I've just spent several hours browsing this and other sites looking for a DIY on replacing the sunroof cable and guide. I've seen a lot on the sunroof R&R but nothing on the cable and guide....other than "it can't be that difficult" or "I'd rather rebuild an automatic transmission" comments.

If anyone knows of a DIY thread (with pics, if possible) or if an MBZ CD or a Haynes or Chilton's covers it, I would be mighty appreciative.

Thanks in advance.

Refer to MBZ CD main function group 77

If it's just the cable you need to replace, it should be pretty straightforward. Pull the headliner off the sunroof, unbolt the cable from the cross-brace, run the sunroof motor all the way forward until the cable stops coming out, then pull it the rest of the way.

Installation is basically the reverse (lube the cable if it didn't come that way already). Push the cable in (you should hit a little bit of resistance two or three times, where the cable housing bends) until it stops, then run the motor while back while pushing on the cable (to make sure it engages) until the bracket lines up with the sunroof cross brace, then bolt it back in. I can't remember if you need to retime the motor after this.

If you have to remove the cable guide housing, that is a completely different story.

Yes, unfortunately, it's the completely different story that I'm needing. Thanks for the info you did provide.

Upon further investigation, it may or may not be a completely different story.

I thought the body shop guy had pulled the guide as well as the cable, but it's still there.

I noticed that the cable guide was "open" on the top. I had understood the body shop guy saying that it was bad. Is the guide supposed to be completely circular or is there a slot in it?

And further, rather than pulling all the interior to replace the guide, does anyone know if one could securely attach a new guide to the old guide, could it be pulled through?

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'87 300E - 140K

Yes there is a slot in the top of the guide tube. No you cannot pull a new guide tube using the old one. Replacing the guide tube is a major PITA. Why do you need to replace it ?. Its just a tube. Not much can go wrong wit it.

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I got too many cars!! Insurance eats me alive. Dave

78 Corvette Stingray - 3k
82 242 Turbo Volvo - Manual - 270k
86 300e 5 speed manual - 210k
87 420sel - 240k
89 560sl - 78k
91 420sel - 205k
91 560sel - 85k
94 GMC Suburban - 90k
97 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail - 25k
00 GMC Silverado 1 ton 30k

LOL, that's just it....I DON'T want to replace it. The MBZ sunroof expert at the upholstery shop (recommended by my MBZ shop) said it was needed. The sunroof slides forward and backwards properly, but doesn't raise in the rear to provide an air-tight, water-tight (I guess I should say semi-water-tight) seal.

Do you think it might be one of those "He saw me coming!" kinda deals? Can the condition of the guide cause a problem with the final sunroof action to close it to a seal?

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'87 300E - 140K

Have you taken the headliner off? Could be a problem with broken lifting angles, or something as simple as just needing to be lubricated. If the cable moves smoothly in the guide (i.e. the roof moves forward and back), it's probably not the cable housing.

The cable was definitely crimped(? bent, anyway) and it is out. Neither of the guys that looked at it saw anything wrong with the mechanism. I'll check it again. Maybe all I need to do is put in a new cable. Heck of a lot better than the $800 they want to replace the cable AND guide.

Thanks very much guys!!

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'87 300E - 140K

Although is has been posted and recommended many times before, use the Mercedes grease.

Haasman

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

Yes! With what I've heard & read about alternatives, it can't be mentioned or posted too many times.

Thank you.

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'87 300E - 140K