If you properly maintain your Nissan Maxima's sun roof, you can enjoy the open air in good weather and eliminate the leaks and squeaks. It's generally recommended that you clean and inspect your rubber seals at least twice a year.
Remove the interior trim work and the headliner inside your Nissan Maxima so you can fully access the sun roof.
Unfasten the screws and bolts that hold the sun roof to the body of your Nissan Maxima. Unplug the sun roof from its power source, located behind the sun roof.
Push the sun roof up and off of the body of the Nissan Maxima. Get someone to help you so you don't damage the sun roof or the car.
Pull the old rubber seal off of the Maxima and scrape away any rubber or adhesive that remains inside its trench. Check for rust in the channel. If you find any, paint the channel with Rustoleum to prevent further corrosion.
Situate the new rubber seal in the trench, working with the outer lip and then moving to the inner lip. Once the seal is in the trench, look for wrinkling or bulging. At those spots, lift the seal out of the trench and reinstall it. You want the seal to be even and smooth inside the trench.
Replace the sun roof and secure it to the car using the screws and bolts you removed earlier. Stop often to make sure the roof stays level. Plug in the power source. Return the headliner and the plastic trim pieces to their positions to complete your repair.
Inspect the sun roof of your Nissan Maxima to make sure it's seated evenly on your vehicle, not raising or lifting at one corner. Lifting indicates the presence of debris on the tracks, or a damaged seal around the sun roof.
Remove the trim on the interior of your Nissan Maxima and allow the interior material to drop. Use compressed air to blow dust and debris from the tracks that move your sun roof. Lubricate them using 3-In-One or the lubricant recommended by your owner's manual.
Check the sun roof's for drain tubes for clogging. Clear the tubes using compressed air and replace them so they can continue to drain excess water away from your sun roof.
Clean the sun roof's rubber seal with a clean, damp, lint-free cloth. Pay attention to the condition of this seal. If the seal shows signs of damage, replace it to prevent leaking from becoming an issue.
