How to Remove a Broken Sunroof Bracket?

[SawyerLynn]

First, remove the front dome light by opening the glasses compartment where there are two screws inside. The rear dome light also needs to be removed—pry open the light cover to find two screws inside. Next, remove the inner cover panels of the A, B, and C pillars to detach the headliner. Then, take out the sunroof assembly to replace the sliding rails. Now, temporarily reinstall the sunroof assembly back into the car. Loosely secure the glass with screws (do not tighten them fully yet as adjustments are needed). Plug in the motor connector and test it.

[Melissa]

For removing the sunroof bracket, I recommend preparing the necessary tools first, including a set of screwdrivers and a small ratchet wrench. Before starting, remember to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to avoid short-circuit risks. Begin by removing the clips on the edges of the sunroof trim panel, gently prying them open with a plastic pry bar from the gaps—avoid using metal tools to prevent scratching the interior. Next, remove the four screws securing the glass; it's best to have someone assist in holding the glass, as trying to operate with one hand can easily lead to accidents. Once the glass is removed, you can see the bracket assembly, which is fixed to the track with three special hex screws—remember their original positions to avoid mixing them up. The most troublesome part is disconnecting the drain pipe fitting; you'll need needle-nose pliers to grip the blue retaining ring before pulling the pipe out, as yanking it forcefully can damage the pipe. Finally, when removing the bracket screws, pay attention to the angle—many cars require you to squeeze into the trunk sideways to reach the innermost screw. After removal, clean the accumulated dust from the track; otherwise, the new bracket may still produce noise after installation.

[BradleyRose]

The key to removing the sunroof bracket yourself is patience. Last time I did it, I found that the interior reading light assembly must be removed first because the wiring harness connects to the headliner control module. After loosening the screws with a T20 screwdriver, gently pull out the connectors—the clips are particularly fragile. The bracket fasteners are hidden in the headliner foam layer; you need to peel back the foam to see the screw holes. Remember to wear anti-slip gloves, as the edges of the roof panel are sharp. Midway through, I encountered a pitfall: the bracket spring suddenly released, but luckily I pressed it down with a rag. It's advisable to buy matching sealing rings in advance, as the OEM rings tend to deform eight out of ten times upon removal. Avoid turning on the AC during the process—dust getting sucked into the ducts creates more trouble. Honestly, it's more labor-intensive than replacing headlights; it took me from afternoon until nightfall to finish.

[StBryce]

The sunroof bracket removal process consists of five steps: After disconnecting the battery, pry open the headliner clips—avoid pulling hard on soft headliners to prevent creases; Use your fingernail to release the locking tab when disconnecting the sunroof motor plug; When removing glass screws, use a magnetic tray to catch them—if they fall into the track, the headliner must be removed; Bracket screws come in two lengths—take photos to note their positions; Finally, pull the bracket straight out parallel to avoid bending the slide rails. It’s recommended to keep WD-40 on hand for rusted screws—it works better than a wrench. In fact, most bracket damage is caused by debris in the tracks—cleaning out fragments first can sometimes save the hassle of disassembly. If the track is found to be deformed, it’s best not to attempt repairs yourself.