Sunroof cable replacement

[jOnathN]

Necro post, but looking for guidance.
Background:
1) 2004LX
2) sunroof is frozen, motor clicks but no movement at all
3) Leaking a touch in heavy rain. I pulled the glass panel, cleaned up the seal edges, and cleaned the drains… which were already clear but no harm done. Still leaks, so I’m ordering a new seal and will run a little permatex around that plastic glass trim attached to the glass.

So, on to the movement. Assume I’ll have to drop the whole assembly like this thread describes. Before I get there, I’d like to drop and test the motor, but removing the motor assembly is giving me trouble. I pulled the overhead console, removed the bracket and screws… but the motor will not come out. It wiggles a little, but will not pull out. Is there a trick to it?

Picture attached

 

[joshuah]

Necro post, but looking for guidance.
Background:
1) 2004LX
2) sunroof is frozen, motor clicks but no movement at all
3) Leaking a touch in heavy rain. I pulled the glass panel, cleaned up the seal edges, and cleaned the drains… which were already clear but no harm done. Still leaks, so I’m ordering a new seal and will run a little permatex around that plastic glass trim attached to the glass.

So, on to the movement. Assume I’ll have to drop the whole assembly like this thread describes. Before I get there, I’d like to drop and test the motor, but removing the motor assembly is giving me trouble. I pulled the overhead console, removed the bracket and screws… but the motor will not come out. It wiggles a little, but will not pull out. Is there a trick to it?

Picture attached

View attachment 3316167

I am in the middle of this right now, and it looks like its the cable guides that are stuck are stuck for me.. My motor is good. I have the 98 100 series and my motor was attached to the frame where the 2 gold screws are, looks like yours is different..

Your motor is probably stuck in with dried up grease? Does it do a back and forth movement when you press buttons? That's the motors security response to not being able to work move fluently. If so - motor is most likely good. You probably already figured it out since this post, but curious what your problem was.

I just dropped all the interior and removed the whole sunroof. Working on the cables now, which will probably need new ones after reading forum.

 

[joshuah]

Has anyone ever fixed their cables without having to by new ones yet?

 

[dbfw]

If you're already in far enough to access them, for longevity it would be best to replace them while they're still available new from Toyota. It's only a matter of time before they're discontinued and then you're stuck, literally. If you can get the old ones out you might be able to clean them up, but because of the way they're designed it would be seriously tough I think.

 

[joshuah]

If you're already in far enough to access them, for longevity it would be best to replace them while they're still available new from Toyota. It's only a matter of time before they're discontinued and then you're stuck, literally. If you can get the old ones out you might be able to clean them up, but because of the way they're designed it would be seriously tough I think.

Yeah, they are stuck solid.... I'm looking now for replacement ones. The ones I found are $360/ea?

63224-60030 Genuine Toyota Cable, Sliding Roof Drive, LH

ToyotaPartsDeal.com offers the great deal for genuine Toyota parts 63224-60030 (6322460030) Cable, Sliding Roof Drive, LH for $349.63. All parts are backed by the Toyota's warranty.

www.toyotapartsdeal.com

Is this the best deal?

 

[saucebox]

Yeah, they are stuck solid.... I'm looking now for replacement ones. The ones I found are $360/ea?

63224-60030 Genuine Toyota Cable, Sliding Roof Drive, LH

ToyotaPartsDeal.com offers the great deal for genuine Toyota parts 63224-60030 (6322460030) Cable, Sliding Roof Drive, LH for $349.63. All parts are backed by the Toyota's warranty.

www.toyotapartsdeal.com

Is this the best deal?

No, not the best deal. https://partsouq.com/en/search/all?q=63224-60030

(I have no idea if your part number is correct, but like-for-like, parts are almost always WAY cheaper at partsouq.com)

 

[McNalty]

Ive done the job several times. The problems with the sunroofs is Toyota used a white lithium lube that dries up with no use or lubrication. You don't need to drop the whole headliner. You can drop it from just behind the second row and forward and let it fall to get access to the sunroof. ALL LC100s can use cables and the cable tube parts from the 98-2002. 03-07 Toyota and Lexus will only sell you the whole assembly when you ask for parts. I strongly recommend you buy a good used full assembly and just swap the whole thing. The time and frustration in buying swapping parts is not worth it. Trust me Ive done maybe 20. Rarely is it anything but locked/rusted cables. Lastly lift/pull the glass before trying to drop the frame it is probably 80% of the weight and makes it very easy when swapping.

Cables are around 160 per side and the tube is like 180. A used assembly is 300-400 shipped and saves you hours of frustration and trying to get the sunroof reset/programmed again later after you disassemble.

1 more thing use a #3 phillips on all the handle screws. Push very hard like you expect them to be on with loctite and prone to stripping. . Once they're broken you can use an electric screwdriver with a #2, You only need 10mm, sockets , #3, #2 phillips to do the job. Often they're easy but if you strip one you'll be screwed.

Will a 03-07 full assembly unit work with the earlier model LX470

 

[mario65]

YEs they are all interchangeable 98-07 same stuff to the bones

 

[Jdfern]

Will a 03-07 full assembly unit work with the earlier model LX4

Ive done the job several times. The problems with the sunroofs is Toyota used a white lithium lube that dries up with no use or lubrication. You don't need to drop the whole headliner. You can drop it from just behind the second row and forward and let it fall to get access to the sunroof. ALL LC100s can use cables and the cable tube parts from the 98-2002. 03-07 Toyota and Lexus will only sell you the whole assembly when you ask for parts. I strongly recommend you buy a good used full assembly and just swap the whole thing. The time and frustration in buying swapping parts is not worth it. Trust me Ive done maybe 20. Rarely is it anything but locked/rusted cables. Lastly lift/pull the glass before trying to drop the frame it is probably 80% of the weight and makes it very easy when swapping.

Cables are around 160 per side and the tube is like 180. A used assembly is 300-400 shipped and saves you hours of frustration and trying to get the sunroof reset/programmed again later after you disassemble.

1 more thing use a #3 phillips on all the handle screws. Push very hard like you expect them to be on with loctite and prone to stripping. . Once they're broken you can use an electric screwdriver with a #2, You only need 10mm, sockets , #3, #2 phillips to do the job. Often they're easy but if you strip one you'll be screwed.

I've been following this thread learning what I can and trying to get the courage up to repair or replace the moonroof on my '03. I've tried searching online for a used assembly without any luck. Can anyone recommend a source to shop for one? I also tried calling some local wrecker / junk yards with no luck.

 

[mario65]

Car-part.com connects you to almost all junkyards. Most of that ship. Some will. If you can find somebody that will take the pieces out of the sun roof and all they gotta do is box up the cables in the tube you need.

 

[Jdfern]

Car-part.com connects you to almost all junkyards. Most of that ship. Some will. If you can find somebody that will take the pieces out of the sun roof and all they gotta do is box up the cables in the tube you need.

Thank you Mario65!

 

[McNalty]

I've been following this thread learning what I can and trying to get the courage up to repair or replace the moonroof on my '03. I've tried searching online for a used assembly without any luck. Can anyone recommend a source to shop for one? I also tried calling some local wrecker / junk yards with no luck.

I have found a couple, they are on the west coast and local pickup only. I assume shipping would be big bucks. I am in TX and will wait for the heat to pass and get serious in the early fall. Check ebay for the listing advertised as Roof sliding Sunroof with roof rack

 

[dbfw]

Do these yards verify that the roof was functional before being pulled from the trucks? Make sure you don't end up with two seized up assemblies. Although I suppose having a second complete would allow you some time to get the cable and guide tube replacement done if needed and then just do a straight swap once you have the headliner down, saving some time and stress if (when) you get stuck trying to get the old cables out.

 

[mario65]

some yes and some no you have to ask

 

[oakback]

It's hard to tell from the pics, so sorry if it's a dumb question, but is it possible to lube the cables without disassembly if my sunroof is still functioning?

 

[dbfw]

There are a few openings in the track where you can get some lube on the cables. In my opinion the most critical spot would be both front corners just before they enter the guide tubes. It's a bit hard to describe if you haven't seen the cassette out of the truck and apart, but I could probably mark up a photo if someone had a good one.

 

[lexicon]

if you can you'd be the first person that has. Not to say its impossible but i gave up a long tome ago

For what it's worth, I got my cables unstuck. I used a propane torch and heated the copper pipe. It melted the grease and I pushed and pulled as I heated it and it started moving. Once it started moving good I pulled it the rest of the way out. I ended up on this thread because I was looking for solutions at getting the old grease off the cables. Hope this helps. Also, goodness is some assembly going to be required to put it all back together!

 

[McNalty]

For what it's worth, I got my cables unstuck. I used a propane torch and heated the copper pipe. It melted the grease and I pushed and pulled as I heated it and it started moving. Once it started moving good I pulled it the rest of the way out. I ended up on this thread because I was looking for solutions at getting the old grease off the cables. Hope this helps. Also, goodness is some assembly going to be required to put it all back together!

I am on the same path, keep us posted as to the results and techniques. Hope it goes smoothly.

 

[lexicon]

I am on the same path, keep us posted as to the results and techniques. Hope it goes smoothly.

The grease looks black after you heat it, but using a drill and a razor knife seems to take the old hardened grease off pretty effectively.

 

[Bisho]

I don't think its grease - its a rubber / plastic. New cables are exactly the same.