2005 X5 4.8is - REPLACING SUNROOF SEAL / ALIGNING THE GLASS...

joemorelli99 · #1 10-31-2012, 02:06 PM

Hi Guys,

I did a search on this - only found one person who was even remotely thinking about doing this DIY (dinan e39). Has anyone else replace the sunroof seal on your X5 (2-piece panorama glass)? Mine is coming loose in spots - want to do it before it falls out completely. How was it? Any tips? How did you get the back portion of glass off to do the area around that?

Also I notice that my main sunroof glass panel does not close flush (slightly down in the front / slightly up in the back). I tried the "hold the vent button for 20 seconds to initialize" trick twice - still not perfectly flush.

Thanks so much - as usual.

~ Joey

salbol1 · #2 11-12-2012, 03:17 PM

There is supposed to be a gap between the front and rear glass, with the front glass riding higher than the rear by 1mm or so.
I'm in the midst of trying to align mine as well, as I just completed the repair of the cassette components in the roof due the the rear window not closing after venting. If I come across anything, I'll post more info.

nezarnuaimat · #3 11-12-2012, 03:39 PM

Hey guys, In order to re-align the glass lid, you have to remove the left and right gaiters.

Here's how:
BMW TIS - 54 12 003 Adjusting glass sliding/tilting sunroof lid

SlickGT1 · #4 11-12-2012, 08:50 PM

I too have the upgraded seal sitting in a box, in the garage. I think you need to remove rear glass, then slide the front toward back. The remove seal. I hear removing it is the bitch. You basically need to clean off the adhesive, on a painted surface, so you can't scrape it. Most end up just rolling it with their fingers, for a couple of hours. Upgraded seal is thicker, reduces wind noise, and helps flow less water. It's not meant to stop water completely, that's what the drains are for. Then you need to recalibrate roof. Full close position, shade closed. Press up, to vent position, hold till it returns to closed position.

salbol1 · #5 11-13-2012, 02:08 AM

This TIS is for the seal itself.
BMW TIS - 54 13 055 Replacing seal for slide/tilt sunroof frame
If you can actually avoid removing the rear window completely, it may help you out. You'll need to take out the 4 screws holding the window in place, and then reverse the front window so it retreats back into the shell. Then if you can manually lift the rear portion of the back window (the part that lifts when it vents) remove the liner in that area. After you complete that portion, you can then tilt the front portion up (so that the middle of the rear glass acts like your pivot point), the rear portion goes down and you can remove the old liner from that area and keep working your way around. I don't know why, but as long as the glass remains in at some point, it's not nearly as difficult to deal with.