Finally, a fix for clogged sunroof drain tubes
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 6
Is it any diagram on where grommet are on the passanger side? I have the leak and when checked the hose is disconnected behind the dashboard. Dumped water on the roof and the water comes off the tube, therefore, no other part missing. The problem is I don't know where the grommet is.
Placed my hand thru the hole on the passanger side (were I removed the panel) tried to look around but nothing found.
Thank you
Placed my hand thru the hole on the passanger side (were I removed the panel) tried to look around but nothing found.
Thank you
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1
Passenger side 2007
Sorry guys, I tried to do a 'cut & paste' of my original thread to move it from FAQ to the main forum, figuring it would get more exposure, and lost it all in the process. Finally got around to re-post:
I've been lucky, and haven't had a problem yet, but didn't want to wait until I had a drenched interior before I found a fix. The drains are rubber hoses that come from the sunroof, and then plug into rigid plastic tubing behind the driver's and passenger side 'A' pillar trim panels. The rigid tubing is shaped to follow contours behind the instrument panel, where it then plugs into a rubber grommet that goes through the firewall and drains behind the wheel well inner panels. This whole fix is done entirely from the interior of the truck. Start by removing the instrument, side trim panels, and the 'A' pillar trim panels (a phillips screw behind the 'Air Bag' trim plug...also unplug the tweeter so you can remove the panel) (pic's 1-4). I've included a pic from HUMMERZ, showing the location of the grommet behind the tach (pic 5). Reach up behind the tach, and unplug the grommet from the firewall. On passenger side reach through side panel, over the top of the steel support brace (pic 6), and unplug from the firewall. The driver's side hose is black, and goes into black tubing, the passenger side hose is black, and goes into white tubing. The hose is held with tape onto green retainers (pic 3). Carefully cut the tape from the 2 lower retainers on each side with an X-acto so the hose, tube and grommet can be pulled out (pic 7). CAUTION!! WHEN PULLING HOSE, TUBING AND GROMMET THROUGH 'A' PILLAR, BE SURE TO ONLY BEND/FLEX THE RUBBER HOSE, NOT THE RIGID PLASTIC TUBING!! SAME THING WHEN REINSTALLING!! The grommet can be pulled off the end of the tubing (pic 8). Look in the end of the grommet, and you'll see why the tubes get clogged. There's a molded in 'cross cut' that traps even small debris (pic 9). Take an X-acto and carefully cut that piece out (pic 10), and replace grommet on tube. Take some electrical tape, and tape the grommet to the tube to be sure it doesn't come off during re-installation (pic 11). Plug grommets back into holes in firewall, replace trim panels, and you should not have anymore leak problems. It probably took me longer to write this thread and take pics then the entire job took.
I've been lucky, and haven't had a problem yet, but didn't want to wait until I had a drenched interior before I found a fix. The drains are rubber hoses that come from the sunroof, and then plug into rigid plastic tubing behind the driver's and passenger side 'A' pillar trim panels. The rigid tubing is shaped to follow contours behind the instrument panel, where it then plugs into a rubber grommet that goes through the firewall and drains behind the wheel well inner panels. This whole fix is done entirely from the interior of the truck. Start by removing the instrument, side trim panels, and the 'A' pillar trim panels (a phillips screw behind the 'Air Bag' trim plug...also unplug the tweeter so you can remove the panel) (pic's 1-4). I've included a pic from HUMMERZ, showing the location of the grommet behind the tach (pic 5). Reach up behind the tach, and unplug the grommet from the firewall. On passenger side reach through side panel, over the top of the steel support brace (pic 6), and unplug from the firewall. The driver's side hose is black, and goes into black tubing, the passenger side hose is black, and goes into white tubing. The hose is held with tape onto green retainers (pic 3). Carefully cut the tape from the 2 lower retainers on each side with an X-acto so the hose, tube and grommet can be pulled out (pic 7). CAUTION!! WHEN PULLING HOSE, TUBING AND GROMMET THROUGH 'A' PILLAR, BE SURE TO ONLY BEND/FLEX THE RUBBER HOSE, NOT THE RIGID PLASTIC TUBING!! SAME THING WHEN REINSTALLING!! The grommet can be pulled off the end of the tubing (pic 8). Look in the end of the grommet, and you'll see why the tubes get clogged. There's a molded in 'cross cut' that traps even small debris (pic 9). Take an X-acto and carefully cut that piece out (pic 10), and replace grommet on tube. Take some electrical tape, and tape the grommet to the tube to be sure it doesn't come off during re-installation (pic 11). Plug grommets back into holes in firewall, replace trim panels, and you should not have anymore leak problems. It probably took me longer to write this thread and take pics then the entire job took.
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,461
From: Rochester Hills, Michigan
Doc....could this thread I started 8 years ago possibly be made into a 'Sticky'?
Last edited by Broken Halo; Feb 9, 2020 at 08:49 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 6
I can't believe how much time I spent before that 'ah-ha' moment. Wish I had done it on driver's side too.
Cheers!
JD
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 177
From: SE Wisconsin
I just completed the easiest clog fix ever.
1st I tried the weed wacker line that never made more than 2 feet without stopping.
Went to dollar store bought a meat injection needle and a bottle of $1 drain cleaner.
Injected drain cleaner into clogged tube, waited 1/2 hour and flushed.
Just like new again.
1st I tried the weed wacker line that never made more than 2 feet without stopping.
Went to dollar store bought a meat injection needle and a bottle of $1 drain cleaner.
Injected drain cleaner into clogged tube, waited 1/2 hour and flushed.
Just like new again.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 355
From: Central Fla
I have done a couple of clogged sun roof fixes.
A tip for dealing with grommets in impossible places.....
I take about 6 feet of fishing line (way more than what I need) and tie it around the cusp of the grommet
I worm my arm in the passenger side access (ripping up knuckles and cutting hand along the way) and make multiple attempts to push grommet back in the hole.
If I drop it, I just pull the fishing line attached to the grommet until it is out. Then try again.
Once successful, I snip the fishing line as far inside the access point as possible
Saves a lot of aggravation
Hope this helps someone
A tip for dealing with grommets in impossible places.....
I take about 6 feet of fishing line (way more than what I need) and tie it around the cusp of the grommet
I worm my arm in the passenger side access (ripping up knuckles and cutting hand along the way) and make multiple attempts to push grommet back in the hole.
If I drop it, I just pull the fishing line attached to the grommet until it is out. Then try again.
Once successful, I snip the fishing line as far inside the access point as possible
Saves a lot of aggravation
Hope this helps someone