Sunroof guide track replacement

[jpool]

Has anyone replaced the plastic sunroof guide tracks on their Genesis or Equus, and is it possible to do it without removing the headliner?

I recently bought a '13 Equus, and when I tried to tilt the sunroof for the first time, there was a nasty cracking sound, and upon closer examination, both of the plastic sunroof guide tracks are broken. I managed to close the sunroof by prying the guide tracks with a screwdriver, but I'd like to get it fixed. Looks like the replacement parts are about $100 per side, but the repair procedure outlined in the service manual looks a bit discouraging. The book calls to remove the sunroof frame assembly, which requires removal of the headliner, which in turn requires disassembly of much of the interior, including removal of the rear window(!).

Before ordering the parts, I was curious if anyone has tackled this job, and if there are any shortcuts to avoid gutting the whole interior? If not, I may just try a quick epoxy repair, and if that doesn't work, learn to live with a non-op sunroof.

 

[Mtamboro]

Has anyone replaced the plastic sunroof guide tracks on their Genesis or Equus, and is it possible to do it without removing the headliner?

I recently bought a '13 Equus, and when I tried to tilt the sunroof for the first time, there was a nasty cracking sound, and upon closer examination, both of the plastic sunroof guide tracks are broken. I managed to close the sunroof by prying the guide tracks with a screwdriver, but I'd like to get it fixed. Looks like the replacement parts are about $100 per side, but the repair procedure outlined in the service manual looks a bit discouraging. The book calls to remove the sunroof frame assembly, which requires removal of the headliner, which in turn requires disassembly of much of the interior, including removal of the rear window(!).

Before ordering the parts, I was curious if anyone has tackled this job, and if there are any shortcuts to avoid gutting the whole interior? If not, I may just try a quick epoxy repair, and if that doesn't work, learn to live with a non-op sunroof.

So, not sure about the Equus but a replaced my passenger side rail in my 2012 rspec and didn't have any of those issues. I just removed the accordion rubber cover and three torx screws. Then reversed the process while installing the new guide rail. I bought it on ebay for $69 dollars. Took maybe 30 minutes.

 

[jpool]

Thanks, that is encouraging to hear. I got sidetracked with a couple of other repairs on the car, and haven't had a chance to look into the sunroof yet. I'll post an update here once I get to it.

 

[russhg]

Sure would like to see a procedure for replacing the guide rails. Both mine are broken and I attempted to put new ones in but there is no where to slide the rails back and lift them out. There is a cut out in the track further back but not sure it's large enough to get the rail out and put a new one in. Also looks like a may have to take out the guide cables that go to the motor. Some picks or video would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jpool]

I did attempt a "shortcut" repair on my '13 Equus, but with limited success. Just to be clear, the right way to replace the tracks at least on the Equus is to remove them from the rear, but that requires the removal of the sunroof assembly from the body, which seems like a very involved process requiring gutting of much of the interior.

It is possible to get the old tracks out and new ones in from the front, but that's certainly not what Hyundai intended. I was able to do this by cutting out little bit of plastic with a Dremel tool from the area circled in yellow below:


Putting the new tracks in was a bit nerve-racking since you have to bend the plastic parts quite a bit to make them fit, and you're bound to get a few small nicks in them from the sharp corners of the aluminum rails.

With that being said, I was able to get the job done in a reasonable time, and both the sliding and tilting functions of the sunroof worked after the repair... for a short while. I was able to operate the sunroof for about ten times, and just when I was starting to celebrate a successful repair, the sunroof got stuck in a crooked position while I tried to close it. The rails had gotten out of sync with one in the front and the other one in the back. After removing the glass again, it was a major PITA to try to figure out how to drive both tracks to the closed position again. Once I got the sunroof closed again, I promptly removed the fuse and swore to never touch it again...

I was not able to determine if the failure was due to the bending and small nicks in the rails due to my shortcut replacement procedure, or if there's some other problem with the mechanism. Since the sunroof failed in a similar manner to begin with, it's also possible that there's some other underlying problem I couldn't figure out.

Anyway, I hope this write-up helps other owners who are wondering about the repair options.

 

[russhg]

Thanks Jpool. I tried to slide the rails back hoping I could remove them at a rear cutout, but it's not happening. I too believe the proper procedure requires taking down the headliner to access the sunroof assembly, then removing it far enough down to pull the rails out the back. Great design!!
Anyway, I'm glad you were able to get it to work at least for a while. I also have a deflector at the front which would have to be removed. I don't see one in your picture. If I am able to get the slides back far enough to remove the deflector, I may be able to do what you did.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[jpool]

[...] I also have a deflector at the front which would have to be removed. I don't see one in your picture. If I am able to get the slides back far enough to remove the deflector, I may be able to do what you did.

It is possible to remove and replace the wind deflector from the front, I had already removed it in the picture I attached. The guide tracks need to be in the right position for you to be able to remove the wind deflector from underneath them.

 

[russhg]

I'm assuming that you removed the motor before moving the guide tracks. Did you have any trouble get the guide cables lined back up when reinserting the motor?

 

[jpool]

I'm assuming that you removed the motor before moving the guide tracks. Did you have any trouble get the guide cables lined back up when reinserting the motor?

No, I should clarify that I never removed the motor, cables, or the steel slider pins that are driven by the motor via the cables. The Hyundai replacement part comes with the full assembly including cables, but only the plastic guide tracks on which the metal slider pins slide on were cracked, so the purpose of my repair was only to replace the plastic tracks.

If I recall correctly, it should be possible to replace the plastic guide tracks and the wind deflector all while the slider pin assembly remains in 'sunroof closed' position. Most of my troubles came after the repair attempt when the sunroof got crooked again, and the slider pin assemblies got out of sync between the left and the right sides.

 

[Sergioalvarez1]

Hi my name is Sergio from Clearwater Florida and I have the same problem whit my genesis 2010 where I can buy parts for the sunroof?

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[MOHpro]

So, not sure about the Equus but a replaced my passenger side rail in my 2012 rspec and didn't have any of those issues. I just removed the accordion rubber cover and three torx screws. Then reversed the process while installing the new guide rail. I bought it on ebay for $69 dollars. Took maybe 30 minutes.

So, not sure about the Equus but a replaced my passenger side rail in my 2012 rspec and didn't have any of those issues. I just removed the accordion rubber cover and three torx screws. Then reversed the process while installing the new guide rail. I bought it on ebay for $69 dollars. Took maybe 30 minutes.

Mtamboro. I have a 2012 genesis sedan and I also have to replace the passenger side guide rail. I cant find it on ebay or anywhere on the internet. Do you know the part number, or where on Ebay you got it? Maybe it is still in your order history? Any help is appreciated.thanks

 

[iJayBT]

Unfortunately, I ran into the same problem on my 2011 Genesis Coupe GT. Can the people that had experience on how to close the sunroof manually? jpool, you said you used a flathead to prying the guide track to manually close the sunroof? Do you have a picture that I can reference to? I don't think I'm going to the extend of replacing the guides, probably just going to close it up and call it a day.

 

[Jpkcpa]

I did attempt a "shortcut" repair on my '13 Equus, but with limited success. Just to be clear, the right way to replace the tracks at least on the Equus is to remove them from the rear, but that requires the removal of the sunroof assembly from the body, which seems like a very involved process requiring gutting of much of the interior.

It is possible to get the old tracks out and new ones in from the front, but that's certainly not what Hyundai intended. I was able to do this by cutting out little bit of plastic with a Dremel tool from the area circled in yellow below:
View attachment 22071

Putting the new tracks in was a bit nerve-racking since you have to bend the plastic parts quite a bit to make them fit, and you're bound to get a few small nicks in them from the sharp corners of the aluminum rails.

With that being said, I was able to get the job done in a reasonable time, and both the sliding and tilting functions of the sunroof worked after the repair... for a short while. I was able to operate the sunroof for about ten times, and just when I was starting to celebrate a successful repair, the sunroof got stuck in a crooked position while I tried to close it. The rails had gotten out of sync with one in the front and the other one in the back. After removing the glass again, it was a major PITA to try to figure out how to drive both tracks to the closed position again. Once I got the sunroof closed again, I promptly removed the fuse and swore to never touch it again...

I was not able to determine if the failure was due to the bending and small nicks in the rails due to my shortcut replacement procedure, or if there's some other problem with the mechanism. Since the sunroof failed in a similar manner to begin with, it's also possible that there's some other underlying problem I couldn't figure out.

Anyway, I hope this write-up helps other owners who are wondering about the repair options.

I just replaced one of my tracks in my 2012 Genesis sedan by cutting out a small piece like you suggested. I did not experience the out of sync that you did, however, I believe if you loosen the motor screws (no need to remove the motor), u can back the motor off a bit to allow you to align the tracks manually so they are in sync. I did not have to do this, but was prepared to do so. Removing the overhead cover is fairly easy (two screws in sunglass holder) but putting it back is a bit of a PITA as there is a plug connection with not much slack that’s hard to reconnect. I just tugged on it a bit to give me another half an inch and was able to barely make the connection. The front tabs of the overhead cover need to be inserted before you attempt that, otherwise you can get them back in. In any event, I am more than happy I can use the roof again. Works perfectly. Now waiting for the second track to go (lol).