sean 300D,

Getting the liner off should consist of prying the front edge of the liner down to release some spring clips that hold it in place. The rest of the liner should be loose, but it is bigger (wider) than the openning in the inside of the car. You can push the liner back into the place it normally goes when the sunroof is openned and then you can fiddle with the connection from the cable. If you need to get the liner out, and you cannot open the roof, you have to force it by bowing the center down until the edges release. If you are careful you can do this so it does not damage the liner.

Put the liner back in only after you get the roof open. With the roof open you will see the liner is smaller (narrower) than the openning in the steel roof, so it goes right in. If you can open the roof, which may be possible if you disconnect the cable entirely, and then manually push the cross beam back so the roof drops into the retract position, and then you can slide it back by just pushing it.

Once again, I caution that this is data from cars other than the one you have. Good Luck, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)