KAH 24
Full Access Member
Good evening all,
PMCS (Preventive Maintenance Checks & Services) is important for every vehicle per OEM guidelines.
After a great deal of analysis, there is no flaw in the Ford Raptor panoramic sunroof design (which I love and works as smooth as a well cared for Swiss watch).
The failures, creaks, squeaks, etc., occur due to a lack of maintenance by the owner—yes the owner.
NOTE1: The pano could be engineered by Ford, GM, Toyota, Lexus, VW/Audi/Porsche, or Santa Claus Auto Corp—but if not maintained by the owner it is going to have issues—just like anything else that neglected. It is not the responsibility of an OEM to teach “pride in ownership”.
NOTE2: PMCS applies not only to vehicles, but to the human body. When systems fail, it’s in part due to the care provided over a lifetime—no warranty from the OEM manufacturer.
NOTE3: Regular cleaning of the drain tubes (my Raptor is garaged, so 1x yr works). If you keep your truck outdoors, especially if it lives under trees/sandy/dirty areas (I’d clean it at least 3-4x yr).
NOTE4: Ensure the lube you use meets Krytox specs—works well under heat/cold conditions (remember the sun heats the roof of our Raptors to 200F plus easily (hotter for darker vehicles) under direct sunlight—so the lubricant has to have the ability to cling/protect not evaporate under heat—while also being fluid/non binding when cold).
NOTE5: I PMCS with a white lithium based grease that does not attack plastics/rubber/synthetics. I do this with every family vehicle with a sunroof—and no failures. I also coat the seals with UV protectant—as they take a beating.
NOTE6: PMCS/Exercise the sunroof—and the rear sliding window as well.
The panoramic sunroof is a thing of beauty, but requires PMCS. If you maintain it—you’ll enjoy it.
If you don’t like PMCS, get a hardtop truck with no sunroof—but please don’t whine that Ford (or any OEM) created a “poor design.” Ford built a damn good pano.
Last note: My wife’s 100% garage kept silver ‘89 MB 560SL (with over 90k miles) has the OEM fabric top that works better than the day it was installed. The rear “window” is as clear as the day it came from the factory, and every seal is factory—and is as supple as the day it came from the line. We drive this car hard and enjoy it. It lives in the garage (safe from UV)—and it takes a lot of work to keep it that way. Part of the joy of ownership—and the best wife on earth.
PMCS (Preventive Maintenance Checks & Services) is important for every vehicle per OEM guidelines.
After a great deal of analysis, there is no flaw in the Ford Raptor panoramic sunroof design (which I love and works as smooth as a well cared for Swiss watch).
The failures, creaks, squeaks, etc., occur due to a lack of maintenance by the owner—yes the owner.
NOTE1: The pano could be engineered by Ford, GM, Toyota, Lexus, VW/Audi/Porsche, or Santa Claus Auto Corp—but if not maintained by the owner it is going to have issues—just like anything else that neglected. It is not the responsibility of an OEM to teach “pride in ownership”.
NOTE2: PMCS applies not only to vehicles, but to the human body. When systems fail, it’s in part due to the care provided over a lifetime—no warranty from the OEM manufacturer.
NOTE3: Regular cleaning of the drain tubes (my Raptor is garaged, so 1x yr works). If you keep your truck outdoors, especially if it lives under trees/sandy/dirty areas (I’d clean it at least 3-4x yr).
NOTE4: Ensure the lube you use meets Krytox specs—works well under heat/cold conditions (remember the sun heats the roof of our Raptors to 200F plus easily (hotter for darker vehicles) under direct sunlight—so the lubricant has to have the ability to cling/protect not evaporate under heat—while also being fluid/non binding when cold).
NOTE5: I PMCS with a white lithium based grease that does not attack plastics/rubber/synthetics. I do this with every family vehicle with a sunroof—and no failures. I also coat the seals with UV protectant—as they take a beating.
NOTE6: PMCS/Exercise the sunroof—and the rear sliding window as well.
The panoramic sunroof is a thing of beauty, but requires PMCS. If you maintain it—you’ll enjoy it.
If you don’t like PMCS, get a hardtop truck with no sunroof—but please don’t whine that Ford (or any OEM) created a “poor design.” Ford built a damn good pano.
Last note: My wife’s 100% garage kept silver ‘89 MB 560SL (with over 90k miles) has the OEM fabric top that works better than the day it was installed. The rear “window” is as clear as the day it came from the factory, and every seal is factory—and is as supple as the day it came from the line. We drive this car hard and enjoy it. It lives in the garage (safe from UV)—and it takes a lot of work to keep it that way. Part of the joy of ownership—and the best wife on earth.
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