Sunroof creaks/rattles solved.

[Andysuew]

After a year of listen to the dreaded creaking and groaning of the sunroof in my sedan, I can honestly say the problem has now been solved. From day one I have put up with these noises which have driven me to the brink of starting to hate my Superb. After two different dealers looked at the vehicle, both saying that can’t find a problem, it has come down to a fellow Aussie Superb owner (Alcoop) who found the fix even after his dealer replaced the entire sunroof, frame and all associated components - with zero success.

Following Alcoop’s instructions, I sat in the rear seat and reached up running my hand across the back of the roof lining which lines up flush with the sunroof framework. Giving a sharp pull down on the roof lining on each corner, the roof lining will unclip from the sunroof frame. Because the roof lining is a one piece moulded unit, the roof lining will not sag down. You will end up with the roof lining edge now slightly below the sunroof frame across the back edge of the sunroof. See photo.

The roof of the vehicle will still flex when the car is in motion due to the big hole in the middle of the roof (sunroof) but now the roof lining won’t flex with it. The moulded roof lining is the cause of all the noises. When attached to the sunroof frame, the lining twists and flexes along with the roof creating the noises we are all experiencing.

In addition to the noises, both Alcoops and I suffered from the sunblind gathering up when opening the blind, once the roof lining was released from the framework, this also released the pressure that was being placed on the sunblind cassette and now the sunblind retracts effortlessly without any form of gathering up. This was a pleasant surprise as I have been suffering with this problem since day one as well.

Bottom line, it’s all down to the roof lining fixing points at the back of the sunroof flexing with the roof/sunroof and creating the noises. Once released, all noises etc disappear.

It astounds me that the dealers and Skoda themselves can’t figure this out and just fob off the customer because we complain about something that is not correct. In this case it comes down to owners of the vehicle to find the cause and create a simple fix. Skoda need to have a look at the way the roof lining is designed in sedans that have the sunroof and modify the design to eliminate this problem. At the very least, they need to issue a technical bulletin to the dealers to apply this simple fix that a lot of owners have complained about across the globe.

As you can see in the photos, you wouldn’t even know if the lining had been detached from the roof. I am now falling back in love with my Superb.

Now if I can just fix the squeaks coming from the cup holder in the centre console (the dealers said that they all do it…I call Bulls%*t) I will be a very happy boy...any suggestions??

[Whenwillilearn]

Annoying though you have had to physically pull something apart to obtain a resolution.

Glad you got it sorted. 

 

It really is an example of poor engineering. Those who spec the sunroof or even get it free be warned. Its flawed. Maybe its free for a reason now! 

 

[Caspian]

Please that you may have a solution to your sun roof problem @whenwillilearn. If it was poor engineering, it would affect all S3 cars that have a sun roof. That does not seem to be the case, as it seems only to affect a minority of cars with a sun roof. Its more likely to be an assembly issue that happens intermittently.

[Whenwillilearn]

I am merely venting an opinion just like those expressing how much their S3 is perfection. 

Im glad there appears to be a fix for this and im aware this issue of the VAG sunroof affects the VW and Audi brands also. Thus either the sunroof and trim for differing model cars is problematic or assembly at the corresponding Audi, VW and Skoda production lines  falls short when a sunroof is fitted. 

 

Regardless though im glad a fix is found and well done for the persistence in tracing it. I will point my dealer in that direction when my car goes back in for this. If its all sorted then i may just enjoy the car a bit more again. 

 

 

[Sad555]

Different car same sunroof,I had a noise/rattle in mine for some months and when I pointed this out when it was in for a service they repaired it FOC  as there was a service instruction issued,and this was over a year ago.

[JamesEnfield]

Have same issue with MY18, solution didnt help really. Anyone has other findings?

[giggs]

Well I’ll be damned! I can’t believe that solved my issue as well.

 

Can’t thank you enough!

 

Cheers! 

[chrisluciofg]

my apologies for going off topic : what's this silicone blob on the sunroof rail meant to do ?

 

 

[digifish]

3 hours ago, chrisluciofg said:

my apologies for going off topic : what's this silicone blob on the sunroof rail meant to do ?

 

 

 

 

Looks like its to create tension when the roof is closed to stop it moving (rattling ) 

[drewellis]

Mine creaks occasionally but I’d rather have a sunroof and the odd noise than no sunroof and no noise

[the_rebel]

Well, having this issue since ages and dealer could not fix it.

Only advised me to treat the rubbers regularly .

Tried the fix from topic opener, let's hope it helps as well!

 

[philipz]

My dealer ( in Sofia , Bulgaria ) , fixed it almost . The noises decreased by ~70% . It happens now occasionally . 

As far as i know they put some additional sealing between the panoramic roof rail work and the roof lining . 

 

I`ve tried the fix described above ( before i went to the dealer ) , and it worked like a charm . So definitely the problem is there ,in that area of the roof lining . 

[-KamaL-]

I just got a 2017 superb L&K with 56K KM mileage, and the rattling noise from the sunroof is driving me crazy.

Just to be sure I understood it well, I should sit in the rear seat, grab the rear roof lining, and pull it down on each corner firmly?

Should I hear any clip sound when pulling down the lining?

 

Thanks!

[-KamaL-]

UPDATE:

 

I tried the method mentioned here, it actually reduced about 80% of squeaks and rattles, but I still had more noises from the side of the roof.

I tried disconnecting the clips from all parts of the roof, not only the rear part as mentioned, it helped even more, but I still have squeaks coming from the sides of the roof, especially when the car goes over a bump from on of the sides.

 

Any idea what could also be causing this??

 

Thanks!

[philipz]

22 hours ago, -KamaL- said:

UPDATE:

 

I tried the method mentioned here, it actually reduced about 80% of squeaks and rattles, but I still had more noises from the side of the roof.

I tried disconnecting the clips from all parts of the roof, not only the rear part as mentioned, it helped even more, but I still have squeaks coming from the sides of the roof, especially when the car goes over a bump from on of the sides.

 

Any idea what could also be causing this??

 

Thanks!

 

Well you have tried the most drastic solution ( to disconnect all clips ) , so other than that , i dont know what else to advise you . I was going to do the same , but im afraid i might damage the roof lining in the long term if its not connected to the roof rail . 

 

Where do you here these noises specifically , try to localize them and put pressure with your hand to see if will stop them . 

 

 

[-KamaL-]

3 minutes ago, philipz said:

 

Well you have tried the most drastic solution ( to disconnect all clips ) , so other than that , i dont know what else to advise you . I was going to do the same , but im afraid i might damage the roof lining in the long term if its not connected to the roof rail . 

 

Where do you here these noises specifically , try to localize them and put pressure with your hand to see if will stop them . 

 

 

The noises now come from the lateral sides of the roof, and not from the rear part (solved when disconnecting clips as mentioned in the post). I tried pressing and pulling at many spots, but the noise is still there. It is noticeable mainly if I drove say on a bumper only on one of the tires, and presumable pressure is put on the side when the car leans. 

I'll for a dealer that is willing to take apart the whole roof, as this is driving me crazy ..... IMHO this is not acceptable in a 2017 superb L&K .

 

Let me know if you have any other ideas.

[philipz]

2 hours ago, -KamaL- said:

The noises now come from the lateral sides of the roof, and not from the rear part (solved when disconnecting clips as mentioned in the post). I tried pressing and pulling at many spots, but the noise is still there. It is noticeable mainly if I drove say on a bumper only on one of the tires, and presumable pressure is put on the side when the car leans. 

I'll for a dealer that is willing to take apart the whole roof, as this is driving me crazy ..... IMHO this is not acceptable in a 2017 superb L&K .

 

Let me know if you have any other ideas.

 

I know , I went to the dealer 3 times in order to get some improvement . So I know what you mean . 

Please keep me posted if your dealer finds a permanent solution . Thanks in advance . 

[-KamaL-]

On 07/08/2020 at 11:54, philipz said:

 

I know , I went to the dealer 3 times in order to get some improvement . So I know what you mean . 

Please keep me posted if your dealer finds a permanent solution . Thanks in advance . 

Will surely do

For now I asked a few Superb owners, and the problem is quite common actually.

 

I asked an expert in fixing sunroofs (not specifically Skodas), and he said that it is a known problem in the superb. He claims that the problem is related to poor insulation in the sunroof rails, with time some space between the sunroof itself and the basement of the rails happens, so whenever the car leans to a side, these squeaks are heard. He also claimed that this has been fixed with the 2020 Superb models, and that fixing this required opening up the whole thing and adding some insulation to prevent these tiny but irritating movements in the space. Needless to say, the fix is very expensive, for now I'm not willing to pay 1000$+ for a fix. 

[philipz]

24 minutes ago, -KamaL- said:

Will surely do

For now I asked a few Superb owners, and the problem is quite common actually.

 

I asked an expert in fixing sunroofs (not specifically Skodas), and he said that it is a known problem in the superb. He claims that the problem is related to poor insulation in the sunroof rails, with time some space between the sunroof itself and the basement of the rails happens, so whenever the car leans to a side, these squeaks are heard. He also claimed that this has been fixed with the 2020 Superb models, and that fixing this required opening up the whole thing and adding some insulation to prevent these tiny but irritating movements in the space. Needless to say, the fix is very expensive, for now I'm not willing to pay 1000$+ for a fix. 

 

 

From what I understand , the whole roof lining must be removed and then add some insulation betwwen the lining and the rails themselves , correct ?

I think that is what my dealer did last time , but not removing the whole lining , more like unclipping it and adding squeak tape .

 

Kamal , If this expert can tell what exactly must be done , I`ll tell my dealer , so they can take some action . After all , the car is still under warranty . 

 

 

 

[-KamaL-]

Update on this:

So I had my yearly service and I mentioned these noises to the dealership. They said it's a known issue with this model, and there's not much to be done.

They put some grease on the rails (without mentioning exactly where), but it didn't make any difference.

 

Reading other skoda and VAG forums, it is advised to try specific grease for sunroofs. for example:

 

G 052 141 A2 - Seal Lubricating Grease

 

Has anyone tried this before doing more drastic measures?

 

Thanks

 

[Jrlim]

Our small Singapore superb group, came out an solutions for creaking sunroof. 
just a 5 min diy and small the creaking. 🤣

[CRB123]

Reviving this topic in case anyone has found a solution. So far I've had the sunroof rails replaced by the dealer and have also unclipped the roof lining however, still getting squeaks. For me at least, the sound is mostly near the rear vision mirror area.

 

On a side note; use caution when disconnecting the roof lining. The clips can become dislodged and end up rattling around inside the liner.

[Z3RO]

Replied to follow this topic. I will give disconnecting the clips a go first then try padding as per the Singapore group.