Hi,

I figured that I might get some reply here...

I need to replace the sunroof cable and I have read members saying that it's really easy. Has anyone really done it for the W123 Coupe though?

I am thinking that procedure is really as 'easy' as:

1. Use some sort of thin screwdriver and pop the sunroof liner open? I can't open my sunroof at all though... do I even have to?

2. unscrew a nut that holds the sunroof cable.
3. Pull the cable out from the trunk
4. Lube the new one and feed it back through the cable tube
5. Feed the cable into the motor and run the motor
6. Adjust it and put everything back together.

Is that really it?

I also have some questions while at it.

Hopefully some techs could help me out...

please see my thread..
What are these misc. things in the trunk? ..and.. some sunroof motor Q?s


Thank you all
-Holson-

Happy New Year!

__________________
2008 BMW 335i Coupe

anybody?

Yes, I would liked to understand this better myself.

__________________
'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

trying to do this job for myself now, however, the cable has a " solid rod" part. so it needs to be fed from the sunroof down to the motor

The cable cannot be pulled out from the motor end. It has spiral teeth that engage with a nylon gear in the motor and there is a clip at the roof end that needs to be pulled out.

You must open the sunroof about 1/3 of the way. Unclip and pull the sunroof headliner out of the opening. Remove the small c-clip from the roof end of the cable. DO NOT LOSE THIS CLIP. Very hard to find. The cable has to come out through the open sunroof. If you cannot run the motor, hand crank it from the motor end.

Pad the sunroof opening with a towel. It will get greasy (one reason to not eject the cable into the interior).

The cable will pull completely out when fully cranked out of the inner housing.

Despite those that denigrate him, our old Benz expert at Mercedes Source Dot Com has an excellent sunroof service kit and manual for sale. Worth the price if this is your first time on this job.

Yes, I too have a coupe and have done this several times.

I have the cable removed, and trying to put the new cable in.

the end that is spiral if fed through first from the sunroof end, however, it only feeds down 2 feet before there's some kind of blockage ?



it feels like kinking/stopping/blockage when it's trying to turn a bit to head towards the left side of the car to go towards the left rear window and then down to the motor it won't slip around the bend.

The stoppage is either a mismatched or kinked guide tube. The cable feeds into a tube attached to the underside of the sunroof. That tube slides over (or into, I forget which) a second, fixed tube attached to the inner fixed roof.

When you get your sunroof headliner out you can squint up into that area with a flashlight and clearly see the arrangement. Be careful with the fixed tube. If it gets bent, the process to replace it is really painful.

My tube isn't kinked from what i can visibly tell. Only way would be to take the whole headliner out >.< which if i remember right entails removing the rear glass.

The part i'm trying to feed down ( new cable from sedan/saloon 4 door) is only the metal worm-drive screw end to go down to the motor. Something is either not wanting to bend a little to go around a corner within the first bit , or a kink i cannot see.

Here is a few pics, including the old cable and where it's broken.

Attached Thumbnails

     

Feed the cable down until it stops then run the motor to see if it pulls the cable in. The cable normally feeds into the motor housing until it engages with the big nylon gear in the motor drive unit.

If the cable is not getting far enough to engage, pull the inner trunk liner to see what is going on. The guide tube inside the wheel well has to be clipped to the motor. If that clip is off (or lost) the cable will not feed into the motor properly. In a pinch, I have replaced a lost clip with a tywrap until the proper clip could be found.

The output end of the motor also feeds the cable into another housing to keep it straight and clean. Pull the fender lining if you haven't already. It will be worth doing for the education if nothing else.

Good Luck and PLEASE come back with your experience when the repair is finished. It helps us all.