How to Service a Sun Roof in a Toyota Camry

If you properly maintain your Toyota Camry's sun roof, you can enjoy the open air in good weather and eliminate the leaks and squeaks. It's generally recommended that you clean and inspect your rubber seals at least twice a year.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Screwdrivers
• Pliers
• Plastic scraping tool
• Rustoleum
• New rubber seal
• Level
• Screwdrivers
• Pliers
• Compressed air
• 3-In-One Lubricant
• Lint-free cloth

1. Replace the Rubber Seal

   • 1

     Access the sun roof of your Toyota Camry by removing interior trim and headliner from inside your vehicle.

   • 2

     Remove the screws and bolts that secure the sun roof to the body of your Toyota Camry. Unplug the power source from the sun roof. You'll find it at the rear of your sun roof.

   • 3

     Push the sun roof up and away from the body of your Toyota Camry, taking care not to damage the sun roof or the car. You might want to enlist the help of a friend for this step.

   • 4

     Pull the old rubber seal out of its channel. Make sure the channel is free of rubber and any adhesive that remains. Use your plastic scraping tool if necessary. If you find any rust in the trench, paint it with a coat of Rustoleum to prevent further corrosion.

   • 5

     Place the new rubber seal in the channel, beginning with the outer lip and then moving to the inner lip. Inspect the seal for wrinkles and bulges. Anywhere you find wrinkling, remove the seal and install it again. It should be smooth and even inside the channel.

   • 6

     Put sun roof back and secure it to the frame of your Toyota Camry. Remember to plug the power back into the sun roof. Return the headliner and trim pieces to their original positions.

   Maintain Your Sun Roof

   • 1

     Inspect the sun roof of your Toyota Camry to make sure it's seated evenly on your vehicle, not raising or lifting at one corner. Lifting indicates the presence of debris on the tracks, or a damaged seal around the sun roof.

   • 2

     Remove the trim on the interior of your Toyota Camry and allow the interior material to drop. Use compressed air to blow dust and debris from the tracks that move your sun roof. Lubricate them using 3-In-One or the lubricant recommended by your owner's manual.

   • 3

     Check the sun roof's for drain tubes for clogging. Clear the tubes using compressed air and replace them so they can continue to drain excess water away from your sun roof.

   • 4

     Clean the sun roof's rubber seal with a clean, damp, lint-free cloth. While you're cleaning the seal, inspect it for damage. If it's damaged or worn, replace the sun roof's rubber seal to prevent leakage.

Tips & Warnings

• Your Toyota Camry has four drain tubes. Two run down the front of your vehicle to the bumpers, and two run to the back, most often by your tail lights. Consult your owner's manual for specific locations, as this can vary slightly year to year.

• Toyota issued a technical service bulletin for the 1998 Toyota Camry, as the sun roof is inoperable. Similar issues have been reported in model years up to 2007. A technical service bulletin is not a recall, so you will be charged for repairs made to your vehicle.