1999 ML320 headliner removal.....Water Leak

[BigRed0803]

1999 ML 320, I am trying to drop the headliner to find where I have a water leak from the sunroof region. I have it lowered pretty good but I need to remove the grab handle that is over the passenger door, I removed the covers on each side of the handle but only see a clip on each side. I popped each clip back but that doesn't do anything, there has to be some screws somewhere to hold that handle on? If anyone knows how to remove that grab handle all help would be appreciated.

[Gilly]

I think you almost have it. It is only clipped in on the earlier cars. Later I think they used a screw that sort of jammed the clip into the latched position.
Anyways, you pop that clip, then the other side of that clip is also hooked on the chassis sheetmetal under the headliner, so you sort of unclip it by "sliding" the whole handle assembly, either up or down, I forget which side is which now. But yeah step one is to unclip the one side with a screwdriver, then move the whole handle to get the handle completely loose, then pull out the handle. Helps to slide and pull at the same time, you'll need to do one side at a time.
Gilly

[oldsinner111]

My 99 S 320 was leaking,one I lubed all rubbers in sunroof with vasaline.Cheched drains. It stopped the leaks.

[jonathanml320]

I have a 2000 ML320, TONS of sunroof problems from day one. It rattles like crazy, especially every time you hit a bump.

Recently, at high preassure car wash, water started leaking in and dripping out of the overhead light/sunroof switch area. I have read a lot of posts about the drain tubes, but they all seem to leak in the floor, mine doesn't

any advice? Thanks!

[Sinbad]

Originally Posted by jonathanml320

I have a 2000 ML320, TONS of sunroof problems from day one. It rattles like crazy, especially every time you hit a bump.

Recently, at high preassure car wash, water started leaking in and dripping out of the overhead light/sunroof switch area. I have read a lot of posts about the drain tubes, but they all seem to leak in the floor, mine doesn't

any advice? Thanks!

Very late response, I know, but I just had the same problem.
Seems there's a joint in the rain tray near the front pipes. It's sealed with sikaflex or similar (at least in mine it was). The entries to the pipes were gunked up, and water was building up and then leaking through this join into the headliner.

I cleaned them out and siliconed them, seems watertight again