adventurenali92
Full Access Member
If I trade mine in for a newer one, I’d have to start all over again to get it where I want it! Lol here’s what I used for my sunroof tracks!
Sunroof track arms have snapped - any experience with a fix?
- Thread starter Z71Tahoe2004
- Start date
Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
oldchev
Full Access Member
2004 GMC Yukon Denali.
Me Too! Damn sunroof deflector track guide problem. Both side guide arms now broken. I can close it if I watch my fingers and pull the air deflector down when closing. I see the parts at TG Automotive (not clearly) and they say "Sunroof assembly must be removed from vehicle to install repair parts. Installation instructions included."
Well I have seen the headliner removal procedure (on youtube) and it looks like a ***** of a time.
Anyone done this using those parts? I would love to see those instructions. Don't need a complete overhaul just those guides. Anyone done anything successfully with this? all the best... -N
Me Too! Damn sunroof deflector track guide problem. Both side guide arms now broken. I can close it if I watch my fingers and pull the air deflector down when closing. I see the parts at TG Automotive (not clearly) and they say "Sunroof assembly must be removed from vehicle to install repair parts. Installation instructions included."
Well I have seen the headliner removal procedure (on youtube) and it looks like a ***** of a time.
Anyone done this using those parts? I would love to see those instructions. Don't need a complete overhaul just those guides. Anyone done anything successfully with this? all the best... -N
adventurenali92
Full Access Member
I bought the kit from TG automotive. I don’t believe there were any instructions included with my kit.....
oldchev
Full Access Member
Thanks adventurenali92...
Greg from TG emailed me back and said they don't carry that part (slide arms). So I'm interested in knowing what parts you have with the kit.
He said most customers just remove the deflector. I have looked at both sides and they broke in the same spot. I imagine the constant flexing over 16 years made them break although I bet had I lubed them with silicon grease they may have lasted longer.
Maybe I can salvage a pair from another vehicle, or fabricate something that will work. Or perhaps someone has done this repair and would like to share?
Greg from TG emailed me back and said they don't carry that part (slide arms). So I'm interested in knowing what parts you have with the kit.
He said most customers just remove the deflector. I have looked at both sides and they broke in the same spot. I imagine the constant flexing over 16 years made them break although I bet had I lubed them with silicon grease they may have lasted longer.
Maybe I can salvage a pair from another vehicle, or fabricate something that will work. Or perhaps someone has done this repair and would like to share?
adventurenali92
Full Access Member
Yeah my kit just came with what was pictured on their website. Interestingly enough when I was trying to pull the little spring loaded clips that attach to the front of the air defector, both of the slides arms broke on the one in the junkyard that I was disassembling to see what I was in for. Such a shame that gm made all the track pieces for these things out of cheap fragile plastic....Thanks adventurenali92...
Greg from TG emailed me back and said they don't carry that part (slide arms). So I'm interested in knowing what parts you have with the kit.
He said most customers just remove the deflector. I have looked at both sides and they broke in the same spot. I imagine the constant flexing over 16 years made them break although I bet had I lubed them with silicon grease they may have lasted longer.
Maybe I can salvage a pair from another vehicle, or fabricate something that will work. Or perhaps someone has done this repair and would like to share?
oldchev
Full Access Member
I just found this from "Gary in Texas" on another post. I don't know how long the repair lasted but he posted in 2018.
Quote: "I know this is an old string but I had the same issue with my 2006 Avalanche...both broke out of the blue. What I did was drill the rivet out, took some shrink wrap and connected the two parts together...I did not glue them due to in needs the flexibility. I then riveted back in, put some lubricant on top of the shrink wrap so the frame will easily slide across it...viola...it works."
I may take one of mine out and see if I can hand fabricate a duplicate. Gotta be something easy, like Gary did, to do.
Quote: "I know this is an old string but I had the same issue with my 2006 Avalanche...both broke out of the blue. What I did was drill the rivet out, took some shrink wrap and connected the two parts together...I did not glue them due to in needs the flexibility. I then riveted back in, put some lubricant on top of the shrink wrap so the frame will easily slide across it...viola...it works."
I may take one of mine out and see if I can hand fabricate a duplicate. Gotta be something easy, like Gary did, to do.
That's an interesting low-tech solution, I might try it myself, my deflector arms have "always" been broken. I just hold it down with my fingers while closing the sunroof but my wife's hands are to small to do it with one hand so she has to pull over to close the sunroof.
I imagine, for the shrinktube fix, you have to cover the entire length of the arm as to not have a the end of the tube for things to get stuck on.
Also, shrinktube is relatively high in friction so it will be important to keep it well lubed.
oldchev
Full Access Member
I thought about reposting this as a new thread with a different header for interest however I'll see where this goes.
I contacted Paul at Gruven Parts (www.gruvenparts.com). He said he could fabricate a new pair of arms out of steel or aluminum but needs written commitment for about 20 sets. I sent him pictures of mine. He needs a broken set to use as templates. More research but said in the $100-$200 range per pair. I would be willing to pay this if the flex point (the weak spot) is reengineered and disclosed.
At this point I use my fingers to hold down the deflector until the roof panel catches it. After looking at the shrink tube fix I agree it needs to be long enough to keep the arms from moving forward when the roof panel catches it.
I contacted Paul at Gruven Parts (www.gruvenparts.com). He said he could fabricate a new pair of arms out of steel or aluminum but needs written commitment for about 20 sets. I sent him pictures of mine. He needs a broken set to use as templates. More research but said in the $100-$200 range per pair. I would be willing to pay this if the flex point (the weak spot) is reengineered and disclosed.
At this point I use my fingers to hold down the deflector until the roof panel catches it. After looking at the shrink tube fix I agree it needs to be long enough to keep the arms from moving forward when the roof panel catches it.
Neal, with the external deflector like you have, have you considered simply removing the pop-up deflector since it is obviously not providing any "deflection". I might pick up an external deflector myself, I didn't even think of that until I saw your pictures.
TollKeeper
Full Access Member
Sorry about digging up an old thread, but am needing to do this repair on my Esky. I can not find the kits anywhere. Suggestions?
Similar threads
