Power Rear Sunshade Problem
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 472
Likes: 88
From: Arizona
Power Rear Sunshade Problem
The last time the power rear sunshade retracted I was looking at it in the mirror and could see that something was wrong. It was still retracting but it was wrinkled and funny looking. I put it up again and then back down and didn't see the issue again.
I then climbed in the back seat and looked at it where it sits in the rear deck. There is one long top piece and two end caps along the top edge of the shade. It appears that the long piece slides into the end caps as the shade travels up the window while it narrows. The end caps cover the gap that would be there when it's fully lowered and at it's widest point.
On the driver side I could see a small piece of felt-like material attached to the long top piece right where the end cap ends so the end cap was partially sitting on top of the felt but on the passenger side the piece of felt is several inches inboard and not even touching the end cap and this felt had come undone on the side nearest the end cap.
While I was back there watching I raised the shade again and could see that the felt was jamming into the end cap which caused the whole thing to bind up and caused the problem I saw earlier. The glue holding the felt down had come loose and I patted it back down again.
What I can't figure out is why the pieces of felt are not in the same positions. it doesn't look like it's moved. It seems like the felt is acting as a bearing surface so those plastic pieces don't grind into each other. Anybody have this happen to theirs? Wondering if I should pull it free and reglue it in the right place.
I then climbed in the back seat and looked at it where it sits in the rear deck. There is one long top piece and two end caps along the top edge of the shade. It appears that the long piece slides into the end caps as the shade travels up the window while it narrows. The end caps cover the gap that would be there when it's fully lowered and at it's widest point.
On the driver side I could see a small piece of felt-like material attached to the long top piece right where the end cap ends so the end cap was partially sitting on top of the felt but on the passenger side the piece of felt is several inches inboard and not even touching the end cap and this felt had come undone on the side nearest the end cap.
While I was back there watching I raised the shade again and could see that the felt was jamming into the end cap which caused the whole thing to bind up and caused the problem I saw earlier. The glue holding the felt down had come loose and I patted it back down again.
What I can't figure out is why the pieces of felt are not in the same positions. it doesn't look like it's moved. It seems like the felt is acting as a bearing surface so those plastic pieces don't grind into each other. Anybody have this happen to theirs? Wondering if I should pull it free and reglue it in the right place.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 540
Likes: 32
From: Ma
I always use my sunshade. I tend to reverse the car at least a half dozen times a day (which, as you know, automatically lowers this sunshade...)
Every time it lowers and raises, I anxiously wait for it to break!
It it has been flawless so far, but after reading a post like yours, I think I am going to get some tinted windows and call it a day.
Every time it lowers and raises, I anxiously wait for it to break!
It it has been flawless so far, but after reading a post like yours, I think I am going to get some tinted windows and call it a day.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 452
From: CA
My rear sunshade did this when I purchased the car. Took it right back to the selling dealership and they replace the entire unit under warranty. It's an expensive fix, I believe my local stealership wanted $1600 or something crazy like that.
Now I rarely use it fearing it might break again. I got rear tint and mostly park in garage so never really need it unless it's 100F+ outside.
Now I rarely use it fearing it might break again. I got rear tint and mostly park in garage so never really need it unless it's 100F+ outside.
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 86
Likes: 7
From: TN
I always use my sunshade. I tend to reverse the car at least a half dozen times a day (which, as you know, automatically lowers this sunshade...)
Every time it lowers and raises, I anxiously wait for it to break!
It it has been flawless so far, but after reading a post like yours, I think I am going to get some tinted windows and call it a day.
Every time it lowers and raises, I anxiously wait for it to break!
It it has been flawless so far, but after reading a post like yours, I think I am going to get some tinted windows and call it a day.
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khilgers
RX - 2nd Gen (2004-2009)
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Jan 23, 2011 11:05 AM