How to Service a Sun Roof in a Mercury Cougar
If you properly maintain your Mercury Cougar's sun roof, you can enjoy the open air in good weather and eliminate the leaks and squeaks. It's generally recommended that you clean and inspect the rubber seal that secures your sun roof at least twice a year.
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Things You'll Need
- Screwdrivers
- Pliers
- Plastic scraping tool
- Rustoleum
- New rubber seal
- Level
- Compressed air
- 3-In-One Lubricant
- Lint-free cloth
Instructions
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Replace the Rubber Seal
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1
Slip inside your Mercury Cougar and remove the interior trim pieces and headliner so you can freely access the sun roof. Before you do so, you might want to take a picture of the headliner so you can return the pieces to their proper places when you're finished.
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2
Unfasten the screws and bolts that hold the sun roof to the car. Unplug the sun roof's power source, located at the rear of the sun roof.
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3
Pull the sun roof up and away from your Mercury Cougar. Consider asking for help with this step, to avoid scratching the car or the sun roof.
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4
Pull the old rubber seal from the roof of the car to expose the trench beneath. Make sure you remove any rubber or adhesive that remains in the trench. Inspect the trench for rust. If you find any, paint the trench with Rustoleum to prevent further corrosion.
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5
Lay the new seal in the trench, working with the outer lip of the seal first and then moving in to the inner lip. Look for wrinkles or gaps. If you find any, lift the seal out of the trench and install it again. Keep doing this until the seal rests smoothly inside the trench.
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6
Replace sun roof back and secure it to the frame of your Mercury Cougar. Check frequently to make sure it remains level. Plug in the power source. Replace the headliner cloth and trim work.
Maintain Your Sun Roof
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7
Inspect the sun roof of your Mercury Cougar to make sure it's seated evenly on your vehicle, not raising or lifting at one corner. Lifting indicates the presence of debris on the tracks, or a damaged seal around the sun roof.
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8
Check the sun roof's four drain tubes for clogging. Two run down the front of your vehicle to the bumpers. Two run to the back, most often by your tail lights. Consult your owner's manual for specific locations, as this can vary slightly year to year. Clear the tubes using compressed air.
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9
Remove the trim from the interior of your Mercury Cougar and allow the interior material to drop. Use compressed air to blow dust and debris from the tracks that move your sun roof. Lubricate them using 3-In-One.
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10
Clean the sun roof's rubber seal with a damp, lint-free cloth. Pay attention to the condition of this seal. If it's damaged, cracked or shows excessive wear, replace it to prevent leaks.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Never use WD-40 to lubricate your sun roof's tracks. It's a water based product, so it freezes in the winter and causes rust.
