I am getting ready to replace the gaskets in my sunroof and can't figure out how to get to all of them. I can see screws in the brush strips on the sides, I can see the front gasket, but I can't even see the rear gasket.

It's a manually-operated sunroof, if that matters. Has anybody here done this?

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

I believe the sunroof it self has to be removed to do that

Does it come out through the top of the opening or the underside? I'm just afraid of getting it halfway out and getting stuck . If that happens a huge rainstorm will suddenly appear out of nowhere . . . .

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

I have read enough about these to know that they can be a trap for the unwary.

For sure with the W126ers, the mechanism basically is plastic, tricky, weak, prone to failure, and also easily prone to breakage, expecially with the "pop-up" feature.

This is the thing I would put in the hands of an experienced and competent mechanic, such as John Hef or someone who is very familiar with these.

An amateur, well intentioned, but inexperienced DIYer can easily turn one of these into a $1,000 (or more!) mistake.

__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

I have done this on my 280E. Since your roof is manual, you're in luck - although the electric isn't too difficult either. First, slide the roof about 3/4 of the way back. Then remove the handle followed by the liner, which is connected with snaps. A wooden wedge will work for this. Then pull the liner toward the front and remove it upward. Next, disconnect the sliding feet from under the roof. It's been a while so I can remember if you need to remove the top of the L/R rails or not. In any case, this is the last step. Once you have the liner off, it's straight forward. Just be careful when removing the handle. The pin that holds it in place is easy to lose.

Then lift the sliding roof out through the top of the car.

That doesn't sound too hard. Thanks, EZ. As soon as my other gaskets get here, I'm going to tackle it.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Dee8go,

The 123 service manual CD from MBUSA Classic ($20) has the instructions for removing the sunroof. That's the only way to get to the rear seal. After replacing all the seals on my wagon, I'd say that the sunroof seals were the most difficult to replace. Only because the new seals were really tough to get into the slots for them and I didn't remove the air dam at the front. Once the seals were in, my sunroof didn't close all the way anymore. I had to follow the instructions for adjusting it and it is fine now. Where did you get the felt strips for the sides? Mine were fine but I may want to replace them in the future.

PS: if the plastic trim cup under your sunroof handle is beat, you can get a new one from the dealer for $12. You could get some sunroof paste and lube the tracks while the roof is out.

__________________
Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

Well, I got the roof out, replaced the two felt strips on the sides, the front and rear gaskets, and put it all back together. Unfortunately, now it won't close all the way. I can't see anything that is obviously preventing it, but it lacks about 1/2" of fully closing.

Any suggestions?

BTW, Chad, I got the felt strips and front and rear gaskets from Phil.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

If the headliner piece is still out, slide the roof slowly and watch all moving parts and the tracks to make sure nothing is sticking or binding.

__________________


1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

I took the two rear track guides (?) off to get the top out. When I put them back in, it opcurred to me that I may not have put those back in correctly. I can't see any moving parts other than the top itself.

Where would I find the chassis and engine numbers on this car? I was thinking about buying the maintenance manual for it, but MBUSA's website asks for that info and I didn't know where to get that. I presume it's stamped insode the car somewhere.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Both chassis & vin numbers are on the the ID plate. On US market cars, it's on the driver's door jamb plus the left winshield post, readable from outside. On Euro market cars, it's on the cross-member in front of the radiator. I can't say where your engine number is, but I would guess it's similar to my 110 engine's location, which is the left side of the head and forward. (There's probably one on the block as well).

If your feet are mounted correctly, then check the back seal. Since it's mounted on the sliding roof, it may be catching on something possibly due to being a little long or wide.

Thanks. I'm going to order the service manual, but I'll check these things you all have suggested as soon as I get a chance.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Dee8go, I was looking at my sliding roof today and thinking about your problem. It seems possible that the wind deflector may not be closing completely, which would in turn restrict closing of the sliding roof of the 1/2" that you have mentioned. If this is the case, the reason would probably be the levers to the deflector over which the roof slides upon closing are not connected. Give it a try.

Tom I can get your engine # text me your VIN tomorrow. I say text because MBshop is now BLOCKED at euro! bastards! I'll be home saturday and sunday this weekend if you want me to take a look at it if you haven't got it closed by then.

__________________


1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350