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DIY Alcantera Headliner & Roof Rattle Fix

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Old Jun 24, 2002 | 02:11 PM
  #1  
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Any1 have rattling sunroof?

The sunroof rattles in the headliner when open and the manual sunroof shade rattles when pushed back and roof closed. I had annoying sunroof rattles in my 98 E430 and now have the same in my 2002 E55. Hoped MBZ would have fixed it by now.

Anyone have this problems and have dealer fix it. When I had the problem in my E430 the Dealer said (3 years ago) there was no proper fix I was told. At first the headliner vibrated and they put in extra padding and then the sunroof rattled. Thanks for any input.
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Old Jun 24, 2002 | 03:31 PM
  #2  
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Re: Any1 have rattling sunroof?

Originally posted by E55 KEV
The sunroof rattles in the headliner when open and the manual sunroof shade rattles when pushed back and roof closed. I had annoying sunroof rattles in my 98 E430 and now have the same in my 2002 E55. Hoped MBZ would have fixed it by now.

Anyone have this problems and have dealer fix it. When I had the problem in my E430 the Dealer said (3 years ago) there was no proper fix I was told. At first the headliner vibrated and they put in extra padding and then the sunroof rattled. Thanks for any input.

I had rattle in hte manual sunroof shade that drove me crazy but as it turned out my tire preassure was low . I was running stock 16" and was very unhappy with the cornering --one day put 2 psi over what MB recomends on the gas tank cover wich was 27psi. I had it at 29 and 30psi and rattle unexpectedly was gone----- till this day. I since also changed to 18"and run 36 psi versus recomended 34 psi by techs at ASC. NO rattles in the sunroof anymore.
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Old Jun 24, 2002 | 09:16 PM
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All of them, as much as I can...
I have an appointment at the stealership next week for exactly THAT reason. My E430SE had the problem from day1. It also had squeaks in the rear headrest assys that I squirted w/ WD40. It hasn't reappeared yet. I also have a small tear in the headliner so I guess they have to replace the whole thing. Then there's the strange popping sound in the fuel door area everytime I roll to a stop...
As I'm away all week, they suggested I leave it there all week. I'll report as soon as I get it back on the 8th.
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Old Jun 26, 2002 | 10:41 AM
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techbike, "stealership"! That is funny!

Good Luck and let us know how it turned out.
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Old Jun 26, 2002 | 11:12 AM
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I know this doesn't help you guys, but for these reasons I ordered my E430 Sport WITHOUT a sunroof. I hate them. Never seen one that didn't rattle at some point.

Good luck in getting them fixed, things like that drive me CRAZY!
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Old Jun 26, 2002 | 11:23 AM
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MikeyE430, REALLY! Your E430 is absent the sunroof! Eventhough, the sunroof rattles must people want them. Resale/Trade-In may be somewhat difficult without it.

How long did your special order take from order date to reception date?
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Old Jun 26, 2002 | 12:36 PM
  #7  
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Special order

Kev

I ordered the car thru my local dealer using M-B's European Delivery program. I ordered it late March, early April and picked it up at the Sindelfingen factory on May 25, (2000). It was exciting! Saw them building the E-Class, toured museum, etc. They wine and dine you, put you up at 5-star hotels, etc. Drove it 500 miles thru eastern France, western and southern Germany, and Austria. Got to drive it 130 mph on the Autobahn coming into Munich.

The car freaked out the Germans. They know every little badge and nuance of their beloved Mercedes. Couldn't figure out what mine was with the sport badge, different wheels, AMG body kit, etc. Got a lot of looks. Had German tags on front and rear the whole time.

Finished tour, dropped off car at hotel in Munich, flew back to states. Car was at my dealer mid-July ready to go. It was a real experience-I recommend it.
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Old Jun 26, 2002 | 05:40 PM
  #8  
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sounds like an awesome experience mikey,,

always wanted to roam the autobahn.. too bad L.A. traffic is a merely 5 mph on a good day.
oh well, can only play when going on the 15 to vegas.
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Old Jun 27, 2002 | 01:23 PM
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Mikey, That Euro Delivery Trip sound very exciting. One day I may step up and take my delivery that way.
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Old Jun 27, 2002 | 01:47 PM
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Euro delivery

hey Kev,

Yep, it is definitely worth your while. However, they do NOT do a Euro delivery on E55s! Not sure why. Maybe that will change.

Mike
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Old Jul 9, 2002 | 07:13 AM
  #11  
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All of them, as much as I can...
Fixed!

I picked up my car and the stealership fixed the problem. They installed felt strips around the sunroof lip where it was rattling inside the headliner My car must have sat a while before delivery and somehow, the heat, or something sagged the headliner just enough to cause this. I can't really see it. The rattle is gone. There was a small tear in the headliner so a new one was requisitioned for and it's coming from Germany in 3 weeks. They also ordered 1 new headrest for the back which apparently was deformed (posts) and was rubbing, causing the squeaks.
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Old Jul 10, 2002 | 09:13 AM
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techbike, thanks for the update. I am making an appointment for mine soon.
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Old Jul 10, 2002 | 07:36 PM
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My 2000 E430 4Matic has the aforementioned problem with the sunroof rattle. I've had it replaced twice. Plus, I have java interior and the damned thing gets really dirty at the place where the sliding liner meets the roof. Any more technical description than "felt strips" to shim the thing? I'm going in to the "stealership" (love it!) to get my VDO instrument cluster replaced (can't read temp. or gear/time). so I will ask them to try again.

I miss the sunroof without the liner in the W124. My buddy says the glass roof/ liner combo should technically be called a moon roof, though I don't know why.

The rattle really makes me angry. Plus, the lid to my vanity mirror on the driver's side visor just broke off.
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Old Jul 10, 2002 | 11:09 PM
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Thumbs up

techbike, did you go to rallye to have them fix the problem? I have an appt on the 25th of this month to go over some rattles in my car, including the one with the roof. They just replaced a rubber mount on my steering column which was causing the car, when you just start it, to groan a little like there was no power steering fluid. Rallye did the work, i'm really satisfied with their service...no wonder they're number 1, eh?:p
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Old Jul 11, 2002 | 08:04 AM
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All of them, as much as I can...
BenzE: You know that the stealership gets reimbursed for labor and parts on all warranty work, don't you? So, they'd rather replace the darn thing than be creative about fixing something...drives next year's MSRP just a notch up
My service guy did not elaborate on the fix, other than installing felt strips to take up the gaps in the back. They fixed it though.
Hey I get that groaning too. Did the rubber replacement fix it? I'll have to let them know about that.

Paomien: Rallye is pretty good. I've only had a couple of run ins in 12 years! Being #1 sometimes breeds a little "attitude".
You should read my post about popping in the rear:
.
click me

Anyway, speak to Russ C. when you go for the rattle fix. Tell him I (Ray) mentioned the felt fix, then DUCK! JK. Good luck.

Last edited by techbike; Jul 11, 2002 at 08:07 AM.
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Old Jul 12, 2002 | 08:20 PM
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Exclamation

LOL techbike, I'll mention the felt fix. I loved the post you had regarding the popping sound. Let me show you guys the list I have for the July 25th appt:

1) Rattling sunroof shade
2) transmission rough shift from 1st to 2nd at times (it's been doing it on and off since it was new, they reprogrammed the transmission, then it's gone, but then it comes back again )
3) I get the NO CD CHANGER message at times too. They fixed that *knock on wood* at my last appt with them, they replaced the radio head unit. Surprisingly, it was the head unit that was defective, not the changer. Now the stereo is actually louder and more clear, but the radio lights up a different colour than the AC control unit ... they say because the radio is new, but I never recall my radio lighting up that bright. It's bright orange, almost BMW color style, and the AC unit still lights up that dull greenish color)
4) Now my CD sometimes starts to play from the beginning of the disc when I start up the car, instead of playing where I last stopped it
5) My brake pedal, when the car is in park only, feels like it's rubbing against something when you let it up for the last 1/2 inch or so. you hear a clicking noise. only in park. strange
6) moonroof creaking when I open it. probably just needs grease
7) alignment off...steering wheel off center to the left. funny, this car needs frequent alignment, and i avoid potholes, and am not at all hard on the car (my first set of brakes lasted me 42,900 miles). They always cover it under warranty, although i know they shouldn't, but it's strange.
8)rear passenger side woofer popping a bit, and so is the passenger side front door speaker
9) glovebox creaks when it opens, it doesn't drop down, it drops a few inches then you have to push it along and creeeeeeeak

techbike - the rubber piece fixed the problem. They spent quite a bit of time looking for the cause of the noise. If Russ doesn't know about the problem, Kevin Wade will (he sits 2 seats to the left of Russ....well..russ sits on the end, so 2 seats from russ). Kevin's my service advisor, and he's always good with trying to help me with the problems and all. It's actually a rubber something or other connected to the steering, and yes it's solved the problem *thank God*. Let me know, if you're going one day to get that fixed i'll meet up with you and they'll know how to fix it LOL they know my face there too well :p
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Old Jul 15, 2002 | 08:27 AM
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All of them, as much as I can...
That's quite a list. Good Luck!
I hope you get everything resolved.
Keep us posted. Maybe I'll hook up with you on the 25th. I need some stuff from the parts dept.
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Old Nov 19, 2003 | 11:35 PM
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Question sunroof busted, help

hi peoples,
my sunroof just stop working. wont open at all. actually can pop rear, but will not slide open...anybody know a shop in san diego, riverside area that can replace my sunroof frame? dealers wants $1500, $800 for parts and $700 labor...too pricey for a starving student like myself...thanks for any info in advance
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Old Nov 20, 2003 | 12:06 AM
  #19  
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I have helped several people with this problem.

Please post exact problem in detail.

When you open the sunroof, does it open at all? (few inches).
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Old Nov 20, 2003 | 12:12 AM
  #20  
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no, it doesnt open at all. you can hear the motor or cable trying to open it but doesnt open. the passenger side will drop a little crack but thats it. the dealer said the motor was fine but the frame needed full replacement. on invoice, they said a piece of cloth was found that hindered it from working. thanks for any help or suggestions....i can open and close the rear lift w/o any probs though
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Old Nov 20, 2003 | 03:30 PM
  #21  
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Re: sunroof busted, help

Originally posted by gokool
hi peoples,
my sunroof just stop working. wont open at all. actually can pop rear, but will not slide open...anybody know a shop in san diego, riverside area that can replace my sunroof frame? dealers wants $1500, $800 for parts and $700 labor...too pricey for a starving student like myself...thanks for any info in advance
$800 is too much for just part. IMO...maybe try your local independent MB shop for a better price. Good luck and please keep us posted.
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Old Nov 20, 2003 | 06:14 PM
  #22  
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vng.. the price is right from the dealer, I had the same estimate on mine. I fixed it for less than $5, and 30 minutes of labor.

I believe if you do a search of my post I may have posted the technique.
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Old Nov 20, 2003 | 07:50 PM
  #23  
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From: temecula
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merc1,
just checked your past posts....nothing saved on sunroof repair....any tips on how you fixed yours? thanks bro
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Old Nov 21, 2003 | 01:06 PM
  #24  
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Originally posted by Merc1
vng.. the price is right from the dealer, I had the same estimate on mine. I fixed it for less than $5, and 30 minutes of labor.

I believe if you do a search of my post I may have posted the technique.
Merc1 - that's good to know, thanks for the info.
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Old Nov 24, 2003 | 02:22 PM
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Merc1-
Can you please post your method as to repairing the sunroof?

Thanks
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