When closing the sunroof on my '86 230E, I need a second person to hold the switch while I struggle pushing on the panel the last five inches to get it to shut. The motor works fine otherwise. I managed to remove the metal panel from the car and I then disconnected the cable from the frame. When I try the switch now, the cable still bogs down about five inches from the closed position and I can hear the motor straining as it does.

I assume I need to replace the cable. The labor manual calls for less than an hour and about $40 for the cable which sounds like quite a simple job.

I was pulling on the cable trying to get it out when the inner wire separated from the spiral wire casing. The cable won't budge either way. I can't remove the motor from the cable tube since part of the cable casing must still be lodged in there.

Any suggestions on pushing out the cable by maybe shoving a coat hanger up from the motor end? It seems to be stuck tight. If I have to, how hard is it to replace the cable tube? The labor manual calls for over 6 hours! AARGH!!!!!!

You are in a bind now...

I have removed the motor by taking loose the cover and gear then sliding it out. You may be able, then to cut the bind out of the cable and slide it out.

Replacing the tube is a HARD job!

__________________
Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 11 YRS

OK, I was able to get the motor unit out of the way, now which end do I pull the cable out of. I've been pulling from both ends and the cable only comes out about 8 inches before something holds it up. I also stuck the ends into a drill to maybe spin it out easier. I guess I can try pulling harder to get past the obstruction but I worry about damaging or dislocating the cable tube!