rattling pano sunroof

[bigwave2255]

hi guys, while my 8 year old pano sunroof has been ultra reliable, over the last year or so it has developed a rattle.

when the roof is closed the front section rattles in the back right hand corner of the glass panel, if i open or tilt the rattle goes away

if i push up on the panel in the back rh corner there is play that is not apparent on the back LH corner, remember this is the back of the FRONT panel im talking about.

ive had a good look around and i cant see any reason for the rattle, as yet i haven't pulled anything apart.

however if i could easily remove ( and i haven't tried) the convoluted rubber side thingo,s i may be able to see better, maybe there is a rest or stopper that needs adjusting.

can anyone give any experience based guidance , also it seems that the convoluted rubber side seal is just a push on affair, has anyone tried removing it and with what results.

any help greatly appreciated.

oh by the way when closed the glass panels sit perfectly flush with the roof, and i have lubricated the rails etc with a silicone based spray.

2005 E53 Sport 3.0d

[mcurcio1989]

I have the exact same thing but it is on my right side. If I crank it up manually after it stops it will stop the rattle but it sits a little above flush. From what I have read this is an indication that there is wear on the rails and mechanism (kind of an impending failure). To be honest I haven't looked into it much more than that because I plan on pulling my pano cassette out and rebuilding with the front and rear kits from ecs tuning. . .for various reasons. I've pulled the rubber side things off they just pull off and push on, no big deal.

Mine has a additional problems but if I were you I would try re-initializing it first. I may be exaggerating the issue, I am just telling you what I have read on this.

[Clockwork]

bigwave, I have the EXACT same problem now for two year sand I CAN NOT solve the issue. I've tried everything other than removing the sheets of glass and re-doing the rubber surround, which I DO actually have and may do this winter.
I have removed the rubber accordion boots on each side of the large glass sheet to inspect the screws for looseness, and NOTHING, but it seems like thats the issue. press up on the glass when in closed positiona dn sound goes away, seems like it just needs a fine tuning somewhere. I've tried rubber tape, re-initializing time and time again... I have removed the entire headliner to look for loose screws in the cassette and nothing. and let me tell you, taking the headliner off is easy kinda, but a time consuming process for sure.
I've researched for about a year, and even posted in many thread about solutions to this all too common issue, but no one seems to have a solution other than just buy the kits and replace.
I'm wondering if I just need to buy two new kits like mcurcio has to do as well and just bite the bullet. Once I get it fixed, I'm not using it again haha. HATE My e53 cause of that rattle. I've often debated selling it because of this rattle. And it gets extremely worse in colder temps, so I'm crying now as I drive it in winter.

[mcurcio1989]

have you ever just manually cranked it up? Obviously once you open and close the roof its going to be loose again but for the sake of getting rid of the rattle it works great on mine. About one turn and it is tight as can be.

I'll let you know if the rebuild kits takes care of it. I am fairly confident they will.

[Clockwork]

Mcurcio, I've never but I figure it would do the same as me pressing up on rear of glass panel. I just vent the window to make the sound go away, but that can be cold in winter

PS: would love to hear of your install and potential success.
PPS: what are the two kits for your pano roof repair? I can only find one at ECS.
BMW E53 X5 N62 4.4L Search SiteSearch Panoramic ES#2145031 Panoramic Roof Repair Kit - 54107227894

[mcurcio1989]

I have no idea where Ricky Bobby found this cause he sent me the link and I can't get it to come up on my own either but here it is BMW E53 X5 N62 4.8L Search 54137118849 ES#157541 Sunroof Cable Repair - 54137118849

That is for the main and then the cheaper one that you linked is the rear. . .or so i am told. It does make sense when you look at them.

[mcurcio1989]

I have no idea where Ricky Bobby found this cause he sent me the link and I can't get it to come up on my own either but here it is BMW E53 X5 N62 4.8L Search 54137118849 ES#157541 Sunroof Cable Repair - 54137118849

That is for the main and then the cheaper one that you linked is the rear. . .or so i am told. It does make sense when you look at them.

[Clockwork]

I wish I could remember the member who first posted this fix, but here is a video I did of the repair job. VERY basic and only requires 30 mins and electric tape and utility knife
BMW e53 moonroof rattle solution - YouTube

[Brandon002]

I have the same problem... After weeks of trying to solve it I fixed it by turning up the radio.

[Junkycosmos]

Agreed on how annoying the rattle is. After changing my shocks it is not near as frequent but does still drive me bonkers.

The rattle locations on mine appear to be both the front glass and the plastic cover that goes across from left to right between the front and rear glass. Pulling this cover down helps with some of the small squeaking but not the glass rattle.

I too have found that the colder the temps make the rattles worse. Thinking maybe a softer rubber seal might help I do have a new rubber seal to replace but have not tried it yet.

Clockwork,
Thanks for your post. Which rattle did the tape fix, glass, track or other?


Junkycosmos
2005 4.8is