I need help with an unusual piece of the sunroof that has broken on the driver's side. This is on a 2008 with 143,000 miles and although unrelated here, the sunroof drain fix has already been done. There doesn't seem to be a specific part number but right above the driver's left ear and passenger's right ear on the sunroof frame, there are two identical square pivot pieces that hold some sort of rear deflector in place. Looks similar to a ball and socket joint on each end. You can see the entire deflector piece in the first image below and the broken ball and socket joint on the driver's side in the second picture.


Rear deflector arm piece


Broken ball and socket joint

Apologies for the blurry image. There's a good amount of grease that I haven't fully cleaned out yet, but it seems like the square piece (attached to the frame) plastic has crumbled on the inside which no longer holds the deflector in place on the driver's side. Everything still functions normally other than an annoying rattle from both sides. Most of the time, I push up on the deflector and can hear it click into place. It's obviously temporary but usually stops the rattle during the drive.

I've looked around and haven't been able to find any discussions on this particular piece to the sunroof. Before I get in there and try to rig something up to better hold it in place, has anyone had a similar problem or have any advice for securing the piece? I had initially thought about loading that area up with some glue or bond but decided against it because it seems like I need to allow for some movement in that area for the deflector or whatever the piece is to work properly.

 

try jamming an earplug in there before you go too crazy. maybe it will dampen the noise.

 

Your mechanic will tell you to put the ear plug in your own ear