunr... - Auta a dopravní prostředky
See the links in the description for other helpful videos on diagnosing and repairing these Vista/Panoramic sunroofs
THANK YOU!!!!!!!! This TOTALLY saved my rear end. During a track repair, the alignment got off. When it is off, you are screwed. This was THE fix! It worked!!! I owe you a cup of coffee!!!!
Thank you so much. You’re the only person I found who explains how to do this. Just fixed my panoramic sunroof on my 2010 VW Golf Wagon MK6. I was driving with tape around the thing for weeks to seal it during winter. Saved me hundreds. God bless you!
I rarely comment. I just wanted to say thank you for posting this. Thought for sure I had to replace my tracks or various other parts. Turned out my sunroof bolts were backed out from what I’m assuming was a previous repair. Aligned the tracks and installed the bolts. All is good. Thanks again
Thank you for posting all of your detailed videos. They saved me a lot of money and were a massive help!
Thank you so very much for the video! I ran into this problem on adjusting the slides! I had already replaced the arms, but had the alignment difficulty and you made it easy, and saved me several hundred dollars just to adjust those. I did pop for the dewalt 90 degree drill. I am a 62 yr old female but heck it got me thru!
Glad it helped. You will find a lot of uses for that drill
I have been so desperate to find this exact video for my Jeep Cherokee, but my Jeep has the EXACT SAME sunroof!! Dude you saved me. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Yeah I don't service any Jeep dealers anymore, but a few years ago when they came out with the updated Cherokee I was, and I remember looking at one and thinking that if I didn't know this wasn't an f-150, I would swear it was because the sunroof was exactly the same
Thank you, this helped us get rid of the grinding noise from the motor when we did the install on a 2017 F-250.
Thank you so much for this video! Saved me hundreds of dollars from getting it fixed in the shop.
Awesome vid bud, thank you. I’m jealous of that magnet headliner 🧲
Thanks! Videos made it easy enough to fix myself and save what I imagine a substantially higher repair bill taking it somewhere.
Thanks! Glad it helped!
Thank you SO much for this instruction! One of my sunroof guides broke last weekend. So now I’m looking at how to fix it. Thank you!
You saved my family 3k thank you
Omg this same exact thing happened to my Nissan Altima! Thanks for your help
Just found out the plastic on the guide arm got jammed
Great tutorial. Saved me a trip to the stinking dealership
Awesome!
Thank you for the video, My lower cable guide broke on the drivers side, is it possible to get a new one? What do i need to get to fix it ?
If it's the lower part, then unfortunately the only fix is replacing the entire track.
THANK YOU SIR!!!!!😎🖖🏼
Do you know if it's possible to replace the rail slider piece that sits in the track? (The piece you pushed with the flathead)
That part isn't available that I know of. Only comes with a new track.
I suppose if you had an old track to rob the part out of, it'd be possible.
@@SealofPerfection crazy that Ford won’t sell me the rails or guide. Have to buy the whole kit with the frame
When replacing the guides, and you put the glass back in how do you know the front glass is set correctly? There is a good amount of up and down it can go and mine has a whistle now when it’s in vent.
I really should make an adjustment video.
Usually you put the front corners as far up as they will go, and sometimes they still aren't flush with the roof, but if they're close that's fine.
The rear corners, here's how I do it:
Open the glass. You don't have to go all the way, just let it drop down in back, then stop it and shut it.
THEN, adjust it. I like to put the front glass just a hair higher than the rear glass. That way it'll be level with the rear glass when the play in the whole mechanism lets it drop a bit.
So the rear of the front glass should be almost flush with the front of the fixed glass, but just slightly higher, AFTER you open it and shut it.
Thanks for the video, it was very helpful! I just replaced my guides and had to align them. Sunroof and shade work except when sunroof is closing, it gets to the visor arms (4-5” from closed position) and opens back up. I can manually fold the visor down before sunroof gets to the visor arms and the sunroof will close all the way. Any idea why it may be doing that and how to fix? Thanks!
The front piece on the arms is supposed to push the tension wire/spring thing for the air deflector (assume that's what you mean by visor) as it closes, and it's not supposed to be in the way when the window is almost shut.
Possible they broke?
Stupid question any chance you've had any experience with fiesta sunroof? I have a 2014 and having issues finding the tracks to buy online any suggestions?
I don't believe I've ever replaced
one of those. Seen a few leaks but never a bad track.
They rarely go bad, so you're probably not going to find aftermarket parts. Somewhere like fordpartsgiant might have the factory stuff for cheaper though
Can you do this with the glass still installed or does it need to be out?
You could probably do it with the glass still in. Just push on the round piece that slides back and forth in the arms after you loosen the motor
On a 2018 ford expedition to get this motor loose, does the entire headliner have to come off?
No, it can be dropped on the left side in the 2nd row and get to it, but it's not as easy as a truck because the opening around the sunroof has a metal brace inside it. So it can't just bend down like the truck headliner can. It's not terribly bad, though. Remove the grab handle, the C pillar and you should be able to flex it downward enough to get to it I'd think.
Do you have any videos on Expeditions or Navigator sunroof repair? 2006 Navigator is what I have.
I do them, but haven't filmed much of them. Sunroof Doctor's site has repair parts and a video of someone doing the repair, though.
What to do when your sun roof thinks it’s all the way open but it actually closed? My roof won’t even go back or do the initializing/calibration part
Double tap the button instead of waiting for it to go to tilt.
Can i replace the cable for the lower guide if broken
I think they are just now becoming available so it looks like you can. I have not done one yet but I'm going to soon. You would most likely need to remove the entire track and do it, and do both sides not just one. What you would need to replace the upper arms like as well because they were also always broken
So I just got done replacing the guides on my 2017 f-150 xlt. The passenger side guide is jammed somewhere. It can’t move. I dropped the motor like you did here and the drivers side moves freely, but the passenger side slides back but not forward past a certain spot.
Look for The broken pieces down in there somewhere. You must have missed one
My sunroof guides is stuck between my panoramic glass I can not get them to move forwards. Can I drop the motor to run them back to the front to the close position so that can can replace my broken brackets?
That can possibly work, yes. Unfortunately your lower guides are most likely also broken. They are now available separately and I have a video on how to replace them. Also have one that shows the different broken parts and tells you where they came from so you can know what is broken exactly
My vinyl cover popped out of track how can you pop it back in
That's a whole nother operation there. It basically almost has to be removed and then reinstalled because that little strip that holds it in can only go in when it's first mounted. And that's assuming it didn't get mangled when it popped out
Is the pin supposed to be in the hole when vented or is it supposed to be back a bit?
Once you have programmed it and it is operational, it should never be in that hole again it should be just short of it. When I manually align them I jam it all the way forward into the hole as far as it will go, that way you know they are in sync and not maybe a tooth or two off.
But no, once you have run the initialization and it is back to operational status, it should never get all the way up in that hole again
@Pacfanweb - Any suggestions on what to do if the guides are too far forward and won't move forward or backward?
How this happened: The sunroof was flush on passenger side yet sitting in the vent position on driver side as a result of a piece of broken passenger guide in the track. Ordered a pair of guides from Ford and waiting for them.
In the meantime I simply wanted to close the roof. The guides were misaligned (driver side on correct position but the passenger side post was back about two inches. Removed the glass and then the bump stops at the front end of the rails. Ran the initiation/calibration procedure without glass installed in an attempt to realign the rails with each other to be able to remove both rails (in hindsight this was probably not a good idea).
I was able to get the guides realigned but now they are both so far forward that they won't retract back. Instead they are both now stuck in tilt mode, beyond where the bump stops should be. So far forward that I can't reinstall the glass. I think it is still in initialization mode. The motor just seems to spin freely when pressing the forward button but won't push it or pull the guides in any direction now. Neither tilt or retract buttons command a response from the motor- only the forward button. That's when I hear the motor but no action. Thank you so much.
Here's how to align them manually:
czcams.com/video/uQqhIRTP1GY/video.html
And here's how to inspect the broken pieces you fish out and see if they're from the guides or the lower part of the track.
czcams.com/video/chfqa9zQgS0/video.html
Pacfan, for a 2016 F150 pano roof, can you simply replace the front glass seal to have the 'updated seal', or do you have to purchase the entire glass panel?
Unless something has changed in the last month or so, you can only get it with a new glass, unfortunately.
@@SealofPerfection
Many thanks!
Can you confirm this is the newest part#? ML3Z-16500A18-A
@@Askbob11 Yep, that's the newest # I've seen
It will fit tight. Be sure you lube the seal and say a prayer for your guides
@@SealofPerfection
Lol! I will as I’m installing the new guide set as well.
I’m applying PPF film over the rear fixed glass.
I just wanted ot share my recent experiance with aligning the sunroof lower guide pins in the tracks- so i have had the complete sunfoof track/frame replaced by the dealer in a 2021 F350 platinum. The glass is flush when everything is closed but when partially open or vented the glass is not square left to right due to the fact that the pins are in different postions in the track(grooves) the ramp rate is not linear so left and right will not be working in Tandem.
after the dealer and I came to terms that the lower pins should be in the same postion i showed them this video they adjusted them as such now i have a larger issue ( @WhooptiDo) Had the same issue
the pins are now in the most forward position (large holes) the pins are minimally smaller then the guide/track slots. when the lower guide moves along the track slot and comes to the larger hole it bangs into the hole.
another issue with having the lower guides aligned how the video shows is that when the roof is in the vent position there is ALOT of play in the glass and the glass will bang up and down. You can take your finger tips and push up on the glass 1/2-3/4 inch because the lower guide pin is sitting in the large hole allowing the tracks to be loose.
hope this helps .
If you have those problems, you need a new track or some serious adjustment. Something is not right with your sunroof if it moves as you described.
The method I show to align/sync the lower guides here 100% cannot cause what you are describing.
You simply have something else wrong there.
on 2019 expedition how would you loosen the motor for the cables? thank you
Driver's second row, remove the grab handle, remove the c-pillar, and you should be able to pull the headliner down enough to reach it from the doorway
@@SealofPerfection thank you your videos are great
What if the passenger side rail won’t move after lowering the motor?
Well then that's a problem. Make sure you have the rear trough/plastic drip tray loose from the arms. When you drop the motor, you might want to drop it all the way down and see if the cables are damaged.
But most likely there's either a broken piece in there somewhere that you missed, or the lower cable guide is bad.
I have a video in the description of which broken pieces come from which place...also show in it how to wiggle the lower guide and see if it's too loose or not.
That said, I have had a few that didn't want to move and I kept working them back and forth and they eventually broke free and then worked fine. Must have been a broken sliver restricting them that I never saw. But they did eventually work. You just have to be careful with the plastic parts when you're push/pulling it back and forth, not to break it.
It's there a way to close it manually, the sunroof on my expedition was stuck and I can close it with the controls, I don't know what is the problem
You can use use this method to close it manually as well. Just don't put the lower guides all the way to the tilt position
Can you show me how to get the glass out. Thanks
There is a video in the description on how to take the glass out. I think it's like the second or third one
Hey I drove up a couple yrs ago and had you repair my moonroof on my black lifted F150. I lost your contact number? Mine is working fine now but I would like to keep your contact incase! I met you at the Ford dealership with my girlfriend in spring 2019 I believe it was .. Thanks ✌
Boss I didn’t know I had to loosen those bolts to realease the track cable and pulled the cable out still with the motor bolts tightened and now when I replaced the tracks only one cable pulls which is the one I loosened the bolts on the motor then pulled it out but the other side just sits there and grinds unless I help push it back what should I do I’m stumped
Wow, how in the world did you get the cable out without dropping the motor? It's supposed to lock it in place
That said, if you somehow yanked the cable out by the roots without dropping the motor, it's screwed and the track itself might well be also.
Thanks!
@@Commercialvoice thank you so much, glad you were able to get it fixed
Thanks my motor for my sunshade makes a grinding noise when it's in motion. I wish I knew how to fox that. Thanks for this info...
You sure it's the motor? I've seen a ton of shades that make grinding noises, and it's always been the internal spring in the shade "roller" that was the cause. If it's the motor, just replace it. Just know that you need to replace both motors if you do. They updated them, and the new ones will not program with the old ones, so you need 2.
This video pretty much shows you how to do it. Drop the headliner, completely remove the motor screws instead of just loosening them, and reverse for reinstallation. Perform the initialization and you should be good.
@@SealofPerfection Thank you for the info it may be my spring. Hopefully that will be an easy fix.
If my lower guides are broken what to do?
Replace the whole track.
Where are you located
NC
Do you have a complete install video for a 2008 F-250 ???
My plastic sliders are broken….
No, sorry. That one requires removal of the track and then you disassemble it and replace the "guts" of it while it's out. I've done a bunch of them but never a video of it.
@@SealofPerfection I need to replace my cable and guides since mine are broke. I already replaced the arms with some I got from the Sunroof Doctor. If you could create a video of how to replace the cable and guides, that would be very helpful. Your other videos are very informative and I appreciate you creating them. Thanks
@@dennispruitt497 You can't get the cables or lower guides separately on the 15 and up tracks, unfortunately. You actually can't get the cables for any of the F-150's. If the cables are bad, it's time for a new track unless you just happen to have a junk track with good cables laying around.
You CAN get the lower guides and arms, aftermarket, for a regular 1 glass sunroof...but not for the 2 glass Panoramics.
help, I can´t get my sunroof far enough forward to get the broken stuck pieces out of the tracks. Any suggestions?
It has to come forward. I have someone else hold the "close" button while I push hard on the back of the glass to help it close. Have the engine running when you do it.
@@SealofPerfection I have tried that although I may not have been forceful enough. I am concerned about breaking something. I need to get more forceful, if not maybe its time to lower the motor, would that help?
Thank you so much for being on top of this.
@@jerryclark2859 Yes, lowering the motor is the next step. I usually don't worry about breaking anything, because if it's stuck open your options are limited, and it HAS to shut.
So when you're "helping" it, what you're really doing is making the lower guide jump over the broken piece or pieces that are stopping it. And yeah, it could possible break it further, but there's not much alternative.
Removing the motor and then pushing it closed might well work. Even if you can get it mostly closed...as long as it close enough to get the screws out of the glass and take the glass out, then you can fish out the broken pieces and get the rest of the way.
But when it's open, it's impossible to get the glass out, even if you can get the screws out of it. I've tried. It has to be mostly shut to get the glass out...it can be a little bit open, but not much or it won't come out. Maybe half way at the max.
@@SealofPerfection you are an amazing man, such a helpful personality. Can I pay you for a few minutes of your time. Obviously your schedule. I am an experienced engine, race car, etc etc individual but this is kicking my ass. I would like to chat, and share video with you. I can do a Credit Card, Venmo what ever.
Having the same problem. Just curious what the synchronization is for. If the synchronization realigns the tracks then could you not avoid loosining the motor? Just remove the sunroof glass and initialize. Then put sunroof back in?🤔🤔
The synchronization manually is for when the cables have slipped and they are not in sync with each other anymore. That is mechanical problem and cannot be fixed electronically.
The electronic initialization is to let the glass find the limits of its travel.
@@SealofPerfection thank you
I did this, got the tracks all the forward. Then they got miss aligned again when i tried to initialize. Tried Initialization 3 times. The sunroof will vent, then when it comes to the opening part, it opens about 1- 2 inches then stops.
Any advice?
Were you making a repair? Sounds like you either have broken lower guides, or you still have a broken piece in there somewhere, blocking them from moving.
@@SealofPerfection I was making a repair. I will take it apart again tomorrow and check if something else is blocking it.
So I had my sunroof vented and went to close it. Passenger side closed driver side did not. So driver side is vented an passenger side is closed. I can’t get the motor to do anything now. I will take it all apart tomorrow. But is this kinda the issue people were having to look at the guides? Thank you.
Yep, probably a piece broke off and is restricting the movement. Take the glass out and you'll probably find it and it'll then close properly until you can replace them. Hopefully nothing broke on the lower cable guides, which only come with a new track.
@@SealofPerfection thank you very much I will check it out tomorrow when I have daylight.
My 2017 wont go into vent position...will this possibly fix it? I was able to get glass off and find broken rails pieces. I have new one to install but without vent position it seems difucult..at this point I have nothing to loose and am going to try
You can't install them unless it's vented. Look at the links in the description. I have a video on how to manually get it in Vent if it won't go by itself.
Also, look at the video I have that shows what the broken pieces come from. Make sure your lower guides aren't broken. If they are, you're wasting your time doing the arms.
@@SealofPerfection Sorry Im confused..I have rails for both sides..but the drivers side keeps popping out of track.... and wont vent. Do you think i need full track replacement? here in canada i was quoted 3400 cdn dollars to do
@@SealofPerfection Iv gone through videos. Sorry I dont see the one where it shows how to put into vent postion manually
@@bryansantos5688 this is the one. Instead of lining them up you can just push them all the way to vent
I bought the guides because they are definitely cracked in many places. But, the plastic arm that is connected to the vent cover is broken and does not slide with the guide. Do you know what they are called or if I can order and replace them?
Rear trough or drain.
They are proud of them
@@SealofPerfection the inboard ones that are connected to the guides themselves. They are completely plastic. You go over them when removing the screws for the glass to the guide. It’s what is directly under the accordion fan piece
@@tiffanyrox84 Oh no.
Those only come with a new track.
@@tiffanyrox84 Wait...is it actually broken, or did you not put it back in place? It's the piece you have to pull back on the guide and push on the plastic piece to get it back in place. Because if they're not back in place, they will move freely
@@SealofPerfection it’s actually broken, I had to pull the broken pieces out so now the right o e moves freely which causes the window to go crooked!
Thanks for this vid. I have a couple quick questions:
I just replaced the guides on my F250, both sides before and after look like your passengers side does in this video. Are they really supposed to sit all the way forward into the detent? Other videos I've seen of maintenance on these sunroofs shows them the same where it's not all the way forward. I know that they have to sit all the way forward when you remove the guides. My sunroof operates fine now (on to the next question)
Also, what brought me to this video was the fact that after I replaced the rails, my drivers side closes, but not tightly. I can push up on the sunroof from the inside and it will seat all the way. So I presumed they're out of sync and I'd need to do something like this. Advice?
Okay ask to the first part, I'm not 100% sure what you mean, but if you made them look like the one I had in the video, then it's right.
As to the second part, then that might be why you are seeing them the way they are. Or, it could just be that the sunroof glass itself needs to be adjusted better. Regardless, you can use thus video on how to manually align the guides to make sure they are in sync and then there would be no doubt
@@SealofPerfection clarification. At 3:48 in this video, you pushed the right side forward... but on my truck both sides sit just like yours does before you pushed it foward. The sunroof seems to operate just fine this way. Only thing is the left side isn't pushing up as hard as it should.
Both sides of the glass are set as high as they can be adjusted. No room for movement there. Make any sense?
@@WhooptieDo Did you only replace the upper guide arms and not the lower cable guides as well?
@@SealofPerfection Correct. They were cracked and falling apart.
@@WhooptieDo Okay, well...might want to take a closer look at the lower guides and see if they're also coming apart.
If you still have all the broken bits, I have a video on which broken pieces came from which part.
Hi My sunroof is broken.
2 guide is offset (2 pins each side is offset). ???? Approxymatly 1.000"
i will undo the headliner and see the problem.
is it repaired at low cost.
Thanks
Depends on what is broken. If just the upper guide arms are broken, that's a fairly easy repair if you are mechanically inclined. If one of the lower cable guides is broken, that is a full track replacement and it is not an easy repair.
Thanks. I open the headliner.
These cables coil spring style is functionally.
I removed the motor to replace each pin. But i dont know where is the zero reference?
Ok i founded.
When the sunroof is vent position, the pin align with hole just behind the big hole in the track.
When the sunroof is closes position, the pin align with 2 small natch in the middle of track approxymatly. 👍
Thanks
it is repaired. Thanks
Do Volvo's use the same rail? my volvo s40 2005 sunroof has got one rail stuck open and the other one closed
They are probably made by the same vendor (Webasto) and might have some similarities, as they all do. I wouldn't think it's the exact same rail, but the process here is probably similar to re-aligning them. I don't go to any Volvo dealers though, I haven't worked on one specifically, so I don't know what commonly breaks in them, sorry.
@@SealofPerfection Thank you for your speedy reply
@@gigaChad3505 no problem, wish I was of more help
I could never align the glass properly i have a hard time ,any video of that???
I do have a video on how to align a glass, but it's on a single glass roof. I do some commentary at the end on how to do the panoramic ones, though.
czcams.com/video/HQc79GaJozw/video.html
First of all thank you for the detailed instructions. Also thanks for showing a continuous video not a bunch of cut scenes that leave out good info. I have a 2017 Lariat and my support arms broke. I installed new ones from the dealer myself. My issue is the glass portion now seems to sit low in the frame of the opening on the front edge closest to the front of the vehicle. Like it’s almost already in the vent position. Since that push through arm thing doesn’t end its travel cycle in that pass through hole on the arm at any point I guess I need to drop the motor. I wonder if I use the allen key trick that may do the trick for me since both of my pins align almost identical on both arms. So they should be able to advance on the track and end up in the hole both. Do I unplug the motor if I use the key? Thanks in advance for any help!! Take care and be safe. 🏆🏆🏆🏆🔩
It has a good bit of adjustment room up and down. Did you do that?
It shouldn't need to be manually put in another position if the lower guides are already aligned. You just need to do the initialization procedure and they should be perfect.
@@SealofPerfection Thank you for helping. Yes I did the initializing three times. The problem is the mobile portion of the sunroof is not retracting. I will check the track again to be sure that nothing is in the way. I seriously don’t think anything is in the track because I checked carefully unless something else fell in since I last checked. I removed the two broken parts and matched them up against the damaged arms. So all parts accounted for. …. So far. I got a right angle drill today to reach that motor to drop it like you instructed. BTW…. Those magnets 🧲 are strong! “Like you don’t know that. “ lol. So you don’t think I need to disengage the motor to move those pins forward like you did in the video? And just for clarification if I do use the allen key trick do I need to disconnect the power supply to it first? I don’t want to strip a gear that couples with the motor. Thanks again.
@@clarkkent4991 I have actually never done that Allen key trick. I always drop the motor and move the lower guides manually. If they are lined up with each other and not out of sync, you can try that. I have heard people say it works. There has to be a reason that it's not moving though. There must still be a piece underneath the lower guides or something
@@SealofPerfection You are a genius!!!!! So basically one of the triangular brass looking spring things from the old damaged arm was still in the track. It was jamming it barely. Just enough to cause it not to function correctly. After running the synchronization it runs like new!!!! Dude you are a blessing. Thank you so much. I been working on this for 3 days off and on. This takes a load off of my mind. As far as the glass sitting low in the recessed area. I see exactly what you mean now when you say it has some play to adjust that height. I have mine flush to the roof and butted up next to the stationary glass. Thanks a ton again! Have a great day and be safe. 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
@@clarkkent4991 Great news! Glad to hear you found it. Can't tell you how many times I've thought I got everything out, only to try to operate the roof and have it not move, and sure enough there's one more piece in there.
Hello. 2018 expedition. I’ve replace guide arms and cables. installation goes smooth as per your videos, when attempting to program it, motor just grinds on cable. Sunroof does not operate at all. In trying to figure out the issue I dropped the motor I notice the cable is bend at end from motor trying to push on it and about 2 inches of the cable is now sticking out of the track. This happened twice, first time I thought cable is too skinny I so I sent it back.
Please help, if you’ve got a contact number I can pay for your time. I’ve been messing with this a couple of months now.
I have had a lot of people tell me the same thing with these aftermarket parts.
Make sure that both of your lower guides you can move freely by hand. Make sure one isn't significantly stiffer than the other
@@SealofPerfection thanks for replying. still haven't been able to fix this issue. The lower guides are movable by hand but i think they are naturally a little stiff. when in place and attached to the cables. should i take them back out to lubricate them more and or how free should they be? i think they are looser than the OEM. i always thought my problem were the cables being too skinny. i greatly appreciate the help
@@docam7211 If the cables are too small, the rest won't matter. The gear on the motor has to be pressed tightly against them or it's going to slip.
They are naturally a bit stiff, but you shouldn't have to pop a blood vessel to move them, either.
I'd love to know the diameter of these cables if you have a dial caliper. I could compare to some factory ones and see if that's really what the problem is
I’m going to try this before buying a new motor. I replaced the tracks, and it opened (and closed) 1 time and hasn’t moved since, I think the tracks are off alignment. HOPING this is the issue.
You can tell visually is they're misaligned.
Hi, thanks a lot for the videos.. I am the one asked about the 2021 F150 Lariat that the sunroof did not operate after removal... I have a 2019 that bold on to the 2021 but motors are different so I tried that one and since it did not work I put the original back but did not work :( I check the fuse and it is good, so i close the sunroof manually by turning the motor. Now the 2 issues I have is figure out why does not operate anymore, and 2nd... the 2021 has the piece that hold the sunshade is broken and I could use the one from the 2019 but not sure how I can remove that piece, it is possible or it comes with the frame? any thoughts ... too bad that you are not in Houston! Thanks a lot
The motors have to be replaced in pairs. So if you tried just one, you probably need to buy 2 new ones now. If you try to program one old one with a new one, it can kill them both.
Stupid, but it's happened to me, too.
At best, you need to replace the other motor and your one new one might be okay.
I might need a visual for your other piece that's broken. Not sure which one you're talking about
@@SealofPerfection actually I am using both motor of the 2021 but my mistake was that I connected the 2 from the 2019 , but they were different so I put back the 2021 and now they dont work, so not sure what I am doing wrong. the other piece is the little plastic piece that goes inside the channel on the frame that holds the shade which slice on the channel to close or open the shade.. the 2021 frame has that piece damage. I notice that it stop on the little piece you removed on this video where the little screw where and you remove a little plastic piece as the retainer.. so the piece of the shade stop there. so not sure if that is replaceable or if come with the frame. too bad I cannot add pictures here,, thanks a lot
@@hectorchavarria633 Anything to do with the shade, other than the shade itself, only comes with a new track, unfortunately.
@@SealofPerfection got it, if I have another frame it is possible to swap that piece or cannot be take out? also any thoughts how to make those motors work again?
@@hectorchavarria633 It would be a big job, IF it's possible. You'd have to drill out the rivets on the back where the plastic part that the motors mount on is attached to the metal rails.
Then you could remove the moving parts and potentially swap them over.
I don't know if they're the same, though. Might be, but no way to know for sure without just trying it.
The motors might be dead, unfortunately. All you can do is put the 2 matched motors back in with each other and try to initialize them and see if they work.
I replaced the sunroof arms but it makes a loud rubbing like noise as it goes back and causes a loud vibration while opening the sunroof fully
A grinding type noise? And are you sure you got all the broken parts out?
@@SealofPerfection I’m sure I got all the broken pieces out. It almost sounds like Un lubricated rubber is rubbing while it slides back because it just vibrates very loud
@@Dunkinblownutzz_1 Make sure the front glass isn't adjusted to where it's touching the back glass when it drops down to open. That can do it
@@SealofPerfection it was doing it without the glass on because I tested it before I put it on
@@Dunkinblownutzz_1 Sound like it might be one of the cables, then. Which means it'd need the whole track to fix it.
Can't say for certain without hearing it myself, though.
First of all... THANK YOU for the fantastic videos. I ordered replacement guide arms from Sunroof Doctor and was able to get the driver's side installed but when I took the passenger side guide arm off, I noticed that the "arm" with the round heard that has to go through the big round opening... is loose and doesn't seem to be connected at all to anything like the other side was. I can easily and freely move it back and forth and up and down the track. It seems as though it is broken off of the mechanism. On the driver's side, I had to use a screwdriver to pry the arm backwards and forwards to align the tabs but, on the passenger side, it is just totally loose. Do I have a bigger problem than just replacing the arms?
If that lower arm moves freely, then unfortunately you need the entire track and not just the arms, sorry.
@@SealofPerfection Thanks for the quick response. Is this something a novice like me can accomplish or should I just bite the bullet and take it to the Ford dealer and have them do it? Am I even able to purchase the part for this? I didn't see anything like this on the Sunroof Doctor's website.
@@gregstephens4804 Dealer part, or an online dealer. Sunroof Doc doesn't sell them to my knowledge.
It's a big job. Have to drop the entire headliner.
Expensive at the dealership. Pays 6.7hrs under warranty, customer pay labor probably a good 9hrs, x whatever the labor rate is. About 160-ish around here, so expensive.
I do it for dealers as a vendor, charge them a flat rate that's a lot less, but if the dealer itself does it, it's going to be pricey.
May want to see if a local sunroof/interior shop will give you a better price.
The track itself is probably a good 1500, plus labor.
If you're near NC, I can do it.
Sorry for the bad news.
@@SealofPerfection Thanks...!!!! Yeah, this is not what I was hoping for but it is what it is. I really appreciate your videos. You represent to me all the potential positive aspects of the internet where people come together to help each other. Too often, there is nothing bu negative stuff online so it is super refreshing to know that there are people out there like yourself trying to help and make a positive difference in people's lives. If I was in NC, I would give you my business for sure but alas, I am in Texas. I think I will just try to get the glass reinstalled and see if it will seal up and if so, just ride with it like that for a while. I tried initially to reinstall the glass but the arms aren't lined up so I am off to watch your other videos on that topic. Thanks again. :-)
@@gregstephens4804 Hope you get it shut. Sorry again to be the bearer of bad news.
Have you had one where one of the tracks don’t move at all? With the glass off, my drivers side moves back and forth but passenger side doesn’t move. Does this sound like a bad track or motor?
They should not move at all unless you disconnect the motor from the track
Ok so I just finished replacing both broken track pieces as the most common issue like in your other video. Drivers side of the glass goes down and the passenger side stays up, doesn’t move and makes the constant grinding/binding noise for several seconds then quits. It’s like only the drivers side of the glass moves at all but obviously won’t slide back since passenger side stays up
@@colbyhall2701 If you just replaced the upper arms, you probably have a broken lower cable guide as well. It's rare to just see the upper arms be the only issue these days.
It's also possible the lower guides are out of sync with each other. Or there's still a broken piece in there somewhere, restricting movement.
But most likely one of them is broken
@@SealofPerfection and replacing the cable guide is the really expensive labor intensive part correct?
@@colbyhall2701 Not anymore. It used to mean you had to have an entire track, but now the aftermarket offers the cable/guide assembly and it's not that hard. I have a video for doing it.
Your video is great but unfortunately no matter how many times I disengage the motor. When I try and re sync the motor it trys to push the arms to far forward and just makes the banging noise. It trys to go into venting right away. Thanks
Have you replaced the arms? And if so, did you fish out the broken pieces from the old arms?
If there's still one down there, it'll restrict the movement.
Also it's possible...not super likely, but possible that the initial failure messed up the cable that the gear on the motor turns and it can't grip it now.
But I'd start with looking real hard for another broken piece
@@SealofPerfection yup replaced both arms. Took out all the broken pieces. It goes back and forth and vents properly but once I try and sync it. It tries to push it to forward. I've dropped the motor to re sync the travel. Multiple times. Even learned the Allen key trick to retract the drive. But can't get the sync right. I've given up for now. It's closed and sealed. It can stay like that for now.
Spent 14 hours messing around with it over 2 very cold days. In my garage with half the truck in the garage.
@@richardroy3707 Do the lower guides move freely when the motor is disengaged?
@@SealofPerfection yes they move freely back and forth when the motor is disconnected
@@richardroy3707 Okay, try this: Put the lower guides all the way to the max tilt position with the motor disengaged. Jam them all the way forward.
Then, with the motor still loose and disengaged, turn it on and run the motor to tilt. It'll stop when it *thinks* it's fully tilted.
Then reinstall everything and try the initialization.
Only one side is moving back and forth after I replace the arms now I can’t get my window back on because they are not lined up any help please I’m stuck
Did you replace the lower guides? They are probably broken or at least one of them is. You can use this procedure to put the lower guides in the closed position so you can put the glass back in
@@SealofPerfection I got the both sides working now ,now they arent lining up with each other so I have to go back to your video to figure out how to line the up correctly I believe after that it should be fixed at first only one side was working … now I know why they are so expensive to fix haha 🤣 I’m trying to fix it before I go to bed here in California I don’t want to sleep knowing my glass is off thanks for responding 🙌🏽
@@stizzie408boii if they both work but just aren't lined up you can use this procedure and drop the motor and then put them in alignment with each other
@@SealofPerfection sorry for buggin but I did exactly what the video said to do I loosened the motor but they don’t move like yours do when I try to move them ?
@@SealofPerfection in your video both guides are up and with mine one is up and one is still down cause they aren’t aligned
Hello, I've successfully removed the front glass, loosened the motor, and realigned both sides but the driver side only goes foward all the way and jams there clicking while the other side moves freely... each time either trying to operate the functions or doing reinitialization... passenger side seems to work fine but driver side has no visible obstructions, no cracks/breaks... looked at section above front seats and unscrewed back glass, slid it forward and don't see obstruction along cable track there either... thoughts??? 😊
Are you 100% sure you got all the broken pieces out of there? Those are usually what restrict the movement
Wow thank you @@SealofPerfection for the quick response!! So I've watched videos and thus ensured both the arms, the greased up plastic guides... everything front/back/all around look whole and I don't seen any foreign objects... it's still pretty clean... a 2020 model. I even tried the 'alignment/re-initialization' with the starting points all the way towards the middle of the glass with the window closed and it's able to move without 'obstruction' all the way forward... I'm guessing at this point I would have to further dis-assemble somehow to see if there is something preventing the cable from only moving in one direction...
@@JasonMerkowsky Does the guide move freely when you move it manually with the motor disconnected?
@@SealofPerfection They both seem stiff on both sides equally with the motor loosened and disengaged but I am able to use a screw driver to apply pressure and shift them in any direction forward/back while holding some of the weight of the glass up.... I even tried doing the re-initializing with them offset a reverse amount to see if it was just 'remembering' the positions incorrectly and to try to have the passenger side hit the limit first... but didn't seem to change anything.
@@JasonMerkowsky So when you reinstall the motor and operate it, what exactly are the symptoms? One side moves and you hear a grinding noise as well?
Where are you located?
NC
Would you know how to get the sunshade to close? My issue is, the motor is shot, the track arms and possibly the track itself. I'm not ready to drop the money to fix, but the sunroof is closed, but the sunshade will only close halfway.
I have a 2018 Lincoln Navigator L.
@@billhill5181 yes. The sunroof motor is not completely closed, and that is why the shade will only go halfway. If you are happy with the position of the sunroof glass, what you can do is use what I do in this video and drop the sunroof motor.
Then turn the vehicle on and push the "close" button for the glass. The motor should move whatever little bit it needs to to be fully shut. Then the shade should go ahead and shut all the way
Always lube your rear seal lol