ML sunroof part. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

G-Benz · #1 07-06-2004, 01:43 PM

Heard a faint "snap" when I opened the moonroof on the ML one evening this weekend. It got hung up on the return trip (closing) so I left it alone for the next day.

Discovered a broken hold-down clip that affixes one end of the lever that allows the wind deflector to flap down and out of the way when the moonroof is closing. The other part of the lever rests on a pivot underneath the deflector.

There are two of these...one on each side of the moon roof.

It's a small part. Has anyone else experienced this and is it obtainable without having to do something like purchase the entire moonroof assembly?

G-Benz · #2 07-06-2004, 05:28 PM

Called dealership parts dept.

Was told the clip is not sold seperately, but is part of the wind deflector assembly...$70.

I don't think so...

I guess I'm going to have to "fab" something...

G-Benz · #3 08-06-2004, 03:55 PM

Got the assembly for $57 @ Caliber Motors...a bit cheaper than the dealer...

G-Benz · #4 08-15-2004, 06:05 AM

With the wife away visiting family and the daughter staying at a friend's house, it was a great opportunity to catch up the MBs.

I replaced a cylinder for the top latch on the 500SL, a relay on the 300E, and went to work on the sunroof assembly on the ML.

As noted, I had to buy the whole deflector assembly, which consists of the deflector and two metal levers (spring material) with the plastic clips already attached. One of the plastic clips broke on my original assembly, hence the (ridiculous) need to purchase the entire unit.

Instead of replacing the whole unit, I chose to replace one of the levers and attached clip...and save the other parts for future repair.

This is easier to do if you don't attach the lever to the deflector shaft first. As I mentioned earlier, the lever is spring tensioned, so you'd have to work against that through the install process. It's best to intall the fixed end to the sunroof track first, THEN go ahead and gently slide the other end onto the deflector.

The install of the plastic clip is tricky. There is a metal clip that holds the lever onto the sunroof track, and you have to get the lever to line up with the matching notch on the track and fasten the clip. Not much room above the metal clip and coaxing is best done with a flat tipped screwdriver.

A couple of failed tries had me searching for a metal clip that launched itself onto the garage floor.

Once that was done, I had a second issue which other owners may/may not encounter...installing the plastic end first left the unsprung end of the lever positioned above my accessory plexiglas wind deflector...so I had to unscrew one side of the plastic deflector and move it out of the way so that I could push down on the lever and slide it onto the the metal deflector shaft.

Total install time (including several iterations of garage floor searches for the metal clip): 30 minutes.

Toulon ML · #5 10-09-2004, 10:41 AM

I thought I was going to be cool while driving into Monaco last week and open the sunroof. After opening 4 - 5 inches, it started making a clicking noise and appeared stuck. I then tried to close the sunroof and it would only advance about 2 inches. After arriving at our event at the Palais Metropole the valets were really impressed by me standing on on my seat trying to wreste the sunroof shut. I could see that the right guide for the wind dam appeared to be off. I slide the guide into "place" and was able to shut the sunroof.

The next day I tried to trouble-shoot the sunroof, but it will now open only a few inches. I can see that a rod or guide appears to be jammed all the way forward.

Any advice on how I can unjam the sunroof and then trouble-shoot?

G-Benz · #6 10-11-2004, 10:11 AM

That "rod" ends for the black metal wind deflector (one on each side), fit into a slot further down the both tracks. Each fitting is a spring-loaded fit.

In your case (as in mine), probably only one side has failed. You can still get the rod out of the way in order to allow the sunroof to travel, but if it gets in the way as the sunroof is closing, then it will jam itself into the track...you will have to get a flat screwdriver and pry it out!

You may need someone to hit the sunroof switch to open and close as much as possible while you wrestle with the rod that is in the way...difficult to do with the sunroof closed since you have little access to the track area.

Good luck! And as I stated earlier, MB only sells the entire assembly, not just the broken rod piece...

Toulon ML · #7 10-21-2004, 05:28 PM

Thanks. I'll give it a try when I have time and the weather is nice. A little rainy in the south of France these days...