sunroof latch attachment (Page 1/2)
donuteater306 MAY 30, 11:59 PM
Is there a more secure way to attach the sunroof latch to the body, other than using the two factory studs (bolts)? To get my sunroof to seal properly, I've had to add a shim to the latch. When tightening the bolts, they pull through sheet metal. I know these sunroofs are a PITA for many, hoping somebody has dealt with this before and has come up with a solution...other than replacing the roof with a solid panel! haha
Patrick MAY 31, 01:04 AM

Are all four drain holes unblocked?

I have two Fieros with a sunroof. Either one can be driven in the pouring rain with the sunroof up... and no water enters the cabin.
donuteater306 MAY 31, 01:42 AM
Hey Pat. Yes the drains are clear. I've never had water leaks, just a lot of wind noise. I adjusted the tabs up front to bring the glass tighter to the seal. Now I want to bring the rear closer.
vette7584 MAY 31, 10:14 AM
mine has the wind noise as well, i have no solution for this either
Mickey_Moose MAY 31, 02:09 PM
Did you replace the seal?

Other areas to check are the tabs on the front of the glass and the mounting holes - if there is play here then tightening down the back isn't going to help as it will just pull the front edge up. Maybe the tabs are worn or bent, mounting holes rusted...

Chances are pretty good the seal is just bad since it is most likely still original.
Flying_Dan MAY 31, 02:52 PM
Similar issue on my 85', the rear sticks up too far. The little holes the studs mount through were over tightened by a PO. I did what I could to get them back in shape, add a few shims to the rear latch. It's better, doesn't leak, but still a lot of wind noise. I've had other sunroof Fiero's before and the wind noise from a sunroof adjusted properly isn't very bad at all.

I don't know the true solution other than take out the headliner, sunroof goodies and fix the damaged stud mounting holes and studs. Maybe even reinforce them? I can push down on the back of the sunroof glass with a finger to get it flush-er to the roof. So there's room for improvement.
donuteater306 MAY 31, 08:35 PM
Interestingly, I had replaced the sunroof seal 11 years ago when I first bought the car...bought the gasket directly from the Pontiac Dealer (RIP) lol. Upon installation, I could not get the rear-center part of the glass to touch the seal..glass was 1/4" above the gasket. I made sure the gasket was positioned correctly, I had cleaned all of the original adhesive off the mounting tracks. I was kicking myself in the A$$ as the original seal worked fine, but I had removed it to paint the car and of course it ripped. I thought maybe the latch was worn so my buddies at the dealer located two, I bought em both. New latch, same problem. I had read on PFF that some people have added a shim to the latch to bring the glass tighter to the seal, so I cut a piece of Dynamat and used it as a shim. This has worked fine, no water leaks, but the wind noise is insane. I've ignored it for years, but decided to see if I could quiet it up a bit. As they say, "if it ain't broke, fix it till it is!". So, I bent the forward tabs (just a hair) to bring the front tighter to the seal, that helped with the front. But while at freeway speeds (60-80), the rear is still whistling away. If I pull down on the latch just slightly, the wind noise is gone. I wanted to increase the thickness of the shim but upon doing so, the studs pulled out. I tapped the metal back in place but now i'm thinking, there must be a more secure way to attach that latch to the roof. Sigh

[This message has been edited by donuteater306 (edited 05-31-2019).]

Frenchrafe JUN 06, 02:27 AM
Been having the same problem since 2015 when I changed the seal.
Gave up trying to reshim/reposition/repair the latch - too much force for the latch to hold! It would just break!
So this year, I just bought a good quality black foam seal/draft excluder of about 15mm x 15mm. Double sided taped the foam seal onto the opening, following closely the rubber seal.
No more wind noise!
Doesn't look too shabby when the sunroof panel is removed - no remarks at the last car show when people look at your car.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Rafe

------------------
'87 Fiero GT. 3800 turbo. Sticky tyres. Driven hard!

olejoedad JUN 06, 07:51 AM
I have gone so far as to use a hydraulic jack to raise the center of the back roof sheet metal to match the curve of the sunroof glass.....
Flying_Dan JUN 06, 02:41 PM

quote
Originally posted by olejoedad:

I have gone so far as to use a hydraulic jack to raise the center of the back roof sheet metal to match the curve of the sunroof glass.....




Flying_Dan:
I wonder if years of driving reduces the curve? The front seems to follow nicely, but the back doesn't. Look at any Fiero with very low miles and the glass looks seamless to the front and rear.