Ford Escape: Roof Opening Panel / Removal and Installation - Roof Opening Panel Shield

Removal

NOTE: Removal steps in this procedure may contain installation details.

1. Remove the roof opening panel glass.
   Refer to: Roof Opening Panel Glass (501-17 Roof Opening Panel, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Press the glass down button and then press the shield close button closing the roof opening panel shield until the cross bar of the shield is positioned in the middle of the roof opening panel glass opening.

1. Remove the headliner.
   Refer to: Headliner (501-05 Interior Trim and Ornamentation, Removal and Installation).
   

1. NOTE: This step requires some stretching of the fabric.

   Pull the cross bar away from the drive cable mechanism retaining tabs on both sides until the cross bar just clears the drive cable mechanism retaining tabs and rotate the cross bar downward.
   

1. Disconnect the fabric pilot clips from the drive cable mechanisms on both sides.
   

   1. NOTE: The shield is under tension. Hold the cross bar when releasing the second fabric pilot clip to prevent the roller from pulling the fabric, clips and cross bar into the shield bracket assembly.

      Using a small flat bladed screwdriver, lift the tab off of the locking button and slide the clip rearward to release the fabric pilot clip from the drive cable mechanisms.
      
   2. Slide the fabric and pilot clips rearward until it is they are fully out of the track.
      

1. NOTE: Hold the cross bar so the roller does not pull the fabric and crossbar into the shield housing assembly.

   NOTE: Observe the pilot clip location. The seam in the fabric is aligned with the center/opening of the clip.

   Remove both fabric pilot clips from the outer edge seam pockets.
   

1. NOTE: A standard binder clip can be used to hold the shield cross bar to the edge of the shield housing to stabilize the shield while removing the shield assembly from the frame for disassembly.

   Remove the nuts and the shield and bracket assembly.
   

1. NOTE: This step is only necessary if installing a new roof opening panel shield.

   Release the button side of the shield from the shield housing.
   
   1. Press in the retaining ball.
      

   2. NOTE: Lift only enough to fully release the shield from the shield housing.

      Lift the retaining ball side of the shield from the shield housing.
      

1. NOTE: This step is only necessary if installing a new roof opening panel shield.

   NOTE: Perform steps 1 and 2 together. Do not allow the shaft to pull out of the shield housing until fully removing the shield in substep 3.

   Remove the shield from the shield housing.
   
   1. Hold the shaft in the shield housing.
      

   2. NOTE: The shield/shaft tension locking action can be felt while performing steps 1 and 2.

      Gently twist and pull the shield until the internal shield/shaft tension lock clicks into position.
      
   3. Remove the shield from the shield housing.
      
   4. Make sure the felt washers are removed with the shield.
      

Installation

1. NOTE: This step is only necessary if installing a new roof opening panel shield.

   NOTE: A new shield is pretensioned.

   Before installing the shield into the shield housing.
   
   1. Roll the shield fabric tight on the roller.
      

   2. NOTE: After inserting the slotted end of the shield into the shield housing, carefully rotate and push the shield toward the slotted end (the slotted housing will keep the shaft from turning) until the tension releases, then do not allow the shield to unwind on the shaft while installing the shield assembly into the vehicle.

      To keep proper internal shield/shaft tension, remove the protective cover from the shaft end of the shield just before installing in the shield housing.
      

1. NOTE: This step is only necessary if installing a new roof opening panel shield.

   
   Install the shield into the shield housing.
   
   1. Install the felt washers on the ends of the shield.
   2. Position the end of the shaft in the housing and push inward.
   3. Place the opposite end of the shield into the housing. Make sure the retaining ball is seated in the housing.

1. NOTE: A standard binder clip can be used to hold the shield cross bar to the edge of the shield housing to stabilize the shield while installing the shield assembly.

   Position the shield and bracket assembly. Install the nuts.
   Torque: 31 lb.in (3.5 Nm)

1. NOTE: RH side shown on inset, LH side similar.

   NOTE: Observe the pilot clip location. The seam in the fabric should be aligned with the center/opening of the clip.

   On both sides with using an assistant.
   Insert the 2 fabric pilot clips into the pockets located at the outer edge of the fabric.
   

1. On both sides using an assistant.
   Insert the fabric guide clips and fabric in to the tracks.
   

1. NOTE: The shield is under tension. Hold the cross bar while engaging the pilot clips to prevent the roller from pulling the fabric, clips and cross bar back into the shield bracket assembly.

   • Pull the shield forward until the fabric pilot clips make contact with drive cable mechanisms.
     
   • Using a small flat-bladed screwdriver, spread the clip and then Slide the fabric and pilot clips forward and attach the pilot clips to the drive cable mechanisms. Make sure the clips fully seated.
     

1. NOTE: LH side shown on inset, RH side similar.

   
   On both sides and at the same time, attach the cross bar to the drive cable mechanisms.
   

   1. NOTE: This step requires some stretching of the fabric.

      Pull the cross bar away from the drive cable mechanism retaining tabs on both sides until the cross bar aligns with the drive cable mechanism retaining tabs.
      
   2. Rotate the cross bar upwards and attach the cross bar to the drive cable mechanisms retaining tabs.
      

1. Install the headliner.
   Refer to: Headliner (501-05 Interior Trim and Ornamentation, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Install the roof opening panel glass.
   Refer to: Roof Opening Panel Glass (501-17 Roof Opening Panel, Removal and Installation).