Changing panoramic roof drain pipes on VW Tiguan, AUDI Q5...

One of the most common problems I’ve had to deal with is leaks due to wear and tear in the drainage pipes on the panoramic sunroof.
They’re made up of a pipe section and a sleeve, and both tend to come apart with wear and tear.
Let’s take a look at how to change the drain pipes.

PRECAUTION – SAFETY

I accept no responsibility for personal injury or damage to your vehicle, so please take the necessary precautions and check that nothing has been broken or damaged. If this is the case, please change what has been damaged before reassembling.
Check the electrical cables, some of which are used to power the airbags, so don’t mess around with the safety devices.

TOOLS

Wrench/screwdriver or Torx bit T15 T20 T25
10″ wrench or bit (depending on model)
Large flathead screwdriver
Plastic disassembly tools to prevent scratches on your car’s interior. Failing that, an old loyalty card, a guitar metronome etc…
Set of hexagonal wrenches or bits
Pipes ( example for Tiguan ref: 5N0 877 231 and 5N0 877 233 )

Rear sunroof exhaust hose – VW Tiguan | Audi Q5 – 5N0 877 233 ( adaptable )

26.00€

Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 1 customer rating

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Front sunroof exhaust hose – VW Tiguan | Audi Q5 – 5N0 877 231 ( adaptable )

26.00€

Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 3 customer ratings

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TIME TO CHANGE DRAIN PIPES

APPROXIMATELY 3H

Please note: there may be some differences, for example in the way the uprights are removed, depending on the model and vehicle below:

VW SHARAN, TOURAN, JETTA, GOLF VARIANT, TIGUAN, AUDI Q5, SKODA YETI

1 – Open sunroof in “maintenance” position

Open the TOP to maximum and turn the knob further beyond this maximum. <<<click here for handling>>>
The aim is to gain access to the screws seen in the maintenance position.

Maintenance position | Change panoramic roof drain pipes — Maintenance position

2 – Open the blinds to the maximum

Open the blind to maximum by pressing the “open” button on the rotary knob.

4 – Disconnect the battery

safety

5 – Remove ceiling light and plastic covers

Rotary control knob | Change panoramic roof drain pipes — Rotary control knob

Remove the cover and unscrew the screws.

6 – Remove front left / right side upright

Left front pillar | Changing panoramic roof drain pipes — Left front upright

Remove the AIRBAG symbol using the thinnest possible plastic tools. Lever it by applying pressure to the shapes (see arrows).
Do the same for the right.

7 – Remove left/right center upright

| Change of panoramic roof drain pipes — sdr

Start by removing the AIRBAG symbol in the same way as you removed the fixing screw (set the belt adjuster high enough, but not too high, to allow access with the torx screwdriver).
The upright must be disengaged from the housings at the bottom so that it can be moved downwards (try not to pull out the plastic part that adjusts the height of the belt).
Do the same for law.

8 – Removing the profile around the canopy

There are about twenty staples to unclip by levering with a plastic disassembly tool (or you can use a credit card or a metronome).

9 – Remove sunshade

Open the small covers with an extra-thin plastic tool or a precision screwdriver, but with care, and an extra-thin guitar metronome can do the trick.
Be careful with the sunshield, as it is still held by its cables, and the plug must be removed so that it is finally free.

10 – Remove rear hatch cover (trunk)

Rearview mirror | Changing panoramic roof drain pipes — Removing the mirror

Open the tailgate and pull down the rear cover with a sharp tug.

11 – Remove rear cover (trunk)

Rear trunk lid | Changing panoramic roof drain pipes — Rear boot cover

Remove the plastic plungers using a special tool such as T10236 or pliers on either side of the plastic part.
Then release the plastic part from the metal hoops and pull it upwards.

12 – Remove side covers (trunk)

Plan the fixing screws on the side of the trunk

13 – Remove upper side cover (trunk)

Trunk side covers | Changing panoramic roof drain pipes — Trunk side covers

Remove the trim piece by pulling downwards, then pulling along arrows A and B.

14 – Fold down the rear bench seat, move the seats to the maximum forward position and lower the seats.

13 – Disconnect sunroof control plugs

Remove rotary control | Change panoramic roof drain pipes — Remove rotary control

14 – Remove plastic headliner retainers

Plastic retainer for pre-moulded headliner | Change of panoramic roof drain pipes — Pre-moulded plastic headliner retainer

Remove the screws holding the plastic part in place.

15 – Remove handles

Tiguan handle | Changing the panoramic roof drain pipes — Tiguan handle

take the handle as if you wanted to grab it remove the 2 torx screws Note: on Q5, these are plastic parts to be removed.

Handle Q5 | Changing panoramic roof drain pipes — Q5 handle

16 – Check that nothing is holding back the canopy

Light, dome light, then remove the molded headliner by moving it forward to disengage it from the rear pillars, then remove the molded headliner from the rear.
You don’t have to take it out, but it’s more practical for maximum space.

17 – Remove used drainpipes

Water drain pipes | Changing the panoramic roof drain pipes — Water drain pipes

Just shoot it.

18 – Changing used drainpipes

Take care to fit the sleeves securely into the wheel arches, dismantling the wheel arches if necessary.
Use the metal bases to route the drainpipe to prevent the pipe from kinking and the water from running off (or less).

19 – Test by pouring water down the drainpipes

20 – Reassemble parts in reverse order

21 You can download the PDF “Changing panoramic sunroof drain pipes” below, free of charge.

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