2000 Disco II with 115 miles. Recently returned to service and chasing down "issues".

Both my sun roof and moon roof rattle in the open position, whether just venting or slid all of the way back. Early in my Disco's life this happened and the dealership replaced the "wheels," which are apparently some little plasticky rollers, and it worked great, but over the years the problem has returned. The roof windows close tightly and don't leak. I don't hear any resistance or grinding opening or closing. They open and close quickly (same speed for both), and will open and close in unison.

This morning I looked at them from inside the vehicle and the screws are tight to the glass, but both of them will lift up about 1/2 of an inch at the rear (but are tight at the front); hence the rattling when I hit a bump. I have googled it looking for fixes and the fix sounds easy enough, but finding or preferably making a more durable part is, well, elusive.

Having googled it I have to stave off a common and unwelcome suggestion to keep them shut. It is very hot here (Texas) and the truck stays much cooler, parked, with those open.

Has anyone found a fix to this problem and a source for the little rollers (or some better material to make them from)?

Best,

Charlie V

 

First, the sun roof when closed should be flush, front and rear, if not, try cleaning and greasing the tracks. If that doesn't help, see if you can manually close the all the way using an allen wrench in the slot provided in your plastic trim.
As dar as replacing the wheels, not sure if you can find them, most likely thru a dealer and by the time you have them rebuilt, you will decide on your own to never do that again.
By the way, how often do you open and close these, my 99 roofs have never failed?

 

Mike,

I think I wasn't clear. When shut, both windows are flush and tight. The problem (rattle) is when they are tilted up or slid back; they seem to have too much play within the track, toward the back (they are tight in the front). I use them alot... several times a week in the summer.

When I took them to the dealership many years ago (under warranty), they told me there were plastic wheels that travel in the tracks, and that they crack easily--that's what they replaced. You've helped me enough to know that mine sat unused for several years (windows closed), so I don't know what would cause them to go bad again except maybe heat (I kept it garaged most of the years, but moved it around some, vainly trying to save the then new tires... fail). My town has alot of brick streets, and they cause alot of vibration, rattle, and irritation.

Best,

Charlie V

 

I have the same problem with my front sun roof and I'm trying to find a fix as well. I haven't a clue how to fix it yet.

So my long term plan is to try to figure how it works and how to fix it by finding a parts diagram and/or pull the sun roof mechanism from a junked/wrecked Disco.

My short term plan / stop gap fix is to see if I can find something small and handy that I can use to gently wedge the sun roof into a non-rattling static position when it's open. I'd probably keep it handy by storing it in the map compartment/napkin/drinking straws/mail holder whenever the sun roof is closed. Perhaps a small piece of firm packing foam?

Cheers,

Thomas

 

I think the part is called a roller. Still tracking it down.

 

Hey everyone, I think I found a substitute replacement. I had a spare plastic part that I'm not even sure where it came from that actually fit, but the plastic was very short lived. So I measured it and found these on Amazon. I can't speak to their longevity since I literally just put them in, but they are made out of carbon steel and are "bearings" according to the description. They fit nice and snug over the nub and slide easily into the track.

 

Hi Scott Did those work for you? I have a rattle too and I’m pretty sure it’s the same rattle you pointed out. You can mimic the rattle easily by jiggling the glass up and down when it’s in an open position. One of mine are missing. It looks like a square plastic piece though that runs along the wavy sunroof track just under the glass. The first pic is the one is the side showing the plastic guide thingy missing and the second pic is the side where it’s installed. Sorry for the dirt - hope it’s clear enough to see. Looks like the sunroof might need to be unbolted to fix.

 

Kalliste80 it's been several months and I think I can safely these replacements are working perfectly. No rattles and they seem like they are plenty sturdy. Plus, with the extras that came in the kit, I can always swap them out if they wear down, but I don't expect to have to.
My stock retainers were completely gone and it sounded like i was going to lose my sunroof just driving down my street what with how bad the rattling was. No more rattles for me, hope you do the same!

 

Also very interested into the longevity of these. Let us know how they're holding up there. (oh ha you just did - thank you!)

 

thanks so much! I’m ordering now