My sunroof moves at glacial speed - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Yumeko-chan · #1 01-04-2012, 09:37 PM

So tonight I decided to play with my sunroof for the first time in, like, ever. It does open and close (it's January so I'm not about to test if it opens all the way just yet!), but it takes bloody forever to do so. Is that normal, or should I check the gear box or motor to see if they're still working properly?

RML · #2 01-04-2012, 09:52 PM

There is a special paste lubricant made for the metal rails. I would start there. I believe I got mine from the parts section of this forum. I am sure Phil can tell you if he has it in stock.

locry · #3 01-04-2012, 09:54 PM

Having just repaired and disassembled my sunroof... I'd say it's just dirty. OR something is bent...OR BEING BENT... due to DIRT and caked up grease.

If you want to test it i suggest lubing it up, you probably can't reach the rails with grease so I suggest carefully aiming a shot of penetrating lubricant along the rails deep in the channel. just to loosen things up temporarily. Once your happy of the operation consider studying sunroof removal and do it yourself. It's really not that hard... quite simple actually... just don't mess up the cable.

Which you do not have to deal with IF the issue is dirt.

good luck!

Yumeko-chan · #4 01-04-2012, 10:14 PM

Stupid question -- would WD40 work? Or should I get myself a can of Royal Purple?

engatwork · #5 01-04-2012, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Once your happy of the operation consider studying sunroof removal and do it yourself.

Thanks Locry.

Can you provide an outline on the procedure? I guess the headliner and pillar covers all come out? Does the sunroof mechanicals just unbolt from the ceiling of the car? How hard to replace headliner?

locry · #6 01-05-2012, 02:16 AM

This is how I remember doing it... this is for a w124...

The pillars come out first, mine are loose so I don't know the proper procedure for this.

Then the "Headliner" that holds the sunvisors, interior light and rear view mirror. The mirror just yanks out... the rest are pretty obvious... oh yeah, the interior light has a trick to it... push the entire assembly towards the passenger side to dislodge it... I used the sunroof switch indent as a thumb-hold... you also have to remove that metal trim with 6(?) small screws... then the headliner just falls off, you might want to support the headliner to prevent that trim piece from bending (precaution)

You have to partially open the sunroof to remove the sunroof headliner, the leading edge just pries down, there are a few tabs (don't know the number)... just take it easy to prevent creasing the headliner board. when it's loose, you can slide it out THROUGH the sunroof opening from above. Some reported having to disconnect something at the back of the headliner but I didn't have to do that.

Once that is out you can pretty much see the entire mechanism. There are 6 bolts that need to be removed to separate the SUNROOF MECHANISM from the sliding "CARRIER" mechanism attached to the cable.
Oh yeah, you do not have to separate them just yet... you can remove the SUNROOF sheetmetal by unbolting 4 bolts, those bolts are the ones attached to the lifting mechanism. These can be easily identified. You DO NOT have to unbolt anything else... just those 4. Mark them before removing to aid in re-assembly.

When the sheetmetal is out you can now remove the "smooth chrome" pieces that cover the RAILS that hold the mechanism in place. Again they just lift right up, do not force anything. Take note: everything just falls into place... no forcing of anything required, that's why its so easy.

Once the "CHROME" pieces are removed you can now remove the Left and Right sliding mechanism... provided you unbolted them from the carrier.

Almost forgot... before removing the sliding bits, you first have to remove the DRIP RAIL thing... this one I had to manhandle a bit... it's plastic so it can take a little bit of "bend" but be careful though as yours could be brittle. I angled mine in such a way that one end goes to the back and one end to the front to be able to lift it rhough the sunroof opening. You'll know what to do when you get there.

Sorry no pics... GSXR has a lot of pics and better instructions.

locry · #7 01-05-2012, 02:21 AM

hehe, forgot... yup WD-40 would work just fine to loosen everything up

compress ignite · #8 01-05-2012, 04:05 AM

WD40 is a "Moisture Displacement Fluid"

WD40 is a High VOC Type Solvent.

WD40 IS NOT A LUBRICANT!

Your Sunroof "Slides" on little Felt Covered Rubber "Feet"
(The Felt Holds the Lubricant.)
[If you don't keep the Little "Feet" LUBED and the Sunroof Rails Clean,
The "Punishment" is RUINED "Little Felt Feet" AND Poor to No Sunroof performance!!!!]

Mercedes has made for it a Special Sunroof Grease that does not attract Dirt.

"Gleitpaste" #001 989 46 51

That's for a Can that would supply almost ALL the W124s in the Americas
AND it's about $160.00 USD.

Call Phil, they have smaller portions for less than $20.00

3 Oz. of that stuff will last you for years!

Photo credits (And Research) to GSXR.

Yumeko-chan · #9 01-05-2012, 09:44 AM

Those felt pads are for a 124, would they still work in my car (a 123)?

locry · #10 01-05-2012, 10:00 AM

it'll still work to loosen any caked stuff in there to at least get it to slide... its temporary, disassembly and complete re-lubing is the way to go

compress ignite · #11 01-05-2012, 01:01 PM

Yumeko-chan,

"Sliding Jaws" (Mercedes Speak for Little Rubber,Felt Covered Feet")
for the 240D are either 115 or 123 type parts numbers.

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Yumeko-chan · #12 01-06-2012, 12:02 PM

Ok, I tried WD40 on the parts of the rail the nozzle could reach. It helped tremendously, but the sunroof will only retract halfway before it slows almost to a stop. I didn't want to force it -- I also didn't want it to get stuck open! -- so I didn't go any further. I will probably have to take off the sunroof to do a thorough cleaning (the rails are definitely dirty). Dunno if I'll be able to do that anytime soon though, as I don't have a garage to work in.

locry · #13 01-06-2012, 01:21 PM

well if you can open it halfway then you can remove the sunroof headliner, which is what you want, in order to do the job.

As far as w124s are concerned.

The power of the motor/cable/carrier is strong enough to bend things out of shape in there, so go easy on the switch... last thing you'd want is a broken sliding mechanism...

do w123s have the tilt up feature?

Zacharias · #14 01-06-2012, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yumeko-chan

Ok, I tried WD40 on the parts of the rail the nozzle could reach. It helped tremendously, but the sunroof will only retract halfway before it slows almost to a stop. I didn't want to force it -- I also didn't want it to get stuck open!.

You should be able to reach up and gently help it along by pushing it forward until it closes.

If it's actually refusing to move any further forward, even with a nudge, then you may have something caught or broken in there somewhere... or an issue with the sunroof teleflex 'cable'.