SUNROOF RATTLE/POPPING??

Hey there. I have a 2008 Hyundai Elantra SE that I absolutely LOVE!
I had the moonroof fixed once already because it was rattling very
noticeably over EVERY bump or crack in the road when it was closed,
but would not rattle at all if it was tilted open or slid all the way
open. However, I did notice that when it was closed if I also closed
the sunshade, it would drown out about 80% of the rattling noise.

Well, the problem is still pretty much fixed (it occasionally rattles,
but NOTHING like it used to). However, EVERY time I go over an uneven
bump or a very hard bump (that I unfortunately cannot avoid sometimes)
I have now noticed that the moonroof will rattle slightly when closed,
but will make a single "popping" noise when tilted open. I have not
noticed any noise yet when the moonroof is slid all the way open. And
again closing the sunshade drowns out most of the noise. However, I
really do not like to ride around with the sunshade closed unless it's
cloudy or raining because I prefer to have the sun shining in my car.

I took it back to the dealership about one month ago when the problem
first began and they re-lubed all the parts and sprayed some type of
silicone spray on the rubber to "soften" it (which like I said helped
immensely so far) and they also tightened the sunshade crimps
(whatever that means).

Can anyone please tell me if some sort of rattling over bumps is to be
expected with a moonroof in the tilted open or completely closed
positions? Or, is it supposed to be completely quiet and rattle-free
no matter what type of roads you take the car over? This is my first
car with a moonroof, so I am not sure what to expect. Any help would
be greatly appreciated.

 

I've only had two cars with sun/moon roofs. Both were perfectly silent no
matter the position.

IMO, they are a waste of money anyway for me. It is rare that I open it and
no one looks out of it. It came as part of a package or I'd not have it.

 

It is not normal for the sunroof to rattle over normal terrain. Of course
there comes a point when the terrain could be rough enough that just abou
any part of the car will rattle. I trust you're not driving in this sor
of condition.

If I recall correctly, I've looked at a couple sunroofs where the pop-u
wind deflector was able to rattle against the sunroof glass when th
sunroof was closed. Two possible fixes come to mind:

1. If appropriate, bending the deflector so it cannot touch the glass

2. Finding the points of contact and placing a stick-on insulating pa
(such as the loop side of velcro or a piece of felt) in that spot

 

OK. Here is some more information since I paid even closer attention
this morning on the way to work. The moonroof that I have slides all
the way inside the roof when completely open (I didn't know if I
mentioned this in my previous post). In addition to the "popping"
noise that I hear with the roof closed and tilted open, it will also
do it with the roof completely open. Also, the "popping" noise that I
am hearing is ONLY when making a hard left or a hard right turn (one
in which you don't have to come to a complete stop for -- i.e. exiting
off a county highway onto a side street where there is no stop sign).
This "popping" sounds like a hollow knock, and it almost sounds like
something in the roof is hitting against something else during mid
turn to create this "popping" noise. It is not a series of pops, just
one "popping" sound. Over the hard bumps or uneven bumps, I am
hearing a faint rattling sound from the roof. I am thinking it may be
the glass rattling, or as you mentioned could be something hitting the
deflector.

Any additional thoughts?

 

With the roof tilted and/or partially open can you move any of the
sunroof assembly (glass or frame) with your hand - either up and down or
side to side? It really sounds like something isn't tight from your
description. I don't get that sound from my '07 Elantra.

 

I will check that tonight. But just as an afterthought....I've read
in a few different places that the roof "flexing" could cause the
occasional popping noise. Is this true? As for the faint rattling, I
am not sure if the so-called "flexing" could cause that too or not.
Suppose "flexing" is causing both of these problems. Is there a
permanent fix to it so that the moon roof will not rattle and pop
anymore?

 

If the noise happens when fully closed as well as open, then it's probabl
not the wind deflector.

It's possible that there's something loose in the sunroof or the mountin
bolts aren't tight enough.

It's also possible that there's a noise in the sunroof (or in the roo
area near the sunroof) due to flexing.

Either way, it's repairable, but in the case of flexing, it may involv
slightly prying apart two pieces of sheet metal that are rubbing or spo
welding them in place so they cannot move

 

Could it possibly be a bad wheel bearing or a strut on the passenger
side since the popping noise mostly happens on a hard left turn? And
come to think of it, I am hearing the popping sound on the passenger
side of the car somewhere.

JP103 --
I tried wiggling things around, but all seems tight. There is no play
in the glass while the roof is completely open or tilted open.
However, with the roof completely closed and sitting inside of the
car, I did notice a slight amount of play when pushing up on the back
part of the glass towards the back seat. This may be normal, but just
thought I would mention it. Seems to be about 1/8 inch that I can
push up on it.

 

I see this thread is old but I'm having the same exact issue. I'm wondering if there was a fix found?