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****** UDPATE 6/20/22 ********
I've updated the material to a stronger carbon filled material that seems to be holding up quite well. I'm using a set on my personal vehicle and also have positive feedback from a number of other testers with some age on theirs installs.
I have a large qty. printed now (after some downtime on my 3D printer). Pricing is $30 per pair of clips (per vehicle side).
Venmo me @davet797 and include your shipping address.
I'm also attaching an install instruction sheet to this post for reference.
Hi all....I recently started to do a DIY lube maintenance on the panoramic sunroof on my C400 and realized that one of the plastic v-shaped guide clips was broken.
After researching this problem, I realized that this is a pretty widespread issue with this OEM sunroof design and many people have reported a similar issue. This ultimately causes road noise and binding during opening/closing.
The published repair involves removing the entire headliner in the vehicle to gain access to the end of the guiderails in order to slide in the replacement clips (a lot of work).
I decided to design a repair-in-place clip to solve this issue. I printed them on my 3D printer out of PLA and installed on my car and it has been in service for about 2 months now without any issue. They are working amazingly well!
The clips will install on the guiderail, then the sunroof yoke will slip down into the grooves, then the retainer inserts will get a dab of superglue and be pressed into place to lock it all in place. Allow the glue to cure for 4 hours before using sunroof.
I was a bit leery that super glue would have enough "guts" to hold up....but it turns out the super glue is actually stronger than the PLA plastic.
Attached are a few pics showing the design.
I'm looking for anyone else who has the broken clip issue and would like to try out my clips? I want some additional feedback on how well they'll hold up with use.
Anyone?
Awesome to hear!! I’ve never opened my pano roof on my C400 because I’m afraid of this happening maybe I’ll give it a try now, knowing there’s an easier/cheap solution!
Thanks for sharing! Can you share the file so those of us with 3D printers can try them out?
Im sure mine will break in time. kinda afraid to open the roof to grease things without having a fix ready on hand. how does the PLA hold up with heat?
Thanks for sharing! Can you share the file so those of us with 3D printers can try them out?
Im sure mine will break in time. kinda afraid to open the roof to grease things without having a fix ready on hand. how does the PLA hold up with heat?
I'm going to hold off sharing the files, as I may want to sell them for a reasonable price if they continue to to work well.
The PLA seems to be holding up very well, no issues so far in the summer heat.
Yea I saw those while I was researching how to repair mine. I can't figure out for the life of me exactly how they are supposed to work or how you would install them without pulling the headliner and accessing the end of the rails.
Hi all....I recently started to do a DIY lube maintenance on the panoramic sunroof on my C400 and realized that one of the plastic v-shaped guide clips was broken.
After researching this problem, I realized that this is a pretty widespread issue with this OEM sunroof design and many people have reported a similar issue. This ultimately causes road noise and binding during opening/closing.
The published repair involves removing the entire headliner in the vehicle to gain access to the end of the guiderails in order to slide in the replacement clips (a lot of work).
I decided to design a repair-in-place clip to solve this issue. I printed them on my 3D printer out of PLA and installed on my car and it has been in service for about 2 months now without any issue. They are working amazingly well!
The clips will install on the guiderail, then the sunroof yoke will slip down into the grooves, then the retainer inserts will get a dab of superglue and be pressed into place to lock it all in place. Allow the glue to cure for 4 hours before using sunroof.
I was a bit leery that super glue would have enough "guts" to hold up....but it turns out the super glue is actually stronger than the PLA plastic.
Attached are a few pics showing the design.
I'm looking for anyone else who has the broken clip issue and would like to try out my clips? I want some additional feedback on how well they'll hold up with use.
Anyone?
hello! I have had the same issue and was quoted a ridiculous amount to fix them, I’d like to try your clips out!
My left side facing front of car. The sunroof is broken! That exact clip and I have a 2015 c300. I’d like to try! Do you have any installation instructions? The dealership quoted an insane amount to fix for me as well. I’m genuinely surprised it’s not a warranty fix complaint. I do see it’s an open investigation by NHTSA though as of this year under this specific 2015 model year.
My left side facing front of car. The sunroof is broken! That exact clip and I have a 2015 c300. I’d like to try! Do you have any installation instructions? The dealership quoted an insane amount to fix for me as well. I’m genuinely surprised it’s not a warranty fix complaint. I do see it’s an open investigation by NHTSA though as of this year under this specific 2015 model year.
do you have the link to the open nhtsa investigation news? Also, are there any class actions we can join regarding this. W205 is junk between the wrist pin issue and this sunroof I wish I bought a Toyota honestly would have been more reliable. And Mercedes won’t do a damn thing but tell you sorry it’ll be 10 grand to fix. Never buying a Benz again
do you have the link to the open nhtsa investigation news? Also, are there any class actions we can join regarding this. W205 is junk between the wrist pin issue and this sunroof I wish I bought a Toyota honestly would have been more reliable. And Mercedes won’t do a damn thing but tell you sorry it’ll be 10 grand to fix. Never buying a Benz again
also, did you try his clips did they work/last??
It's a good thing I don't like sun in my face and wind in my hair. 🤣 AC!
I'm going to hold off sharing the files, as I may want to sell them for a reasonable price if they continue to to work well.
The PLA seems to be holding up very well, no issues so far in the summer heat.
Hello. I recently discovered that all four of sunroof shoes were broken in my W205. How are your 3D prints holding up? Have you made a decision on whether or not you'd want to sell them?
Hopping around all the threads, there doesn't seem to be an easy / inexpensive repair to this problem. Your fix appears to be the simplest yet effective method. Thanks.
[QUOTE=flyboyusa;8208277]Hi all....I recently started to do a DIY lube maintenance on the panoramic sunroof on my C400 and realized that one of the plastic v-shaped guide clips was broken.
After researching this problem, I realized that this is a pretty widespread issue with this OEM sunroof design and many people have reported a similar issue. This ultimately causes road noise and binding during opening/closing.
The published repair involves removing the entire headliner in the vehicle to gain access to the end of the guiderails in order to slide in the replacement clips (a lot of work).
I decided to design a repair-in-place clip to solve this issue. I printed them on my 3D printer out of PLA and installed on my car and it has been in service for about 2 months now without any issue. They are working amazingly well!
The clips will install on the guiderail, then the sunroof yoke will slip down into the grooves, then the retainer inserts will get a dab of superglue and be pressed into place to lock it all in place. Allow the glue to cure for 4 hours before using sunroof.
I was a bit leery that super glue would have enough "guts" to hold up....but it turns out the super glue is actually stronger than the PLA plastic.
Attached are a few pics showing the design.
I'm looking for anyone else who has the broken clip issue and would like to try out my clips? I want some additional feedback on how well they'll hold up with use.
Anyone?
I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND WOULD LOVE TO TRY YOUR CLIPS. THIS IS FRAUSTRATING.
@flyboyusa ,All four of my clips broke last Sunday and I would love to buy these clips and give them a try. Ripping out your headliner to access the track bolts is ridiculous. Do you have them for sale?
Last edited by C3004matidriver; 07-10-2021 at 11:53 PM.
flyboyusa,
I opened My wife’s sunroof today and the clips in both sides are broken. She is pissed at me. Are you still doing prototypes or do you have some for sale?
Hi everyone, the original set that I printed lasted about 3 months and now one has broken. I'm re-printing out of a stronger material that I'm hoping will last longer. I'm going to install and trial on my C400.
If I'm able to print some extras, I'll send out to whomever can test them for me.
Hi everyone, the original set that I printed lasted about 3 months and now one has broken. I'm re-printing out of a stronger material that I'm hoping will last longer. I'm going to install and trial on my C400.
If I'm able to print some extras, I'll send out to whomever can test them for me.
I'll re-post once I have more printed.
I would love to test out your clips and I'm willing to pay for them. I bought a set of clips online but they are aftermarket and made in Turkey. They are not OEM, the same dimensions but slight variations. I thought about trying to cut out a part of them as your design and gluing it back together after installation. Your solution looks a lot easier.
Hi everyone, the original set that I printed lasted about 3 months and now one has broken. I'm re-printing out of a stronger material that I'm hoping will last longer. I'm going to install and trial on my C400.
If I'm able to print some extras, I'll send out to whomever can test them for me.
I'll re-post once I have more printed.
I would love to test out your clips and I'm willing to pay for them. I bought a set of clips online but they are aftermarket and made in Turkey. They are not OEM, the same dimensions but slight variations. I thought about trying to cut out a part of them as your design and gluing it back together after installation. Your solution looks a lot easier.
Hi everyone, the original set that I printed lasted about 3 months and now one has broken. I'm re-printing out of a stronger material that I'm hoping will last longer. I'm going to install and trial on my C400.
If I'm able to print some extras, I'll send out to whomever can test them for me.
I'll re-post once I have more printed.
Hi, I’m definitely interested in trying them out, I would also be willing to pay for them.
Hi everyone, the original set that I printed lasted about 3 months and now one has broken. I'm re-printing out of a stronger material that I'm hoping will last longer. I'm going to install and trial on my C400.
If I'm able to print some extras, I'll send out to whomever can test them for me.
I'll re-post once I have more printed.
HELLO flyboyusa. I am from the UK, I have a c220d premium plus model, had it 2 years no problems with the roof, I checked this week and 1 of the clips is broken, I do not want to take the whole roof out just to put new ones in, could I please purchase some of your stronger home made 3D printed clips/brackets and could you send instructions on how to install please?
ive had this problem repeatedly on my c400 and also my gla250, apparently they hate the florida sun. I finally traded and got the regular sunroof...on my c43. biggest headache ever!
11-22-2020, 12:59 PM
maybe I’ll give it a try now, knowing there’s an easier/cheap solution!
UK - Need the clips please
