Skylight gaskets disintegrating

[edgemaster]

Hi, I'm just doing some spring cleaning/detailing on my 2009 Edge LTD and I noticed that the gasket(s) around and between the 2 skylights seems to be disintegrating.

Are those 2 separate gaskets or is it one gasket for both? 

Is there a post somewhere that would describe where to order and how to replace those gaskets?

I need to replace them before the Texas Spring storms pop up but have never done it before but and I've no idea how to go at it.

Can anyone post some advice/ideas?

Thanks,

Ed 

[edgemaster]

Looks like nobody knows anything about my problem, pity!

[edgemaster]

Perhaps some people have been thrown off by my erroneously calling the sunroof the wrong name (skylights), my bad, sorry. 

I found a diagram of all the pieces that go into the sunroof but there are so many that I am sort of confused which ones I need to order.

I'll attach that image, maybe someone can point me into the right direction?

Thanks a lot.

Ed

[enigma-2]

My guess is you're talking about

#16 (upper seal, 7T4Z-7851707-A, $127.86)

#17 (front seal, 7T4Z-7851884-A, $228.63) &

#18 (rear seal, 7T4Z-7850036-A, $244.66).

 

As for method of repair, you are going to need to buy a body manual to do the job properly. You can buy a set of bofmdy manuals on Ebay for $30. 

Item number 394401556064 (last one, don't dilly dally).

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/394401556064?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=2_naznvlqda&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=Snv36mbbRk2&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 30 by enigma-2

[enigma-2]

Link to working diagram, part numbers, prices and where to buy parts.

 

https://parts.levittownfordparts.com/v-2009-lincoln-mkx--base--3-5l-v6-gas/body--sunroof

[enigma-2]

As an alternative, and the seals aren't too bad, could always try 303 seal rejuvenater on them.

 

 

https://www.overtons.com/303-rubber-seal-protectant-3.4-oz.-320858.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign={Campaign}&cq_cmp=22321557994&cq_con=181735643968&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_plt=gp&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtJ6_BhDWARIsAGanmKfYMpnjrb-AMJwEfuC3HIv6fCTyw5FnBzjvnfwY35Sw4_qyW0f4fa4aAoIbEALw_wcB

[edgemaster]

enigma-2

Thanks for the detailed info. Actually, I'm talking about the rubber seal between the front and the rear glass. I'm not sure which it is on that diagram.

And no, that rejuvenator likely won't work, there are large pieces of rubber that can be pulled off.  

[enigma-2]

The fact that you have an illustrated parts breakdown avaliable and are having difficulty identifying the exact problem could mean you're out of you level of expertise. (I certainly would be.)

 

The sunroof is a large, heavy complicated assembly. Personally I've worked on my 09 MKX and was able to replace the accordion seals, but that's childs play compared to what you're trying to accomplish. 

 

What I would do is drop by the local Ford dealership and ask them for their opinion. (Ask to speak only with the service manager.)

 

I strongly suspect that they wouldn't consider repairing the assy, but the probably call in an outside vendor for the repair.

 

If they can identify the actual weatherstripping that's failing, ask for a quote to repair. Its probably going to be six or seven hundred as the assy has to be torn apart.

 

If they don't repair these assys, ask who they recommend that can do it.

 

(It's important that you ask for the service manager for this, the guys at the front desk are not mechanics, just there to schedule and upsell the clients.) 

 

I'll look for a YouTube video on taking the roof apart, I remember watching in the past. Ill post the link in a separate message.

[edgemaster]

Just ordered those manuals, thanks for the tip.

Thanks again for helping me, looking forward to watching that video.

[enigma-2]

These two videos are not exactly how to replace weatherstripping, but do show how to get into the inside of the aasy

 

 

[enigma-2]

 

 

 

[Tim W. AZ]

Because I live in the desert, every year I spray all my rubber gaskets with silicon spray and massage it in with a silicon dampened rag. It keeps them supple. I also did it in Minnesota to keep the door from freezing. I also inspect and lube my pano regularly. Don't use WD, it's a petroleum product and breaks down summer and plastic. 

[enigma-2]

I use 303 Protectant on rubber parts exposed to the sun. Use silicone spray on the BAMR moving parts.

Believe 303 is a better product for high sun locations. (Very highly rated.)

 

https://a.co/d/2C32Ku5

[Tim W. AZ]

3 minutes ago, enigma-2 said:

I use 303 Protectant on rubber parts exposed to the sun. Use silicone spray on the BAMR moving parts.

Believe 303 is a better product for high sun locations. (Very highly rated.)

 

https://a.co/d/2C32Ku5

I use 303 on my dash and tires, great stuff. The gaskets I lube are under hood, tail gate and doors, so no sun exposure. But it's so dry and hot, it bakes the rubber, so hopefully it helps.

[enigma-2]

I also wipe my wiper blades with an alcohol wipe to clean the dirt off the blade, then wipe with with 303. 

[Haz]

@edgemaster: The 2009 Edge Workshop Manual provides the following illustration showing the Fixed Glass panel of your Edge's Panoramic Roof.

 

You are describing the U-shaped Fixed Glass Front Seal (item 1), which along with the two Side Trim Seals (item 3) fill the gaps at the front and on the left & right sides of the Fixed Glass panel, where channels exist to drain water to the rear of the roof, where it flows out through the left & right side End Caps (item 7)...

 

 

 

 

As you may already know, the waterproof sealing of the Fixed Glass panel is provided by a continual bead of urethane adhesive applied to the metal roof structure in the shape of Path 1 or Path 2, depending upon the model year of the Edge/MKX...

 

 

 

Ford's parts-selling website offers photos of the Front seal which may be helpful, and which appears to show the red pull-off strip for double-sided tape used to affix the Front seal to the roof, underneath the outer edges of the Fixed Glass panel...

 

Link to this FordParts webpage

 

 

 

 

 

The Workshop Manual does not provide any procedure relating to removal and installation of the Front seal. If it did, I expect because of the minimal clearance between the Front seal's left-hand & right-hand side legs and the seals on the Side Trim pieces, the procedure might involve removal of the Fixed Glass panel by cutting the bead of urethane sealant, cleaning residue from the glass panel and the metal roof, then installing of the Front seal on the roof, apply the continuous bead of urethane sealant, and install the Fixed Glass panel, all of which would very likely involve a professional glass installer.

 

Working clearances between the rear of the Moving Glass panel and the front of the Fixed Glass panel are greater, however, so if the Front seal is only deteriorated on the front, then it might be possible to cut the existing Front seal away from its side legs, and similarly cut the replacement Front seal after clearing away all remaining rubber from underneath the front edge of the Fixed Glass panel.

 

I would say, before attempting any of this, it would be prudent to use a feeler gage to assess how much clearance or compression-on-the-seal exists between the bottom of the glass panel and the metal rooftop. If the double-sided-taped seal cannot be freely inserted and affixed underneath the front edge of the Fixed Glass panel, then I expect, services of a professional glass installer may be needed - at a much higher cost.

 

Good luck!

 

Roof Opening Panel Glass — Rear Fixed - Removal and Installation - 2009 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf Roof Opening Panel — Exploded View Illustrations - 2009 Edge Workshop Manual.pdf

[edgemaster]

Haz, thanks for the detailed response. I had ordered the manuals, they are on the way.

It appears that the seal is only deteriorating at the front, so just replacing the front part might be possible.

Hope that will work.