To Replace the Roof Rail - how big a job?

derwendolly · Nov 16, 2008

I am virtually certain that my leak - evident in the roof lining over windscreen and to the side above the drivers door - is coming from the roof rail. I have added lots of sealant to the rail, just about everywhere, and that seems to have stopped it, for now. Is it a big job to replace this rail?

I also noticed that when I accidentally left the sunroof open and it rained, water came in and dripped from behind this same part of the head lining, just in front of my face! I do not get get any water ingress when the roof is closed so could a drain hole, or similar, be blocked, too?

Please excuse my simple questions but I am not at all technically/mechanically literate and have been led very much by the nose by my LR dealer and their labour charges are now so astronomical that I thought I would try to get some idea of what I might be letting myself in for. I have owned LR for more than twenty years and bought this Disco new, in 2000.

50 pence · Nov 16, 2008

I,d put money on it being a broken drain box inside the sunroof frame !. Taking down the headliner will be the only way to confirm this.

Even when these sunroofs are brand new they are a p1ss awfull design.

Do some searches on here, and ther,ll be some detailed info on how to get the liner down.

If it is your roof rail, it,ll be a doddle to fix.( loosen off the nut enough to put some sealer under the rubber foot of the rail ).

Good luck !.

derwendolly · Nov 16, 2008

Many thanks for that.

If it is a broken drain box is that a part of the sunroof that can be repaired/replaced easily or is it a major item and is it likely to be a costly part with high labour cost?

Cheers

discool · Nov 17, 2008

derwendolly said:
Many thanks for that.

If it is a broken drain box is that a part of the sunroof that can be repaired/replaced easily or is it a major item and is it likely to be a costly part with high labour cost?

Cheers

The 'drain box' is part of the sunroof frame and is not a part. Instead of welding it together in manufacture the just used a mastic to seal the gaps.
The mastic can eventually come unstuck letting water into the car. Although if the sunroof glass seal is ok, then water will no get to the drain box.
If the sunroof frame to body seal is giving you a problem then it's either seal the outside with mastic or remove the frame and reseal that way.

The link below will show whats involved.

To view the drains just pull away the headlining trim around the sunroof and lightly pull down on the headlining and with a torch you can see them and can just be reached to dab some sealent on them iif you wish.
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To Replace the Roof Rail - how big a job?

derwendolly

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50 pence

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derwendolly

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discool

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