Sunroof squeaks and rattles

[Irish1004]

My wifeÂ’s 2014 Q5 Premium Plus has been to our local Audi dealer 3 times to try and resolve the numerous and annoying squeaks and rattles from the sunroof. While theyÂ’ve been able to mitigate the issue somewhat; the noise usually comes back in short order especially on rough roads.

I tried a remedy thatÂ’s been out on various forums and the internet for a while and it totally solved the issue. All I did was open the sunroof and carefully applied a vinyl/rubber conditioner/dressing from Macquires (IÂ’m sure any similar product will work) to the sunroof gasket. The rubber was extremely dry due to age and UV rays. I applied it several times to saturate the rubber to as much of the gasket that I could access with the sunroof open.
ItÂ’s been about a month since the 20 minute application and still no noise. IÂ’m sure IÂ’ll have to reapply it periodically especially as the warmer weather is here.
My wife loves her Q5 but was so annoyed by the noise that she was thinking of trading the car in. Obviously sheÂ’s thrilled at the results of this fix.

[SBBamafan]

I might have come up with a solution this week that actually works. I am going to take another week or two of 'testing' before I proclaim victory over this situation. I have had my car nearly 10,000 miles and this has been driving me crazy almost since I bought it. I now have just under 40,000 miles on my 2015. I started with different cleaning and lubricating and all the things I was reading about to no avail or maybe a very short lived result. Then I found some things online for similar issues with panoramic roofs on other German cars with similar problems but I didn't like the solutions but it led me toward a theory. Then I had a 'eureka moment'. Could it be this simple? Maybe....like I said - give me a few more days of testing and I will clue you in.

[chawski]

I know it sounds like the low hanging fruit, but check that all the screws on the track are tight. I had one slightly loose. Another thing that can cause squeeks is the frame rubbing on the headliner. May need to drop that corner of the headliner and put some foam gasket between the roof rail and the headliner.

If that doesn't do it, might be worth checking with the dealership even if out of warranty. It's a known issue so even if they won't go free, they may help you out or at least give you some additional pointers

[giggidy1]

I might have come up with a solution this week that actually works. I am going to take another week or two of 'testing' before I proclaim victory over this situation. I have had my car nearly 10,000 miles and this has been driving me crazy almost since I bought it. I now have just under 40,000 miles on my 2015. I started with different cleaning and lubricating and all the things I was reading about to no avail or maybe a very short lived result. Then I found some things online for similar issues with panoramic roofs on other German cars with similar problems but I didn't like the solutions but it led me toward a theory. Then I had a 'eureka moment'. Could it be this simple? Maybe....like I said - give me a few more days of testing and I will clue you in.

Let us know if the results are confirmed. Subscribed.

[tmoe]

My 2013 does the same thing - I've tried everything - will be interested in results

[turrifik]

My wifeÂ’s 2014 Q5 Premium Plus has been to our local Audi dealer 3 times to try and resolve the numerous and annoying squeaks and rattles from the sunroof. While theyÂ’ve been able to mitigate the issue somewhat; the noise usually comes back in short order especially on rough roads.

I tried a remedy thatÂ’s been out on various forums and the internet for a while and it totally solved the issue. All I did was open the sunroof and carefully applied a vinyl/rubber conditioner/dressing from Macquires (IÂ’m sure any similar product will work) to the sunroof gasket. The rubber was extremely dry due to age and UV rays. I applied it several times to saturate the rubber to as much of the gasket that I could access with the sunroof open.
ItÂ’s been about a month since the 20 minute application and still no noise. IÂ’m sure IÂ’ll have to reapply it periodically especially as the warmer weather is here.
My wife loves her Q5 but was so annoyed by the noise that she was thinking of trading the car in. Obviously sheÂ’s thrilled at the results of this fix.

Thanks for this. I tried some conditioner/lubricant on all the rubber seals around the retractable glass and voila... no more rattles so far this week. And this is after the TSB was already done.


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[giggidy1]

Thanks for this. I tried some conditioner/lubricant on all the rubber seals around the retractable glass and voila... no more rattles so far this week. And this is after the TSB was already done.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What was the TSB for the sunroof? Does this apply only to the B8/B8.5 generation q5/sq5s?

[vocabsr]

I might have come up with a solution this week that actually works. I am going to take another week or two of 'testing' before I proclaim victory over this situation. I have had my car nearly 10,000 miles and this has been driving me crazy almost since I bought it. I now have just under 40,000 miles on my 2015. I started with different cleaning and lubricating and all the things I was reading about to no avail or maybe a very short lived result. Then I found some things online for similar issues with panoramic roofs on other German cars with similar problems but I didn't like the solutions but it led me toward a theory. Then I had a 'eureka moment'. Could it be this simple? Maybe....like I said - give me a few more days of testing and I will clue you in.

Well?

[wrcardon]

I might have come up with a solution this week that actually works. I am going to take another week or two of 'testing' before I proclaim victory over this situation. I have had my car nearly 10,000 miles and this has been driving me crazy almost since I bought it. I now have just under 40,000 miles on my 2015. I started with different cleaning and lubricating and all the things I was reading about to no avail or maybe a very short lived result. Then I found some things online for similar issues with panoramic roofs on other German cars with similar problems but I didn't like the solutions but it led me toward a theory. Then I had a 'eureka moment'. Could it be this simple? Maybe....like I said - give me a few more days of testing and I will clue you in.

Did we ever hear about this mysterious miracle fix?

I just keep everything lubed up with some trim detail and I don’t get squeaks or rattles. If I don’t, they definitely come back.

[Irish1004]

Yes I’ve found that ongoing maintenance to the sunroof seal is the key to eliminating the squeaks and rattles. I apply a vinyl conditioner every time I wash the car. It’s not a lot of extra work but I’d be interested if anyone has come up with a more permanent and lower maintenance solution.

[SBBamafan]

My mystery fix did not work. Since then I have tried a half dozen other things. Nothing has worked. I even took it in to the dealer this week at just under 40,000 for my 45,000 service and they politely told me to pound sand. They offered the TSB for $560 but did not guarantee it would get rid of the noise. The noise is getting worse and I am increasingly frustrated with a car that has not quite turned 40,000 miles. Also the car needs a new $350 battery and a $300 grill that is peeling (known issue from another TSB). I have to say the service level and consumer care with Audi is FAR BELOW what I have received from either Toyota or Ford and is horribly disappointing for what is supposed to be a premium car brand. I have really thought about trading it. Quite frankly, I'm pissed at the way the two dealers I have talked to have responded. I am not saying they owe me more, but they clearly have no interest in making me happy compared to the way dealers of other brands I have owned have in the past.

[uncleiggy]

Sorry guys but nothing fixes the rattle once and for all. I own a 2009 Q5 that has had the complete frame and roof replaced twice under warranty, last time 14 months ago as a goodwill gesture but rattles are still there, especially in cold days, with this last fix the rattle is now subtle, but a “trained” ear can notice it and considering the reputation I’d say it’ll come back in full swing in the future. Keeping the rails clean and lubed does help quite a bit, in summer months it’s pretty much mute, but drive over a very bad road or cobbled road and you’ll wake up the monster.

[rsteponaitis]

I have a 2012 Q5 that does the same thing, although I’m just so used to it that it doesn’t even phase me. But whenever my Dad rides in the car with me he complains about it🤷*♂️


IG: @ _qfive

[wrcardon]

Anyone ever try dry silicone lubricant? I have not yet but thinking it may help.

[uncleiggy]

Anyone ever try dry silicone lubricant? I have not yet but thinking it may help.

This is what Audi dealers use, have you tried it already? G052141A2

[MedinaGreen]

Anyone ever try dry silicone lubricant? I have not yet but thinking it may help.

I just bought a can of the dry silicone lubricant from wd40. I sprayed down the tracks with the sunroof open. Not sure yet if it has helped, we’ll see once it warms up here.

[choppstixxx]

I would not recommend using anything but the VW/Audi grease, it repels dirt/dust and lasts a lot longer than a spray silicone.

[Irish1004]

I would not recommend using anything but the VW/Audi grease, it repels dirt/dust and lasts a lot longer than a spray silicone.

I agree as the main issue causing the squeaks is the rubber sunroof seal drying out and rubbing against the sunroof frame and glass. Silicone will rot the rubber seal and hence further degrade it. The best products for this seal are Krytox, 303 Rubber Seal Protectant and Conditioner or Meguiars Extreme Marine and Rubber Protectant which are all available on Amazon.com.
The Audi/VW grease is really designed to lubricate the metal tracks of the sunroof.

[wrcardon]

I agree as the main issue causing the squeaks is the rubber sunroof seal drying out and rubbing against the sunroof frame and glass. Silicone will rot the rubber seal and hence further degrade it. The best products for this seal are Krytox, 303 Rubber Seal Protectant and Conditioner or Meguiars Extreme Marine and Rubber Protectant which are all available on Amazon.com.
The Audi/VW grease is really designed to lubricate the metal tracks of the sunroof.

I was just going to use the dry silicone spray on the metal parts. The Audi/VW grease is probably better. Anyone know which one they use?

Of kytox, 303 Rubber Seal Protectant and Conditioner or Meguiars Extreme Marine and Rubber Protectant which one doe you think is the best? I have been using https://www.amazon.com/Surf-City-Gar...r=8-1-fkmrnull because it is kind of liquid waxy product (water soluble) and not greasy. With the waxiness it seems to last a bit longer than other dressings I have tried.

[MedinaGreen]

The dealer gave me part number G060751A3 for the lube. It was listed at like 95 bucks but said they could drop it down to like 65 bucks.

[Irish1004]

I was just going to use the dry silicone spray on the metal parts. The Audi/VW grease is probably better. Anyone know which one they use?

Of kytox, 303 Rubber Seal Protectant and Conditioner or Meguiars Extreme Marine and Rubber Protectant which one doe you think is the best? I have been using https://www.amazon.com/Surf-City-Gar...r=8-1-fkmrnull because it is kind of liquid waxy product (water soluble) and not greasy. With the waxiness it seems to last a bit longer than other dressings I have tried.

I’ve used the Meguiars and 303 product. Both really recondition the rubber and aren’t greasy. The Krytox is a grease but does not contain silicone and can be used in a number of different applications. As to the Audi/VW genuine sunroof grease I see this product G00045002 on Amazon for around $21 and has been recommended on several Audi Forums.

[SQive]

Has anyone tried the OG method of using Water-Displacing Formula 40?
It's fish oil and I'd think that wouldn't harm the rubber seals.