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Thread: Sunroof rubber accordion gator part number?

  1. #1
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    Sunroof rubber accordion gator part number?

    Hey,

    Does anyone know what the part number is for the bellows looking rubber cover seen when the sunroof is tilted up?

    Can't seem to find it on realoem.

    Thanks

    -Anson
    1999 BMW 540i Sport

  2. #2
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    2003 e39 540i M-Tech
    Don't know the part number, but in my Bentley manual for my e39 540i the diagram name is a gasket.

    I am having my sunroof not venting- the motor comes on, can hear it seem to lift, but the sunroof won't lift up to vent. It does open/close and there are no leaks when it rains. Any ideas on a DIY solution?

  3. #3
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    Alpina540i: It appears to be item 12: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...BMW-540i&mg=54

    Bullwinkle628: Search on sunroof repair. There are two plastic parts that break and prevent tilt. Also, browse "E39 Common Problems and DIY Fixes," at the top of the home page.
    Last edited by edjack; 05-17-2016 at 12:36 PM.


    Ed in San Jose '97 540i 6 speed aspensilber over aubergine leather. Build date 3/97. Golden Gate Chapter BMW CCA Nr 62319.

  4. #4
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    The two small plastic parts that are likely needed to fix the problem are available on eBay for under $10.

    It's possible that other parts are broken. But those are significantly more expensive and unlikely enough to be broken that it's not worth buying first.

    The DIYs are excellent.

  5. #5
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    Thanks I saw that in the diagram it just doesn't look like the part. I guess I will risk it and order one.

    For those removing the bellows, take the lower part of the bellows loose from the car then remove the glass bolts.

    The sun bakes the rubber into the glass on the upper part of the bellows and its near impossible to remove without tearing.
    1999 BMW 540i Sport

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Alpina540i View Post
    Thanks I saw that in the diagram it just doesn't look like the part. I guess I will risk it and order one. .
    Was edjack right? They don’t look right either to me but I just tore one of mine

  7. #7
    geargrinder's Avatar
    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
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    Just saw this thread w/ the bump today.

    #12 is not the bellows/'boot'. #12 is the plastic rim thing that goes on the glass.

    I'm not sure the bellows (or 'boot' as I think they call it...) is available actually.

    The trick to the boot removal is well documented in the many DIY's. You leave it attached to the car. You need a hook-pick that hooks into the folded metal support under the rubber that holds it into the glass part. If you get that hooked in right, then it comes right out, regardless of baking-in etc. If you don't, then you tear the boot. I would not advise whatsoever trying to pull the glass with the boots still hanging there.

    Quote Originally Posted by djb2 View Post
    The two small plastic parts that are likely needed to fix the problem are available on eBay for under $10.

    It's possible that other parts are broken. But those are significantly more expensive and unlikely enough to be broken that it's not worth buying first.

    The DIYs are excellent.
    FYI, 2 kinds of "3rd party manufactured" plastic sliders are on eBay... 3D printed and injection molded versions... I have ordered both and would strongly recommend the injection molded ones... the 3D printed ones are brittle as hell, probably a fraction of the strength of the factory ones...
    2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
    2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
    2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
    2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)

    Former:

    1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
    1995.5 Audi S6 Avant (utility/winter billetturbobattlewagen)


  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by geargrinder View Post
    FYI, 2 kinds of "3rd party manufactured" plastic sliders are on eBay... 3D printed and injection molded versions... I have ordered both and would strongly recommend the injection molded ones... the 3D printed ones are brittle as hell, probably a fraction of the strength of the factory ones...
    When I bought there were only injection molded parts.

    Most hobbyist 3D printed parts like this are garbage. If the original failed, making a crude replacement with much weaker plastic isn't going to work. Even with the same resin, high pressure injection molding will almost always produce a much stronger part. And the resins used with hobbyist printers are weaker to start with.

  9. #9
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    Thanks for the replies, ironically I got them off intact first time around but got complacent second time when I tore one

    Will take a look on eBay and see what’s available or might try some from a breaker, guess a steel sunroof would be best as they won’t have been quite so exposed to the sun.

    Are all BMW sunroofs the same size from the E46/E39/E38 and possibly later models?


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by BarryM View Post
    Are all BMW sunroofs the same size from the E46/E39/E38 and possibly later models?


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    This is easy to find out...just pull up the diagram for the sunroof on one of the online part database sites like wwwrealoem.com, www.bmwfans.info, or www.etk.cc ...then just click on the 11 digit BMW part number and the sites will list all other BMW models that use the same part number.
    Become a BMW CCA member! Click HERE to join and feel free to use my BMW CCA member #191509 as a referral.

    2015 650ix GC (Moonstone/Cohiba Brown) <<~>> 2014 X5 50i (Space Gray/Mocha)

  11. #11
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    Good idea, it seems a few bits are common to the X5 but no listing for the rubber part I need on the X5 diagrams either. Guess I’ll be trying to get ‘good’ 15yo items.....


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  12. #12
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    Reviving an old, old thread from the dead to say... the sunroof gators/accordions/bellows for the E39 are available, but are not cheap. Found this out today while searching.
    Not obvious at all on RealOEM, they are number 14 on this diagram:
    https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=54_0195
    54128202281
    54128202282

    ECS currently shows $343. My preferred parts company shows $287.
    ouchie
    Nate J.

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