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Noticed last week when I arrived at a factory to conduct an inspection that the flexible rubber gasket that connects to a small, thin rail, on the underside of the sliding moon roof, was free and disconnected (only on the drivers side).

 

It also had the appearance that it had been squashed in a twisted "S" curve, indicating that it had been disconnected for some time (getting squished crooked when the roof was closed.

 

I easily reconnected the gasket to the rail and noticed that it became disconnected as the roof was nearly closed. I *think* that the unnatural curve in the gasket is putting too much stress on the "crimp" connection and it just pops off the rail.

 

Currently I have it closed with the gasket connected, hoping that this will re-straighten the curve out of the rubber, but time will tell (may have been disconnected for years afaik.)

 

Anyone have any other ideas as to what I can do to force the rubber gasket back into a straight alignment? Tried over bending the rubber by hand, thinking it would begin the retake the proper shape, but it continues to take the S shape.

 

Thinking of using a hair dryer to heat the rubber, but the old doctors guide, "first do no harm".

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I easily reconnected the gasket to the rail and noticed that it became disconnected as the roof was nearly closed. I *think* that the unnatural curve in the gasket is putting too much stress on the "crimp" connection and it just pops off the rail.

 

I believe they it is connected (if similar to my 2011), it could disconnect while opening the sunroof, not while closing it. The front end of the "accordion gasket" is supposed to be lodged inside a opening in the plastic on the of top the rail at the front. It does not move move with the sunroof, but there is a slider on the top of the "accordion gasket" which is connected to the sunroof, that slides with the sunroof. Sorry I can't take a picture because i don't open my sunroof anymore because of the broken rail sliders.

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Unfortunately, similar to any gasket or o-ring once it is deformed it is usually permanent.

 

You can try some heat, but be cautious and don't allow too much temp build up in a single area as it could cause the rubber to become brittle or warp even more.

 

Perhaps a small amount of carefully placed RTV will help the gasket stay put?

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Perhaps a small amount of carefully placed RTV will help the gasket stay put?

The gasket is still properly attached to the frame of the bamr. It's the top groove that is separating from the guide rod attached to the bottom of the bamr. (This guide rod slides in and out of the top channel of the gasket).

 

Been thinking, if the gasket has been disconnected for a long time, perhaps it's been squashed out-of-shape and taken this curvature due to the gear of the sun heating the bamr. The heating and cooling cycles may have "tempered" the rubber to hold the twisted shape. If so, perhaps if I were to sit the car in the sun with the roof closed and with the gasket properly fastened, it will "retake" the correct shape over time. Annnnnnd maybe not.

Edited by enigma-2
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Ok, went to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo on Sunday. Nice sunny, hot day. Left the car closed up when we came out later in the afternoon, the car was hot inside. Opened the moon roof and the accordion gasket had softened and was completely flexible. Opened and closed without falling off.

 

Writing this incase it happens to anyone else. If the gasket comes off (and it can come off quite easily), and get pinched, distorting the shape of the gasket, it can be fixed by re-attaching and letting the sun soften it and retake the original shape.

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Next time you have your bamr open, look at this "accordion gasket" and you will see that it's different from an o ring. Designed to be highly flexible as a rod slides inside its channel and also has to compress under the weight of the moonroof (all while the rod is sliding inside it).

 

I *hope* that it remains pliable for the life of the car, was relived when I see it take its original shape after being in the sun.

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The timing here is perfect for me on my 2011 Limited. I have the exact issue enigma-2 had except on the passenger side and took the same steps about a week ago (got the roof to finally close with the accordion gasket staying in the rail). I have the same deformity (kink) from who knows how long it was pinched like that since I bought it as a CPO. So hoping for the same success..............

 

Need a good hot day to see if the heat warms it up enough to reshape itself and stay in place

 

Great post

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  • 5 weeks later...

Followup

 

Thought about this thread I had started last May and thought I'd chime back in by saying that it's still connected and working well.

 

It appears that the sun heating the accordion gasket is what caused it to loosen ans closing it when disconnected caused it to deform. Re-engaging the gasket with the rod reinstalled, closing and allowing the sun to reheat, reformed it to the original shape (which it continues to hold).

Edited by enigma-2
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Enigma-2

 

Again good timing, a month to the day since I took your advice. My wife usually drives the Edge and last night asked if I'd like to clean it up before a trip she's taking this weekend. So, the sunroof has been closed since my last post as far as I know. I hopped in and immediately opened the sunroof, and was very pleased to see the gasket stayed on the rail! Thanks again for the sound advice :thumbsup:

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  • 2 weeks later...

Spoke too soon I guess. The accordion gasket (FT4Z-78500A66-A Shield) fell on my daughters head yesterday. :shrug:

 

I'm done messing with it and ordered the replacement part from Ford for $90.72. I'm clearly in the wrong business if this hunk of rubber can be sold for 90 bucks.............

 

 

 

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mangled is the correct word...... The old one looks a bit like a broken finger.

 

And since I've put the old one back on several times, it really surprised me how the new one "snapped" into the bottom slot on the rail. It sure feels like the new one is there to stay (and no adhesive required). Fingers crossed :spend:

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well, there's no instructions, so there was some trial and error. Reason being: I could slide the old gasket a bit even after it was on the rail but the new one took real force to move it (a good thing I suppose). So since it's harder to move the new one once it's in the rail, that means you have to start by inserting the front correctly in the front plastic notch and then work towards the rear. Once you get near the back, you have to slide the top of the gasket into the upper rear plastic guide (of which a new one is also included in the package) and then force the rest of the fanned tail into the lower rail. I didn't use the new rear upper rail since mine was fine

 

So if I knew all that in advance it's a 2 minute job

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well, there's no instructions, so there was some trial and error. Reason being: I could slide the old gasket a bit even after it was on the rail but the new one took real force to move it (a good thing I suppose). So since it's harder to move the new one once it's in the rail, that means you have to start by inserting the front correctly in the front plastic notch and then work towards the rear. Once you get near the back, you have to slide the top of the gasket into the upper rear plastic guide (of which a new one is also included in the package) and then force the rest of the fanned tail into the lower rail. I didn't use the new rear upper rail since mine was fine

 

So if I knew all that in advance it's a 2 minute job

Ah I see. I thought it was simply an issue of putting the gasket back on.... And getting it to stay on. I did not know there was a right way to do it. Thanks for sharing the steps.

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