Sunroof

[sib8292]

Had a problem replacing the sunroof some while back, ended up using the manual override in the boot to wind it back into place. Now when the tilt is used it opens unevenly so that it is wider open on one side than the other.

Q1. is this a problem with the gears (in which case I'll follow the advice I've seen elsewhere about replacing stripped gears), or is it worth trying to adjust by using the manual override again or what?

Q2. Since my S2 didn't come with a roof bag, should it have one as standard, should it be black or body colour, and apart from a new one does any one have any ideas of a source of used ones? Or should I just stop being mean and pay the £50 for new, which seems standard.

 

[Diver944]

Do both arms still come up, or is one staying in the bodywork?

I think if they both come up (but one more than the other), then your gears are fine but the arms are slightly out of alignment. I think you'll have to bite the bullet and take it all apart as per the other instructions and realign. It might be a good idea to buy replacement cogs anyway as I've read that people seem to strip them when playing under there anyway. For the sake of a few quid it's peace of mind against breaking the existing ones and then having a roof permanently loose [&:]

 

[Fen]

Based on the fact the one in my Turbo is blackand everything else on the entire car is blue or linen then the bags were all the same colour.

 

[pae]

ORIGINAL: sib8292

Q2. Since my S2 didn't come with a roof bag, should it have one as standard, should it be black or body colour, and apart from a new one does any one have any ideas of a source of used ones? Or should I just stop being mean and pay the £50 for new, which seems standard.

I have a black one (from a 924S, but I'm sure it's the same) in un-used condition, and I'm in East Sussex too. Make an offer at philip.edwards@fsmail.net and we'll arrange for you to have a look at it sometime

cheers ....... Phil

 

[944turboS]

Hi Daz,

As far as I know the glass roofs are an aftermarket item they were made in the US where they are known as Sarratoga Roofs (I think this is the manufacturers name) If you want to return your car to standard let me know as I will gladly do the swap. [][]

 

[Fen]

Yes, none did. As Graeme says there was a replacement for the original panel in glass made by Saratoga. Otherwise I dare say there are some cars that originally had a lovely hole-free roof that have had one of those hideous '80's "one size fits none" aftermarket tilting abominations installed.

 

[Guest]

You have a rare item. Any pics. This may give you some idea. http://home.earthlink.net/~porsche944t/Saratoga.html

 

[Guest]

Although I did see this at Frontrunner this year. One of you guys?

 

[944turboS]

That looks like the aftermarket "One size fits none" that Fen mentioned.

 

[Diver944]

Yuk to that red one [:'(]

Hold on to your Saratoga Dazz, they are a very sought after accessory

 

[Fen]

ORIGINAL: flamingeye

Although I did see this at Frontrunner this year. One of you guys?

[&o] It would cost the thick end of 2 bags of sand to get a roof with no hole in it (skin alone is £1k) and someone did that to one...

 

[Guest]

Chatting to Mr. Simms at the rolling road day about sunroofs.
I actually been looking into making one, purely for myself. I have since tried draping 8mm polycarb but to no avail. Even using ceramics heaters. Maybe in an autoclave you might have a chance. This was a cheapo version (well polycarb is not cheap!) The idea was then to tint it with a uv/ heat resistant tint. Manufacture clips etc. and add rubber seal. I've kind of shelved it for the moment. Yes, I know scratches etc. but is was to be an 'occasional' one.
Having a glass one draped certainly is unjustifiably expensive.
The other idea was to cut out a section in the sunroof and drop one in there. But, we (John) agreed that would be just silly!
So, yes! Hang onto it. If you do want a normal sunroof to change back to don't pay silly e-bay prices etc. I picked one up at the Husborne autojumble in good condition (minus seal) for a fiver.

 

[John Sims]

ORIGINAL: flamingeye

Chatting to Mr. Simms at the rolling road day about sunroofs.
.................Having a glass one draped certainly is unjustifiably expensive......................

While a glass one could be produced it would probably be the thick side of £500. You also get into all sorts of exciting prospects when dealing with such things automotive and would perhaps necessitate a signed letter of indemnity from the purchaser. It would then require a minimum quantity of 15 - 20 units to try to keep the price down. At the end of the day, one wonders if there is sufficient market considering the cost.

 

[Guest]

I don't think mine is a "Sarratoga Roof", It's a tilt and removable one manufactured by "Britax". I've had no problems with the seal on it, when I wash the car a little bit of water can be found on the rear bench seat, but I think that has come in from the boot seal. There is no excess wind noise from the roof, but there is from around the doors. The glass is what can only be called a tan/bronzey colour. My fiance did own an '81 924, and that had the standard metal sunroof (non electric!), and I found that the car seemed dull and sombre inside, the glass roof does make a difference in my 944, its a lot lighter inside the car, especially when the interior is full black leather seating!

 

[Guest]

My sunroof does look like the picture of that red one that Fen posted, it may very well be one of those "One size fits none" but mine's fine, no problems at all! Click the link to see the pic!

 

[Fen]

Hmm. I think it looks a little more like a proper job than the red one, but it is indeed a victim of the 80's epidemic of having holes cut in perfectly good roofs. I've never had a black interior in a 944 but I have been in some that do and it is a bit of a coal hole in there, especially in a white car for some reason (the contrast?) so I understand how it helps. I still don't like sunroofs though because to my mind they are weight in the wrong place, something to present a leak right at the top of the car and they compromise the structural rigidity of the chassis, never mind what they do in a crash. Clearly a cab is worse in all those respects and I used to have one of them but at least with a cab you get a fantastic payback which I don't believe you do with a sunroof. Just my opinion of course and probably coloured because I'd really like to get rid of my sunroof but can't really justify the cost to myself.

 

[John Sims]

That looks like quite a nice job. I like the way that the back of the sun roof lines up with the B pillars and it is probably less likely to leak than the Porsche one.

I agree with Fen on the black interior in a white car. My white Lux had a black interior and always seemed very claustrophobic. The Linen Logo on Beaky makes the car seem at least half as big again inside.

Like Fen, I'm not keen on the sun roof - for all the reasons stated and also:-

The micro switches are either malfunctioning or out of sync on mine so I have to push the button and watch the arms to see when they crest the incline so that I know it's locked shut. A right pain in the bum. I seldom, if ever, remove the roof and, with AC, don't see the point of lifting the back. No hole at all would be nice.

 

[John Sims]

Thinking again on a glass sun roof to replace the existing. The main problem with this is incorporating the lifting and latching points. If, however, one was to go for a flush bonded in glass panel these problems would be removed. With a full silicone bond there would be no leakage problems and the increase in weight, which wouldn't be significant, should be more than offset by an increase in rigidity. What do you think?

 

[Diver944]

Even with A/C I often take mine out, especially if I know I'm doing B road dawdling. The feeling of air, lightness and sounds of birdies twittering is worth the 60 sces or so it takes to remove.

Fast motorway cruising is just too noisy from other traffic.

 

[danmason]

Same as Paul - a regular roof-remover, on both cars (and let's not forget the exhaust note while we're talking about the sensory pleasures involved). I occasionally turn the A/C on out of a sense of duty to keep it working, but never actually seem to use it. There's just something about the feel of 'conditioned' air that I don't like [&:]. Although it came in handy for a summer-time trip to southern Europe when accompanied by a balding friend [].