2013 Sun Roof Question

[jvinson7713]

I feel dumb asking, however my 2013 Impreza Sport Limited sunroof is only flush on 3 corners. The passenger rear corner sit lower and is not flush with roof. 

Normal? This is my first Subaru and haven't been next to another to take a peek. I just wanted to ask prior to taking it to the dealer along with the overhead light not sitting flush on the driver side allowing light to leak out. 

 

Thanks in advance.

John

[gbhrps]

jvinson7713,

 

Having had 3 or 4 sunroofs out of various cars over the years, the last being an 04 OBW LTD, I suspect one of two reasons.

 

Sunroof glass sections are glued to a metal surround frame, similar to how your glass windshield is glued to the frame of the car. This frame will have a bolt welded at each of its corners. The sunroof/glass assembly is bolted to its the tilt and slide mechanism. At each of these bolt positions the factory may have added one or two shims to align the glass with the roof skin when in its closed position.

 

It is possible that one of the shims was missed or has fallen out, or that the park mechanism has been bent or broken.

 

The only way to tell is to raise the sunroof in its tilt position and pop off the plastic covers over the corner bolts and look. With the covers off, you may be able to see where the problem is. Hopefully nothing is bent or broken. If a shim will fix the problem (or 2 of them) cut an ordinary washer of the proper diameter for the bolt (such that it looks like a "U" and slip it over the bolt before you tighten the nut.

 

Be very carful not to force the glass sunroof up or down. Let the motor do the work, as the plastic parts that attach to the geared whip that moves the sunroof may break or strip.

 

If any parts of the lift/park mechanism appeared to be bent, it may be possible to straighten it, or maybe not. If parts are required to fix, the entire sunroof assembly may heve to come out of the car. Not hard to do, but time consumming, hence many dollars at the dealership.

 

As I said, I've repaired several over the years. Its easy if you have some mechanical apptitude, have some tools, a place to work, and can have the car out of commission for the time it takes to repair. Get back to us if you have more questions. Good Luck!

[jvinson7713]

Thanks.... Being its still under warranty I will just take it in. I just didnt want to be too picky if that was more of the norm for Subaru... I love the car (now I wish I had the Outback..) Never had a car handle IL/Chicago winter as great as my Impreza Sport Ltd. 

 

Thanks again