The LeSabre & Bonneville Project -- New SSEi Progress: Pg 8

[nos4blood70]

Looks more racekar this way. Good to see progress happening!

[Jrs3800]

Because of that sunroof, I have come to really hate them (I don't even use the one in my G8), and after I get this in and lined up, I'm probably never going to open it again.

Progress is slow (mostly because of winter), but I'm getting there!

Going from my SLE with the sunroof to the 95 SE without a sunroof, I don't miss it at all... 99% of the time I don't even notice..

[gweg_b]

Yeah, I haven't been a fan since most of the water leaks in the car are a result of something that is part of the sunroof.

And to Carl, this car does feel like a project build, all-about-speed car, but I am starting to miss the comforts provided by having a complete interior (sound dampening and heat isolation).

Expected interior completion is first or second week of April (assuming the weather holds out).

[Jrs3800]

All I can say is that LeSabre looks bad ass with the exhaust and the wing.. I just love my old H bodies... Just something to be said for the way they ride and drive...

[sandrock]

Because of that sunroof, I have come to really hate them (I don't even use the one in my G8), and after I get this in and lined up, I'm probably never going to open it again.

Progress is slow (mostly because of winter), but I'm getting there!

Going from my SLE with the sunroof to the 95 SE without a sunroof, I don't miss it at all... 99% of the time I don't even notice..

You're going to have to open it up every so often. Once every 6 months or so that rubber gasket needs to get cleaned and treated. And if you haven't cleaned out the drain tubes, now would be a great time to.

I feel ya on the sunroof thing, I need a whole new assembly too, in fact it's out right now so I can paint inside the flange areas. I can at least run my satellite antenna cable and new radio antenna cable through with the headliner not being there

[gweg_b]

Thanks, Don! I'm a fan of the older H bodies as well. The LeSabre has always been a favorite of mine to drive, and that is why I really want to make this year the year I get that car back on the road.

You're going to have to open it up every so often. Once every 6 months or so that rubber gasket needs to get cleaned and treated. And if you haven't cleaned out the drain tubes, now would be a great time to.

Sunroof drains have been cleaned out. I can open it to clean and condition the seal, I just worry about it. Now, this replacement sunroof came off an '01 with only 39K, so it may have many years left in it, and I really hope it does.


In related news for the LeSabre, I have a friend that is working on a business deal in the coming months that might allow me a huge storage/workspace for the LeSabre. I'm excited, but that deal is still several months away. That might finally allow me to do a full restoration on the car.

[MattStrike]

I cant wait to see the LeSabre myself... But, yeah, nice SSEi

Is there a way to tell why the old sunroof failed? Maybe you can take steps to avoid it other than not using it?

[gweg_b]

Matt, not exactly sure what caused the track to break. My guess is not enough grease, which in turn created too much friction or resistance, and the plastic gave out?

The replacement seems to be greasy enough, maybe I'll try to use it a bit, and then in a year or so, grease it back up.

[gweg_b]

I had a thought.

I was reading Bill's (Squilliam) post of his 95 PAU, and he mentioned hooking his trunk pull down motor back up. I'm wondering, would anyone know, if I were to source one of those from a junkyard, if I could make it work with my LeSabre? I've only ever have seen the units on PA's and Olds, but I'm sure it shouldn't be too difficult. Unless I'm just wishing too big.

Anyone ever mess with one of those, or install it on a vehicle that didn't have it, and know what's involved? Or would it even work in a LeSabre?

[gweg_b]

Update on progress.

Finally got around to repairing the driver's side sunroof drain. That was difficult for me, as my arthritis doesn't allow me to twist and contort the way I used too, but I got it done. So, I should have 0 leaks now. I'm actually looking forward to the rain this week, so I can laugh at it and say "You're not getting inside my car anymore!!"

Anyway, I also get the headliner in as well. So nice to have a clean, sag-free headliner.





And, yes, I screwed up with the headliner console. I'll fix that once I have everything else done.

The best part however is this:





5 years later, it's finally working again!!!! I still have to make adjustments to the sunroof (doesn't go into vent position yet), but this will be one of the few times it'll be open, as I don't even want to go through this again.

After this, I need to replace a ground splice on the passenger side, patch up the surface rust on the floor, Scotch Guard the carpets, and then everything goes back in. Then it will be time to start trying to figure out the knock, and working on getting the LeSabre back on to the road!



By the way, if I ever buy another Bonneville, it'll be a rebuilt one from Andrew.

[SSEiMan01]

What's wrong with the console? I assume you're talking about the sunroof controls? I have one I'd be willing to part with if you need it.

[gweg_b]

I believe I was supposed to put it in before I tightened everything on the headliner, as I can't quite get it to fit through the opening. It works fine, just did some steps backwards.

I'm just happy to have a sunroof that seals, and can move if I need it too! No more having to get out of the car and making sure it's lined with the roof, or listening to the grinding noise the old used to make (broken track).

[SSEiMan01]

Ahh. When I replaced mine I didn't have to touch the headliner.

[gweg_b]

It may be that my new headliner is thicker than the OEM, and it'll probably be easier to put back in with the front edge of the headliner down. That'll be easier to do once I have both front seats in, as I won't have to fight against gravity to get the visor's back in.

[gweg_b]

I just want to scream.

I water tested everything before I put it together, and no leaks, anywhere. Come out to my car this morning, after it rained all night, and found water pooled behind the driver's seat again.

The inside of the seal around the sunroof was dry, the headliner was dry, and I couldn't find any remnants of water from the front drain. The only thing I haven't done yet is the driver door seal, but that was a lot of water back there (which I used to figure was all coming from the drain) for just a leaky door seal.

Passenger side has been dry for months, and continues that to be that way. I have unclogged all the drains, reattached both front drains, resealed 3 of the 4 doors, and have a replacement sunroof that actually seals against the car. Anyone know if there's anything I'm missing?

Sorry, just kind of had to vent, as it feels like I got nothing accomplished because of this.



Anyway, expect to see some Buick updates this weekend.

[nubuilder]

If it helps at all, I replaced my trunk seal and now I still have water in the trunk. I really thought it was the seal because it was deformed, but now I think it is one of the several bolts that go through the trunk lid and for the rear bumper.

Persistence is key!!!

[gweg_b]

Yeah, I haven't even gotten to the trunk yet. Although annoying, I don't find it critical yet. I'm just wanting to get the interior back together (leak free of course) so I can focus on the knock and the LeSabre.

Tonight I might try some heavy duty water testing, and I hope to find out that it's just the door still leaking.




If it turns out to be the sunroof, I'm gluing that thing shut.

[SSEiMan01]

You'd be surprised what a bad door leak can do... Is it possible one of the drains could have come loose upon reinstallation Greg?

Nubuilder, a solution that usually does the trick for a trunk leak is to pull out the four rubber plugs along the bottom of the trunk lid. When it's open, they're along the bottom edge of the lid, basically so the water behind the center tail etc, would drain down through the lid and onto the bumper.

[gweg_b]

Well, I used epoxy and clamps on the drains. Passenger side has been good for months. Just did the driver's this past weekend. If I have too, I'll go back in there and look at it, but I'm going to make sure first.

As I said, hopefully it is just the door seal.

[nubuilder]

Nubuilder, a solution that usually does the trick for a trunk leak is to pull out the four rubber plugs along the bottom of the trunk lid. When it's open, they're along the bottom edge of the lid, basically so the water behind the center tail etc, would drain down through the lid and onto the bumper.

Unfortunately, I already pulled those plugs (only saw 2). My only guess is that the spoiler/center tail (possibly third brake light, but it looks to be in square) leak. Then when it runs out the trunk lid like it is supposed to, the 4 bolts that go through the rear of the trunk that hold the bumper on allow the water to leak in. The water is most definitely running down the back side of the spare tire well. I originally thought my deformed seal was causing it, but now that's fixed and the seal has been replaced.

When I go to open the trunk, water pours out those drain holes in the bottom of the trunk lid.

If it makes any difference, my car hasn't moved in 5 days, my carpet and shock towers are bone dry.