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rattling moonroof

Messages
2
Reactions
2
Points
2
Location
Renton, WA
Vehicle
2023 ST Explorer
#21
Mine sounds like it's coming from the interior crossbar trim piece rather than the moonroof itself (I doubt performing a panel reinitialization/alignment would solve anything).

Might be a tall ask, but can you post a few picture with where the dealer fixed the foam pieces? I suspect that is all mine needs to quiet the creak/rattle.
Ford installed foam squares on the panel roof to keep the drain tray (which is the plastic cross piece) from rattling/squeaking. The issue is that they put them about inch too far back. If you're still under warranty take it to the dealer and they will put in new foam pieces in the correct spot. If you're out of 3/36,000 then get some 3M foam tape and if you look up there you can see the foam piece ford put in and see right in from of it where your panel is rubbing.
 

Messages
115
Reactions
54
Points
27
Location
Buffalo, NY, USA
#22
Ford installed foam squares on the panel roof to keep the drain tray (which is the plastic cross piece) from rattling/squeaking. The issue is that they put them about inch too far back. If you're still under warranty take it to the dealer and they will put in new foam pieces in the correct spot. If you're out of 3/36,000 then get some 3M foam tape and if you look up there you can see the foam piece ford put in and see right in from of it where your panel is rubbing.
Thanks for the detail! I’m within 3/36k, but avoid dealer trips as much as possible, especially for something so trivial. I’ll poke around up there and add some foam.

Edit: for anyone else trying to do this, venting the moonroof gives you much more space to add some foam vs. trying to do this when it’s closed.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Last edited:

88lx50

Member
Firefighter
Messages
26
Reactions
7
Points
2
Location
NYC
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
#23
Thanks for the detail! I’m within 3/36k, but avoid dealer trips as much as possible, especially for something so trivial. I’ll poke around up there and add some foam.

Edit: for anyone else trying to do this, venting the moonroof gives you much more space to add some foam vs. trying to do this when it’s closed.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Did you add foam? I took a look and wasn’t sure where the foam should be added. The only thing I saw was a thin square piece of rubber towards the back of the moonroof.
 

Messages
1
Reactions
0
Points
1
Location
Massachusetts
Vehicle
2023 Ford
#24
I have the same issue, rattling coming from driver side back headliner/moon roof. When I press up or pull down on the headliner the rattling stops. Any dealership figure out how to fix?
 

Messages
166
Reactions
73
Points
27
Location
Houston, TX, USA
#25
Our rattle is the metal bar that is glued to the fixed piece of glass, its going in tomorrow for another issue and we will have them look at the rattle at the same time.
 

Messages
115
Reactions
54
Points
27
Location
Buffalo, NY, USA
#26
Did you add foam? I took a look and wasn’t sure where the foam should be added. The only thing I saw was a thin square piece of rubber towards the back of the moonroof.
I added foam; likely to where you are describing - I found the factory foam and added a piece on top.

Turns out, however, the rattle was coming from the rear panel itself. After lubing the seal on the exterior (rattle didn't resovle), I tightened the six 8mm bolts about 1/4 turn each and the rattle went away.
 

Jgrabina

New Member
Messages
11
Reactions
9
Points
2
Location
Coram, NY, USA
#27
Ford installed foam squares on the panel roof to keep the drain tray (which is the plastic cross piece) from rattling/squeaking. The issue is that they put them about inch too far back. If you're still under warranty take it to the dealer and they will put in new foam pieces in the correct spot. If you're out of 3/36,000 then get some 3M foam tape and if you look up there you can see the foam piece ford put in and see right in from of it where your panel is rubbing.
Any way to take some pictures and share?
 

DawgsOnTop

New Member
Nurse
Messages
7
Reactions
2
Points
2
Location
Georgia
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#28
I know this thread has been quiet for a bit, but I added some self adhesive foam directly over the corner foam squares (right above where the plastic “horns” protrude when vented), and a 5/16ths strip of weather stripping on the metal bar attached to the sunroof glass. Solved my cold weather crossbar rattle.
 

largesock

New Member
Messages
4
Reactions
3
Points
2
Location
US
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#29
Thank you so much, dawgsontop. You’re my new best friend. The “horns” description was perfect.
 

Sunroof Guy

New Member
U.S. Marine Veteran
Messages
2
Reactions
0
Points
1
Location
Auburn hills
Vehicle
2024 Explorer
#30
I had a 2021 ST with the "rattling" noise and the dealer did not find anything. I just purchased a new 2023 ST and guess what? it has the same rattle! It looks like the moonroof split on top is loose or needs to be attached better (see picture attached). Anyone have experience with fixing the moonroof?
It is probably the anti squeak/rattle foam pads that are attached to the bottom of the moving glass panel at the rear corners where the center drain channel contacts the glass from underneath. Dealerships should have the parts to simply place new pad in the correct position.
 

Sunroof Guy

New Member
U.S. Marine Veteran
Messages
2
Reactions
0
Points
1
Location
Auburn hills
Vehicle
2024 Explorer
#31
Mine sounds like it's coming from the interior crossbar trim piece rather than the moonroof itself (I doubt performing a panel reinitialization/alignment would solve anything).

Might be a tall ask, but can you post a few picture with where the dealer fixed the foam pieces?

I suspect that is all mine needs to quiet the creak/rattle.
It is probably the anti squeak/rattle foam pads that are attached to the bottom of the moving glass panel at the rear corners where the center drain channel contacts the glass from underneath. Dealerships should have the parts to simply place new pad in the correct position.
 

Messages
178
Reactions
86
Points
27
Location
Sumner County TN
Vehicle
2025 Ford Explorer ST 400a
#32
Did you check the bat louver wings on both sides? Open the roof all the way? When open, there should be like little accordion wings that deflect the air. They just slide onto a fin. Drove me nuts on my truck. If it is, clean the metal fin and add a dab of silicone to it, slide it back on. Close it and let it dry. Should help. Good luck.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

DawgsOnTop

New Member
Nurse
Messages
7
Reactions
2
Points
2
Location
Georgia
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#33
Another adjustment I made was to the actual fixed glass (rear) piece. It is held in place by 3-4 torx screws down each side. The front most bracket, closest to drivers headrest, was all the way “down” and making contact with the track. Which I believe was a significant source of rattle. I loosened the torx screw and lifted the glass up ever so slightly to remove this contact and then retightened. I inspected all mounting points and all were spaced adequately above the track now. I haven’t had any sunroof/headliner rattles since this and the above-mentioned foam install.
 



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