So i have decided to insted of fixing my roof pannel that I am going to replace it. For thoes of you that dont know, my sunroof was siliconed shut and all the years of the silicone being there it has messed up the frame around the sunroof. I think it would be cheaper to just go and pull a new one at the junk yard due to my headliner is going to be getting replaced real soon and while I'm at it I'll just replace the roof pannel. Is this a hard job? and what should I look out for while doing it?

The panel is bolted on behind the headliner and also you have to remove the windshield wipers and black trim to gain access to the front bolts. Here is a pic I stole from James Bond:

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 07-06-2009).]

Ha, I just did this tonight...

If you are pulling a moonroof car, you need to pull:
outside of the car
pull the window seal
pull the windshield wipers
pull that black pastic cover below the wipers (3-4 phillips screws)
remove fenders (or the 3 10mm bolts closest to the windshield)
remove the 2 10mm bolts on the front of the roof panels (runs under the front of the windshield)
inside of the car
remove the third brake light
remove the clothes hooks
remove the visors
remove the light panel
remove the outside of the moonroof bracket
unhook the moonroof and take it out
remove the interior a pillars (2 plastic clips)
remove the interior seal for the moonroof
remove the headliner (they always crack on me near the 3rd brake light)
remove either 4-6 10mm bolts inside and 2-4 10mm nuts (I can go recount tomorrow)
remove the inside of the moonroof bracket
remove the moonroof handle bolts (little tab you pry down and slide it)
pry the roof up very, very slowly. there is a black tar that holds the roof down like a mother f***er. the best way to do this is with piano wire to cut through the adhesive. you can pry it if you take your time. the place that it will most likey break is on the a pillars. also don't pry by the windshield or you could break it (I did this once).
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-Brian

My 87 GT Poly Suspension Upgrade (all pics) thread https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/094633.html

[This message has been edited by MulletproofMonk (edited 07-06-2009).]

Thanks you guys. im doing trial and error on a junk yard car theres 2 sun roof fieros in the yard i go to so well see what happens +1 rating for the both of you

What sealant are you guys using when you put the new roof panel back on? Can you get that black goo from a paint supply house? Is there some substitute that can be used?

I was wondering the same? I think the factory stuff would get sticky and gooey enough if you let it sit on it the sun no?

Helps to do this in the sumer in the sun. The heat helps with the black tar like stuff.

quote Originally posted by TONY_C: What sealant are you guys using when you put the new roof panel back on? Can you get that black goo from a paint supply house? Is there some substitute that can be used?

That black stuff is going to be all over the car. When I bolt the tops back down it reseals it. It's nasty stuff to get all over your tools. It feels like roofing tar but I'm sure that it is something similar.

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-Brian

My 87 GT Poly Suspension Upgrade (all pics) thread https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/094633.html

The black stuff is called butyl rope. It is commonly sold as a windshield seal but it is not the stuff used for our Fiero windshields. The butyl rope is small potatoes compared to the silicon like glue used to hold the windshield and windshield seal on. This stuff also gets under the roof panel and glues it on tight. This silicon like glue is the stuff you need to worry about when trying to remove the roof panel. After removing the windshield seal, get a sharp tool that will fit in between the windshield and the roof panel that will slip under the edge of the roof panel to cut away the glue. Once that is all cut away then you can gently lift on the roof panel to separate the butyl rope. If it is hot outside this is fairly easy. If it is cooler than 80 degrees or so you may want to try using a heat gun or hair dryer to loosen the stuff up.

I am sure there are many ways to skin this cat but here is an example of how I did it.

Charlie

[This message has been edited by cptsnoopy (edited 07-07-2009).]

Pictures as promised.

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-Brian

My 87 GT Poly Suspension Upgrade (all pics) thread https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/094633.html

quote Originally posted by TONY_C: What sealant are you guys using when you put the new roof panel back on? Can you get that black goo from a paint supply house? Is there some substitute that can be used?

I used to get the butyl rope from Carquest or at a windshield shop. It comes as a roll with about 10 to 15 ft on it. It's the same stuff that holds the back window in place. Don't use anything that completely cures or dries. You may have to remove the panel again sometime.