Glenn Norwicke

Thanks, sent you a PM.

Can you tell me where you put the tape? Like you and Itchy Dog I couldn't figure out where to apply it.

Scott2373

Looking at those pictures doesn't help me at all. I have no idea where you are putting the tape on those brackets and how that quiets the sunroof.

elptxjc

Well, after chasing a freaking squeaking noise for months, spraying the leafsprings under the truck, messing with the bed and liner, removing everything inside the truck at the back, putting shims on the door panels that they'd squeak against the door if pushed... NOTHING worked. Today, it dawned on my it could be the stupid moonroof... and it was. I had to adjust mine early on, since the rear panel wasn't aligned properly. Nothing is loose, and the way my 2018 moonroof is attached, no felt would quiet it. Torx bolts are still tight, and moonroof panels relatively flush. What is squeaking on mine is exactly in the middle of the rear panel at the very rear, so the dry rubber gasket on the panel rubbing against the painted metal. It only squeaks when pushed in the very middle. Will get a credit card, a thin cotton rag (maybe an old T-shirt), spray special rubber lubricant (not silicone), and slide the credit card all along the edge. Will also vent the moonroof for the first time ever to lube the front panel too. Hopefully that will take care of the issue. It's weird how the noise up there telegraphed to the rear/bottom when the sunshade was closed (which is always is). Hope this helps others.
JC

sdg516

I’m in the same spot! 2018 Lariat. I have had an annoying creaking from the back of the fixed-panel portion of the vista roof for a couple months. As it steadily grew worse my patience ran thin and I started taking things apart.

My thanks to everyone in this thread for the great information on tackling this first-world problem. I performed the instructions per the TSB, but the creaking didn’t subside, and the rest of the sunroof was already quiet. Even after cleaning the seals on the fixed-glass portion, the creaking remained. I applied felt on each of the mounting points per the great suggestion on this thread, and the creaks didn’t subside.

Finally, I again removed the bolts on the four rear tabs and dropped the fixed-glass down, cleaned the seals and the surrounding metal body, and with a shop towel applied liberal amounts of Shin-Etsu (a good ol’ Honda lubricant that works wonders for door seals), especially on the back seal. I bolted everything back up, ensured the panel was level with the roof and went to church.

On the drive out, silent... back to the day I bought it. Hallelujah! I drove over bumps, crappy roads, everything was silent. FINALLY it is fixed!

Got out of church a couple hours later, (it was about 90 degrees, sunny), pull out of the parking lot and immediate creaking. It was like I hadn’t touched it. Boo!

Good thing, I proved the rear seal to body point is the issue. But, if Shin-Etsu doesn’t work, I am wondering what will. Maybe I need a lubricant with a higher operating temp? Maybe slick tape between the body and seals?

elptxjc

I only used mine once (about 50 miles round trip) after applying the special rubber spray (Wurth Rubber Care), and super quiet. I didn't drop the panel, but had to pass the wet rag with a credit card like 10 times to remove all the crap from the seal. If you dropped the panel, you couldn't clean the seal, no? THAT is what needs the most cleaning IMO. Try the credit card method I mentioned (wet first, and with product once clean), and see if you get better results. I read about another product which I plan to buy just in case: Krytox Weatherstrip Lubricant. I didn't see any ingredient list, but supposedly, you don't want any silicon on it, since that's what can cause the squeaking. Who knows. Will keep the gang posted if my solution lasts. It was about 88º yesterday, but my truck is garaged... at least for now. Ha ha. If I get a quad, might have to leave it out, so I'm not sure what to do. First world problems. Ha ha. But hey, at least we know what the problem is: The damn panel needed a freaking tab at the rear; the glass (or plexiglass?) is not stiff enough with just the side ones. And since there's nothing we can do about that, it's just a matter of finding the right product to prevent the noise, since we already know it'll always be moving against the truck. All my other cars with pano roofs, present and past, have always had a rubber gasket touching a rubber gasket. This is the first with rubber gasket and paint. Oh well. Honestly I'm relieved we found the culprit. Let's just find a solution that lasts at least a month. He he.

ThndrSS

I have the exact same problem. Its not coming from the tabs or the front. Its the seal at the back, where it meets the body. Its like the seal is too hard or something. It creaks, rattles, and has almost a chatter sound. Dealership has had it once and did a bunch of work and it seemed quieter for a day or two, and came back. I followed the tech alert previously and it seemed to quiet it for a drive or two, and then it was back.

It is definitely worse when its hot out, which is odd, I would think that would soften the seal but maybe its also drying it out.

sdg516

After trying a couple of silicon-based solutions, I finally gave in and bought Krylox (same as the Ford TSB). I used IPA to clean all of the rubber and the areas where it touches the body, and then applied Krylox wherever I could. For the fixed portion of the pano roof, I unbolted and lowered it so I could rub Krytox on the metal/body portion where the rubber touches, as it is tough to grease up the rubber (no room).

So far, all of the creaks/squeaks are gone.

I bought the Krytox 205 grease. In the future, I may buy the 105 oil, as it has a needle tip and I can run it between the rubber seal and the body, as it will probably do a better job getting into the rubber than the grease.

FastFeet

My noise was coming from the rear passenger side of the fixed glass of the moonroof. I looked at all options provided on this thread and my issue was different. I finally found that if I hold onto the track for the sunshade (not the glass) at the rear passenger side corner and move it up and down it would make the very knocking noise I would hear when going over bumps or turning onto uneven driveways. It was not the bracket or the seals. My noise was coming from behind the base of the horizontal metal that the brackets are screwed into. Behind that metal is a foam strip.

I first had to loosen the two rear brackets so that I could move the glass up and down to gain access. I pushed an old insurance card behind that foam and wiggled it down as far as it could go using needle-nosed pliers. I left a portion of the card sticking out so that it could be pulled out if I can find a permanent fix. It was very difficult getting it in there because you have to slide it down in there while it is bending. A business card won't work because it will just fold and crease. The card has to be a little more flimsy than a credit card, but stiffer than a business card.

The noise is gone, but I'm disappointed that a vehicle this expensive has an issue like this. This is my first Ford vehicle and I like everything about the truck. The only problems I have had were with the moonroof (fully replaced once) and a grinding noise in the front wheels (replaced integrated wheel ends). Everything else has been great. I just know that I have to continue to care for the moonroof.

I ordered the Krytox for $21 on Amazon and lubed the seals on the front glass, but I did not have to lube anything in the rear. I'm sure in order to permanently fix this the headliner will have to be removed and rear fixed glass removed in order to gain access to that area. Not something I want to do myself, but not sure how much Ford would charge to do this.

flynavy812

iTrader: (2)

First post.. you must have been pretty pissed like me and said screw it I'll post! For the rear, yeah you can't really grease it but you can still get a credit card, rag, and alcohol and clean it that way. You do this while standing on the running boards and looking down on the roof, if you already did this than I apologize. But its a tight seal and feels kind of wrong to do, but once you're in there... ok this is starting to sound bad. You'd be surprised how dirty it is though for real. My ultimate rattle fix was putting that super thin strong tape along the edge when the roof is open... must have tightened the tolerances jjuuuuuuuust enough to eliminate any play.

FastFeet

My truck has been doing this for a VERY long time and I thought it was the leaf springs at first. I finally narrowed it down, but I think my knock was coming from a different place than others on this thread, but in the same general area. It no longer knocks and I can’t make it knock, but yes I was very frustrated. This thread helped me to figure this out, so I definitely appreciate it.