Anyone have a good idea as to how to remove the sunroof's windflap. I need to take it off because i got a new plexiglass visor for the front of the sunroof (the one IPD sells). Anyway, the old windflap inside is starting to make a lot of noise so i figured i better just get rid of it before it becomes problem filled. I've heard about how they can catch the headliner and tear it up.

Oh, and on a second note, the sunroof opens fine but closes very slowly and can barely even seal itself. To correct this i have to either push it along very hard or open and close it a number of times until it speeds up and is able to seal itself. I have an electric sunroof.

Any help would be great.
Thanks
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-Brandon at FSU '88 744ti 146k miles

Brandon: the metal flap would sometimes get in the way of my closing sunroof on my '88 740... usually when the car was under speed. I have the plastic wind deflector (Volvo, which I highly recommend to cut noise). I wanted to take out the metal wind deflector too, but settled for a lot less troublesome fix... just figure out a way to keep it in the down position. I fixed mine by using double-stick foam tape. It's been holding it down for 3 years now & is a great fix.
regards,
jlex.

Go to a salvage yard and pick up a hand crank and its cover. It is an easy conversion.

I love the results, it's even faster than a motor.
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2 8s & 2 7s 633,000 miles total

I had the same trouble with mine, but I didn't even bother with the plastic thingie that goes on the outside of the car. There are a couple of arms holding it up/down/wherever that are spring loaded. you'll have to remove the screws holding the surround together to allow removal of the parts in question. There are two or three different types of screww used here, so you'll want to make special note of which one goes where. BTW, all of the screws I speak of are accessed by opening the roof all the way and looking down from the outside of the car. This should at least allow the panel itself to be easily maneuvered free. Mine was bent, so I bent it more in order to minimize stress on other components. There are some little screws that you'll want to keep a close eye on as they will fall off of the panel when it is freed. If you're keeping it for possible replacement, then the reasons are obvious, but in my case, I had no intention of putting the parts back, however, my rump found one of the springs later and it did pierce denim to scratch it.
There are two arms that must be wrestled a bit to get them off of the side of the frame, but they do come off with minimal distortion of the frame. Good Luck!

I bought the IPD visor also and promptly returned it. It is generic in the way it is formed. By the way it is trimmed the same visor will fit a wide variety of cars. I installed and thought it actually create more wind noise than without, because of the fact that it sticks up so high. I then bought the one Volvo sells, and have been very happy. It looks so much better than the IPD unit
and does decrease wind noise a lot.
You shouldn't have to remove the windflap, and you should have the sunroof motor and switch checked. Imagine it being stuck open in pouring rain.

You're talking about the little flap that pops up when the sunroof is open, right? I've never had any problems with that particular part of the sunroof. You should be able to just leave it there and put the new ipd wind visor on with no problems. Assuming, of course, that we're talking about the same part here.
As for the electric(see:"full of problems") sunroof motor, you can always do what my parents did on their old 760ti. It was an 88, too. They removed the little cover over the motor, and inside there is a slot where a flathead screwdriver will go. You turn the screwdriver, and the sunroof closes. Kinda like a manual. Just not quite. We never got around to fixing that problem- the sunroof opened fine when using the switch, but wouldn't budge when closing. Once the engine went( with 288,XXX on it) it really wasn't a priority anymore. I dunno.
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1981 244 glt

Yeah, that is the same part i'm talking about. Everytime I go to close the sunroof, it seems to catch it and get it a bit of trouble. I was told to just remove it, but the person who told me never said how to do so.

Thanks though. I'll probably end up having to use the screwdriver.
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-Brandon at FSU '88 744ti 146k miles

I would remove it with as much force and care as possible without breaking anything else. As for the sunroof not closing, try opening the switch and wire brush the connectors.

George
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1987 745 GLE Turbodiesel Intercooler (D24TIC)/1988 745 Turbo Intercooler (B230FT/M46)