jeanaya

This morning, we noticed that the moon roof on our ES300 had been shattered. There's also a small dent on the roof. It's likely that it was caused by a branch from our neighbor's tree falling on the car... the other night I noticed there was a largish branch in the driveway, so I dragged it out of the way and thought nothing more of it. These are good neighbors so I don't want to bother them with the cost.

I called a windshield repair place for a quote, but they say they don't do sunroofs, and that we should call an auto body shop. It looks like we can get replacement glass off ebay for less than $100. How hard would it be to replace it ourselves? Where could we find instructions?

Thanks!

PFB

Why don't you let your insurance deal with it. Including the dent.

jeanaya

We're thinking about it, but in some ways it would be a lot easier to replace it ourselves. If the sunroof is a $300 repair, it would fall under the $500 deductible anyway... the dent might take it a little over the deductible, but it might be more trouble to take the car to the auto body shop and back, than to wait for the glass to arrive by mail, then pop it in.

PFB

Check with your Insurance, or review your policy. The deductable for Glass is usually much less than for an accident. In many cases there is no deductible for glass.

LeX2K

If it's anything like other Lexus and Toyota models remove the side trim pieces and 4 bolts.

jeanaya

Thanks for the suggestions! The car belongs to my elderly mother so I'll have to wait till we see her to check on the insurance... at any rate, we've ordered the part as it can't hurt to have it even if we end up having it installed by a mechanic.

jeanaya

That was it! Gently pop off the side trim, then use a Torx 25 screwdriver to remove the bolts. The glass + gasket lift out easily. The most work was vacuuming out the broken glass from the track and using cotton swabs to get it off the track grease. Will post pictures soon.

LeX2K

Good to hear.

jeanaya

A piece of side trim (there are two.) I just used my fingers to pop them off.


Looking up at the broken moon roof. Removal of the trim allows you to see two of the four screws that need removal with a T25 screwdriver. Clean out the broken glass from tracks and grease before dropping new glass unit into place. Loosely screw into place and adjust height of glass so that it is level with top of car, then tighten screws.


The tiny branch that caused all the trouble.


Done and done!