ML skyview stuck - disassembly help?

[hpinfo]

My ML430 Skyview roof is stuck about 6" back, just inside of the wind deflector (luckily!) I've read several posts about the 'sliders' breaking and that looks like the problem as (with the motors removed) the passenger side moves forward and back fine but the drivers side is pretty much stuck solid.

My question is, what is the disassembly procedure? Will all be answered if I pull the interior vinyl covering of the roof? Can this be done without a trip to the upholstery shop to reinstall the vinyl? Are there any 'tricks' to the process to make it easier? (it seems there usually are for every project) Any help would be greatly appreciated.