2015 -2020 Sunroof Rails Replacement Guide (printable)
01-05-2022, 04:28 PM
#21
2018 XLT FX4
Thanks for the write-up! Gonna keep this in my toolbox in case I ever need it!
09-14-2022, 11:27 AM
#22
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Replacing the lowering guides
Not since they came out with the current version of the arms in fall of 2019. I've not seen those break, yet. The older versions, I've replaced them twice on the same truck, but not since the new ones were released.
The only thing I see now is, after you put on the new arms, the lower guide in the track might let go later...usually much later, but I've seen a few. Just did a track last week that I replaced the arms on July 2020. Finally gave up the ghost this month, but there's a TON of "your mileage may vary" with that. Most never have a problem, but the arms breaking and all the crunching and popping sometimes does lead to failure down the road....but not usually.
The only thing I see now is, after you put on the new arms, the lower guide in the track might let go later...usually much later, but I've seen a few. Just did a track last week that I replaced the arms on July 2020. Finally gave up the ghost this month, but there's a TON of "your mileage may vary" with that. Most never have a problem, but the arms breaking and all the crunching and popping sometimes does lead to failure down the road....but not usually.
09-17-2022, 10:49 PM
#23
Senior Member
Does anyone happen to have the part number for the newest version of the rails? I'm in Canada and want to price it out vs the Sunroof Doctor once plus shipping and duty.
Thanks!
Found this - Is this the latest ford part number?
Thanks!
Found this - Is this the latest ford part number?
Guide - Ford (FL3Z-1651070-E)
Last edited by Ryan2016F150; 09-17-2022 at 10:58 PM. Reason: Found part number I think
09-17-2022, 11:24 PM
#24
Yes, the "E" suffix is the latest part number.
10-13-2023, 10:16 PM
#26
Since this got bumped, figured I'd mention that most of the broken guide arms are now usually leading to broken lower cable guides, which means track replacement.
There are now some aftermarket lower guides/cables available. I'm getting ready to order some and see what it takes to install them, will likely have a video how-to on it if
they turn out okay. Can't recommend them just yet, though.
Reason all the track jobs now is, the ones that failed a few years ago, the lower guides were "young" enough to live through the failure of the upper guide arms.
But the 2015's, 16's, 17's and some early 18's that haven't failed until now, the lower guides are evidently more brittle and don't seem to be living through the arm failure.
So that's leading to lots of track replacements.
I do have a series of track replacement videos now on my channel if anyone wants to take a crack at it. I can do them really fast, but I've done hundreds at this point, but anyone mechanically inclined should be able to do them at worst, in a weekend.
Edit: Here's how to tell if you need just the arms, or the entire track:
There are now some aftermarket lower guides/cables available. I'm getting ready to order some and see what it takes to install them, will likely have a video how-to on it if
they turn out okay. Can't recommend them just yet, though.
Reason all the track jobs now is, the ones that failed a few years ago, the lower guides were "young" enough to live through the failure of the upper guide arms.
But the 2015's, 16's, 17's and some early 18's that haven't failed until now, the lower guides are evidently more brittle and don't seem to be living through the arm failure.
So that's leading to lots of track replacements.
I do have a series of track replacement videos now on my channel if anyone wants to take a crack at it. I can do them really fast, but I've done hundreds at this point, but anyone mechanically inclined should be able to do them at worst, in a weekend.
Edit: Here's how to tell if you need just the arms, or the entire track:
Last edited by Pacfanweb; 10-13-2023 at 11:07 PM.
10-13-2023, 10:41 PM
#27
I just watched this pano video. To all the members with the pano roofs, I know first hand every problem with the guides and then some. I have repaired dozens of these and most problems are not as easy. I do not work for Ford, but an independent shop. You absolutely need to check for broken plastic in the tracks. Every guide cracks and loses the bottom portion plastic. The broken plastic usually wedges itself in the tracks preventing the operation and the common "dropped" or stuck in open position happens. At that point you cannot get to the vented position. I drop the motor to allow manual movent of the cables. I have seen one break so bad it took out the end of cable ( part with the pin that moves in the slotted guide). Ford does not sell the cables individually so all owners get screwed their. I have seen some Chinese made guides and cables, but I am still concerned that these are just cheaply made. Please correct me if I'm wrong here. I'm working on a permanent solution as far as guides go. Not going to be cheap! Sorry.The other part that is on the list is the rear drip tray. If you break that, that's $400 please. Thanks again Ford!
10-13-2023, 10:55 PM
#28
I just watched this pano video. To all the members with the pano roofs, I know first hand every problem with the guides and then some. I have repaired dozens of these and most problems are not as easy. I do not work for Ford, but an independent shop. You absolutely need to check for broken plastic in the tracks. Every guide cracks and loses the bottom portion plastic. The broken plastic usually wedges itself in the tracks preventing the operation and the common "dropped" or stuck in open position happens. At that point you cannot get to the vented position. I drop the motor to allow manual movent of the cables. I have seen one break so bad it took out the end of cable ( part with the pin that moves in the slotted guide). Ford does not sell the cables individually so all owners get screwed their. I have seen some Chinese made guides and cables, but I am still concerned that these are just cheaply made. Please correct me if I'm wrong here. I'm working on a permanent solution as far as guides go. Not going to be cheap! Sorry.The other part that is on the list is the rear drip tray. If you break that, that's $400 please. Thanks again Ford!
Actually, I think I have a video on that, too, comparing them side-by-side. I broke one and found out about it at that time, while I was trying to find another way besides buying a $400 drip tray.
And yes, I have a video for how to drop the motor and move the guides manually, too if anyone needs it. It's also in the description. Definitely need to fish out all the broken pieces.
I have been waiting for Sunroof Doctor to come out with his cables/guides. I am leery of the ones you see on Ebay and Amazon, as they are almost certainly cheap Chinese stuff, as you said. A customer provided me with an Ebay kit for the 2014-down tracks, and I was NOT impressed. Wouldn't buy one of those at all now.
BTW, I don't work for Ford, either...not directly. I'm an independent contractor, and I do these repairs for a couple of big Ford dealerships, though.
Last edited by Pacfanweb; 10-13-2023 at 11:08 PM.
10-13-2023, 10:58 PM
#29
Senior Member
I found a really good fix for my sunroof that both pops and clicks and leaks
$14 worth of the finest black gorilla tape, well placed on all the seams and seals nice rounded corner cut in almost looks factory and has fixed all my sun roof issues. Best part is I had 2/3 of a roll left and the sun still comes through the glass when I roll back the shade.
$14 worth of the finest black gorilla tape, well placed on all the seams and seals nice rounded corner cut in almost looks factory and has fixed all my sun roof issues. Best part is I had 2/3 of a roll left and the sun still comes through the glass when I roll back the shade.
10-13-2023, 11:57 PM
#30
I found a really good fix for my sunroof that both pops and clicks and leaks
$14 worth of the finest black gorilla tape, well placed on all the seams and seals nice rounded corner cut in almost looks factory and has fixed all my sun roof issues. Best part is I had 2/3 of a roll left and the sun still comes through the glass when I roll back the shade.
$14 worth of the finest black gorilla tape, well placed on all the seams and seals nice rounded corner cut in almost looks factory and has fixed all my sun roof issues. Best part is I had 2/3 of a roll left and the sun still comes through the glass when I roll back the shade.