Concerns - Popping/Creaking Noise from Sunroof

[SoCalPearl]

That's what @westcoastGT had done a long time ago and reports that it worked and the problem has not recurred. So, if yours is the same, maybe KIA will actually wake-up and start doing this to solve the problem instead of hoping people will go away after a useless "lube job."

Question for you and @westcoastGT, is there any physical evidence of the cracking--that the rest of us can look for or that we could point a dealer to? So it doesn't take all day or five visits to get to the discovery...!

They didn't point it out to me and it seemed like they didn't want to give specifies on it. They did show me some like plastic trim that supposedly part of the assembly that was damaged as well. But looking at the rails I cant see anything obvious that I would say is the problem.

 

[westcoastGT]

That's what @westcoastGT had done a long time ago and reports that it worked and the problem has not recurred. So, if yours is the same, maybe KIA will actually wake-up and start doing this to solve the problem instead of hoping people will go away after a useless "lube job."

Question for you and @westcoastGT, is there any physical evidence of the cracking--that the rest of us can look for or that we could point a dealer to? So it doesn't take all day or five visits to get to the discovery...!

I never saw the frame that was replaced , as I suggested in the past , the guy at the Niagara Falls Kia dealer knows everything about my fix , I really think a call to him would be helpful , his name is Matt Butcher

 

[Olexandr]

What’s also interesting is that my sound that you can hear on the video DONT go away with slightly opened sunroof, just as well as in tilt position. It only goes away when the sunroof gets past about one half of its travel. So just be opened halfway and it disappears, which makes me think that non of these fixes are relevant for my case, because at this point the upper sunroof glass part doesn’t even contact with the bottom railing mechanism part to make a rattle.

Just in case you wanna check that for yourself to see if it’s true in your case or not. So I suspect the problem may lay somewhere else near. Will keep looking

 

[Marc Collins]

I never saw the frame that was replaced , as I suggested in the past , the guy at the Niagara Falls Kia dealer knows everything about my fix , I really think a call to him would be helpful , his name is Matt Butcher

I will contact him, thanks.

 

[Olexandr]

I'm happy to say that I've successfully eliminated the exact popping sound I was experiencing. At least for now, fingers crossed. And no, not by putting a ton more of lubricant or 3m everywhere you can or messing with the sunroof assembly.

The solution was just to apply a lot MORE force that I originally think you should to the headliner panel around the sunroof with your fist and palm. And if you don't hear clicks (I didn't) you can still hear that velcro sound when you press it really hard. So did I, until it was solid and boom - the sound is gone.

As it originally appeared after riding on some pretty hard roads I think velcro just naturally sticks out of place and you need to stick it again in the future with some regularity if you're experiencing a lot of bad roads as I do. I really hope that is the solution, nothing else really rattles and is well lubed and I hope it won't anytime soon. At least if this thing happens again I'll know what to try first, so I am recommending to you. Remember, push hard!

 

[Marc Collins]

I'm happy to say that I've successfully eliminated the exact popping sound I was experiencing. At least for now, fingers crossed. And no, not by putting a ton more of lubricant or 3m everywhere you can or messing with the sunroof assembly.

The solution was just to apply a lot MORE force that I originally think you should to the headliner panel around the sunroof with your fist and palm. And if you don't hear clicks (I didn't) you can still hear that velcro sound when you press it really hard. So did I, until it was solid and boom - the sound is gone.

As it originally appeared after riding on some pretty hard roads I think velcro just naturally sticks out of place and you need to stick it again in the future with some regularity if you're experiencing a lot of bad roads as I do. I really hope that is the solution, nothing else really rattles and is well lubed and I hope it won't anytime soon. At least if this thing happens again I'll know what to try first, so I am recommending to you. Remember, push hard!

Could you help us by explaining which direction of force is required and exactly where?

 

[Olexandr]

Could you help us by explaining which direction of force is required and exactly where?

So if you're sitting in a driver's seat, you can reach almost to all the spots you'll need to push. The right side could be a bit easier to reach if you sit in the passenger seat though, but it's up to you. I did it from the driver's seat, but probably easier to switch to the passengers and have easier access to the right side of a panel and a more solid grip, as you'll need it and some power in your hands.

You need to go and press around the roof panel right in the spot where the panel ends and the glass starts. You should apply force up, just push with your fist/palm, working through the panels, left side and right side. Actually, if you have sound coming from the right side, you can just start there and see if it fixes the issue and don't touch the left side if it's OK. Just work your way, push and listen, you'll hear that velcro sound under pressure, then you know it's the right spot. I think you have like 2 velcros on each side, maybe 3, no more. Then you just press it upwards basically as hard as you can, I don't think you can break anything really there, and if that's your issue you'll slowly hear how the velcro sound is changing and becoming less apparent, it means both velcro parts are now stuck together more tightly, that's what you want. After that, should be all good!

I attached a picture, it's from Kia Sportage, but it may give you an idea of how the velcro parts are placed.

 

[Marc Collins]

So if you're sitting in a driver's seat, you can reach almost to all the spots you'll need to push. The right side could be a bit easier to reach if you sit in the passenger seat though, but it's up to you. I did it from the driver's seat, but probably easier to switch to the passengers and have easier access to the right side of a panel and a more solid grip, as you'll need it and some power in your hands.

You need to go and press around the roof panel right in the spot where the panel ends and the glass starts. You should apply force up, just push with your fist/palm, working through the panels, left side and right side. Actually, if you have sound coming from the right side, you can just start there and see if it fixes the issue and don't touch the left side if it's OK. Just work your way, push and listen, you'll hear that velcro sound under pressure, then you know it's the right spot. I think you have like 2 velcros on each side, maybe 3, no more. Then you just press it upwards basically as hard as you can, I don't think you can break anything really there, and if that's your issue you'll slowly hear how the velcro sound is changing and becoming less apparent, it means both velcro parts are now stuck together more tightly, that's what you want. After that, should be all good!

I attached a picture, it's from Kia Sportage, but it may give you an idea of how the velcro parts are placed.

Terrific and thanks, I will try this! Did not realize it was just the right and left sides.

 

[Revvdmedia]

When the popping was the worst on my sunroof, I did find I could push up on the headliner on the passenger side near where it meets the opening for the sunroof and I was pretty sure the noises subsided. At that point I was never sure what actually worked and what was just a placebo since I never did get it fixed. Definitely worth a try.

 

[DropTheMike]

I have had the popping sunroof problem for about a year. I took the car for a drive around the block and was getting a lot of pops. I went home and loosened all six star shaped bolts. There are three bolts on each side. Slide the sunroof back a little and stick your head up by the glass on the inside of the car and you will see them. I loosened them enough that they were turning very freely. I went for a drive and the popping was gone. I slowly tightened the bolts and tested until the popping noise came back. I left the four corners looser and tightened the middle bolt on each side more. No more popping. Hopefully this helps

 

[Marc Collins]

I have had the popping sunroof problem for about a year. I took the car for a drive around the block and was getting a lot of pops. I went home and loosened all six star shaped bolts. There are three bolts on each side. Slide the sunroof back a little and stick your head up by the glass on the inside of the car and you will see them. I loosened them enough that they were turning very freely. I went for a drive and the popping was gone. I slowly tightened the bolts and tested until the popping noise came back. I left the four corners looser and tightened the middle bolt on each side more. No more popping. Hopefully this helps

Wow! Which "popping" sound did you have--the constant ticking or the more infrequent clunking?

And what size tool works for the bolts?

 

[Revvdmedia]

I have had the popping sunroof problem for about a year. I took the car for a drive around the block and was getting a lot of pops. I went home and loosened all six star shaped bolts. There are three bolts on each side. Slide the sunroof back a little and stick your head up by the glass on the inside of the car and you will see them. I loosened them enough that they were turning very freely. I went for a drive and the popping was gone. I slowly tightened the bolts and tested until the popping noise came back. I left the four corners looser and tightened the middle bolt on each side more. No more popping. Hopefully this helps

Back to the idea of washers or spacers, I wonder if any of this popping from the bolts you are experiencing could be reduced by adding a low friction washer, or a lock washer. Not sure which would work better. Wouldn't want the bolts working their way loose, but something to reduce noise. Assuming contact points is the issue.

 

[Marc Collins]

Back to the idea of washers or spacers, I wonder if any of this popping from the bolts you are experiencing could be reduced by adding a low friction washer, or a lock washer. Not sure which would work better. Wouldn't want the bolts working their way loose, but something to reduce noise. Assuming contact points is the issue.

Or does it need a rubber gasket under the rails? Is the sound coming from the rails contacting the car or the bolts contacting the rails (or both)?

 

[Bobr]

I wonder if any of this popping from the bolts you are experiencing could be reduced by adding a low friction washer

Exactly my thinking, just didn't find kind that washers yet (I didn't try to search it hard yet), want to find some PVC stuff or cut it myself.

 

[Revvdmedia]

As Marc Collins pointed out, a rubber washer might be an even better idea.

 

[Bobr]

As Marc Collins pointed out, a rubber washer might be an even better idea.

I'm afraid rubber washer may have own squeezing sound %) What's why I'm thinking about PVC or another kind of plastic.

 

[boilernc]

I have had the popping sunroof problem for about a year. I took the car for a drive around the block and was getting a lot of pops. I went home and loosened all six star shaped bolts. There are three bolts on each side. Slide the sunroof back a little and stick your head up by the glass on the inside of the car and you will see them. I loosened them enough that they were turning very freely. I went for a drive and the popping was gone. I slowly tightened the bolts and tested until the popping noise came back. I left the four corners looser and tightened the middle bolt on each side more. No more popping. Hopefully this helps

After the local dealer failed to fix mine I tried this - I actually left the front right bolt out (above the passenger) and NO MORE POPPING!

 

[Bobr]

I have very good news! I FOUND A SOLUTION!
I've done manipulations as here Concerns - Popping/Creaking Noise from Sunroof
untightened left screw. Then I closed the sunroof, then shifted the button back to open it again. I noticed that connection there is moving and changing position during the opening process. Then I tightened the screw again when sunroof was in that fully-opened position. And that's it! No more creaking! Helped not only to me, several other people already tried it — it's working! Described it here https://www.drive2.ru/l/559819095134962517/ (Russian). Looks as after those manipulations geometry of the sunroof restored (my current theory) and previously it was tighten not properly from factory.

 

[nhcowboy28]

I have very good news! I FOUND A SOLUTION!
I've done manipulations as here Concerns - Popping/Creaking Noise from Sunroof
untightened left screw. Then I closed the sunroof, then shifted the button back to open it again. I noticed that connection there is moving and changing position during the opening process. Then I tightened the screw again when sunroof was in that fully-opened position. And that's it! No more creaking! Helped not only to me, several other people already tried it — it's working! Described it here https://www.drive2.ru/l/559819095134962517/ (Russian). Looks as after those manipulations geometry of the sunroof restored (my current theory) and previously it was tighten not properly from factory.

How about you take a picture yourself of the screw you loosened/tightened That solved it. some of us don’t like clicking random links in Russian.

 

[StingerNYC]

How about you take a picture yourself of the screw you loosened/tightened That solved it. some of us don’t like clicking random links in Russian.

Google translate.

Hello everyone. Today I will tell you how to fix the hated creak of the hatch on the passenger side that occurs when it is closed. The method I found is still experimental and not a fact that will help you too, but it helped me - now I am happy as an elephant!

1. Open the hatch completely

2. It is necessary to remove the plastic trim on the passenger side, marked on the photo

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It is held by three latches and can be easily removed even with your hands, without a screwdriver. Do not break

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3. Close the hatch halfway.

4. Loosen the front hatch bolt with a Torx T25 bat.

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5. Close the hatch, then open the hatch to the end.
You will see how the loose fastener shifts during the opening process, as the bolt is not tightened.

6. Tighten the Torx T25 bolt back when the hatch is in the fully open position.

7. Close the hatch and check for creaking on bumps.

It helped me Apparently, the joint is due to a slight skew of the hatch when it was mounted at the factory. If this does not help, just loosen the front mounting bolt or even unscrew it completely, but a play may appear. Hope that helps you too. Unsubscribe about the results!