Power Sunroof & Convertible Top Components

Sunroofs and convertible tops let us experience the sun and fresh air when the weather is nice, and be protected from the elements when it’s not. When you let your hair and your car top down and go catching the sunshine, feeling its warmth and the light breeze tickling your face as you cruise down a scenic highway is nothing short of invigorating. A traditional convertible top has a textile covering over an articulated frame that folds up under a fabric or rigid tonneau cover. Many new convertibles have multi-section retractable hard tops that fold into and store in the trunk of the vehicle. A great number of cars come with power sunroofs instead of traditional convertible top, providing vent, tilt, or fully open capability to let everyone in a vehicle enjoy the outdoors from the inside.

A sunroof may be a glass or metal panel. If made of glass, a sliding shade will be incorporated into the roof. Most sunroofs slide inside the roof when opened but on vehicles like sports cars, with significantly curved rooflines, the panel slides up and over the roof. An electric motor, with either cables or a gear mechanism, opens and closes the sunroof when commanded by the switch. The switch allows the operator to open and close the panel, or to tilt it up at the rear for ventilation. On many vehicles the switch has an express feature that opens or closes the sunroof with just the touch of a button.

Most convertibles are based on a 2-door platform and the top takes the place of the metal roof structure. Because the metal roof provides a significant amount of rigidity to the vehicle, a convertible usually has reinforcement brackets added to the vehicle structure to stiffen the chassis. The cloth or vinyl material is attached to the metal frame and weatherstripping seals the top at the windshield header and side windows. The top is controlled by an electric motor that either operates the top mechanism via gears or powers a hydraulic pump, which in turn supplies pressure to hydraulic cylinders that raise and lower the top. Even with a power top, the driver usually has to latch and unlatch the front of the top at the windshield. When the switch is activated to retract the top, on many vehicles the windows also roll down.

Vehicles with retractable hard tops enjoy the best of both worlds: the open air freedom of a convertible with the security and weather protection that a soft top can’t provide. Rain or shine, you can wheel in comfort all year round in any kind of weather. The mechanism that operates a retractable top is similar to a convertible top with a rigid tonneau, although because of the extra mass of the rigid panels, a retractable top is stowed in the trunk of the vehicle. With a retractable top, a vehicle that appears like a regular coupe can be transformed into a convertible with just the touch of a button. The only downside to such an arrangement is a considerable reduction in cargo room in the trunk with the top down.

A sunroof/convertible/hard top brings you all-season driving pleasure from sunset to sunrise, while keeping you safe from the elements and protected from high winds and wicked weather. However, just like other parts of your vehicle, their components are prone to wear, fade, or crack over time, which makes them inefficient and prevents them from proper operation. If you’re in need of superior replacements to swap out your worn, torn, or faulty parts, go with CARiD, your indispensable assistant when it comes to restoring your sunroof/convertible top to its optimal operation. Premium parts offered in our sunroof, convertible, and hardtop product portfolio will bring you back the sun and open air enjoyment on a sunny, warm weather with an OE factory look. It includes everything you may need for a long-lasting repair, from high-quality motors, switches, relays and actuators to motor pumps, control module and marker light connectors, and many more. Made from high-grade materials to exact specifications, power sunroof and convertible top components offer the perfect OE-style look, fit, and function. You can easily open your sunroof/top from the comfort of the driver’s seat to let light and fresh air in during daytime or watch the stars and enjoy the moonlight at warm summer nights, as well as effortlessly close it during storms and other wraths of Mother Nature. Keep your adventures spirit alive and enjoy the added sense of freedom with your sunroof/convertible working as a charm again.