Sunroof disassembly and repair

[DarkStar]

Any ideas on the best and safe way to remove headliner on sunroof?

 

[nocfn]

Re: Recovering C pillars

Do you mean removing it from the sliding panel?

 

[gsxr]

Re: Recovering C pillars

Sunroof panel uses four snap-in plastic connectors at the front. Assorted pics here:
http://www.w124performance.com/images/W124_sunroof/

 

[DarkStar]

Re: Recovering C pillars

Thanks GSXR! I saw that diagram on your site ( I refer to it as JarvisW124). Do I pull down to free it? Do they break easily?
Can they be replaced or do I have to buy a whole new sunroof?

Ok things just got weird. Sunroof opened just fine the other day, this morning it will only open 100 mm then makes a metallic clunk. Guess this project just got really big

 

[gsxr]

Re: Recovering C pillars

I'd slide something in between so you are prying apart right at each plastic clip. The clips may break, if so, replace them before re-installing. You should not have to buy a whole new sunroof liner/panel unless you REALLY bugger something up. Should be cheap at Pick+Pull if you need one. Speaking of which, practice the job at a junkyard first if possible.

Side note - since it opens part way then stops: Is this on a 500E? Lift arm breakage is rare since MB upgraded the parts in late 1987. Wonder if you have something else going on.

 

[DarkStar]

Re: Recovering C pillars

After fiddling a bit it opened! I popped the liner off and pulled it up thru the opening! Thanks Dave!

 

[DarkStar]

Re: Recovering C pillars

I spent the last 30 minutes cleaning and inspecting the rails and slides.
Seem to be missing a few pads and found one that was floating on the liner but looks really small compared to the other pads.

 

[DarkStar]

Re: Recovering C pillars

Recognize this? Found it at front corner of the passenger side sunroof opening under the rail

 

[DarkStar]

Re: Recovering C pillars

whats with the spring?

Should I lube this tube well before installing?

 

[DarkStar]

Re: Recovering C pillars

I have to say the liner is pretty complex. Not what I was expecting! Not simple to recover with another cloth.

 

[DarkStar]

Re: Recovering C pillars

I'd like to find that myself! Even better if it's an (affordable) MB item.

Sunroof panel uses four snap-in plastic connectors at the front. Assorted pics here:
http://www.w124performance.com/images/W124_sunroof/

Thanks Dave! Based on these pix of the arms I may have lost a forward pad (small)
My existing pads are really shot, cracked...
Do I have to remove the arms to replace the pads? Some appear to be accessible but others don't

 

[gsxr]

Re: Recovering C pillars

I spent the last 30 minutes cleaning and inspecting the rails and slides.
Seem to be missing a few pads and found one that was floating on the liner but looks really small compared to the other pads.

One of the pads is indeed much smaller. If you poke around the photos on my site, you should be able to figure out where it goes. Full assortment shown below:

 

[DarkStar]

Pricey buggers! Just looked them up on
Parts.com the 1247820030 was not found but others were.

Do I have to pull the whole sunroof ? Or can I just remove the top skin?

 

[nocfn]

^^^^ about 14.75 ea at MB Gainesville. You don't really have to pull the whole roof down, but shove some gleitpaste in a big syringe, the curved type and you can do a lot of lube if you remove the panel and chrome plates to clean. Not a bad idea to use a few layers of painters tape around the opening of the sunroof while taking it on and off. I use the 2" wide stuff and lay down 4" x 2 just in case.

 

[gsxr]

Pricey buggers! Just looked them up on
Parts.com the 1247820030 was not found but others were.

Do I have to pull the whole sunroof ? Or can I just remove the top skin?

FYI - Parts.com website is missing a BUNCH of parts since they divorced from MB Naperville. Hope Gerry doesn't mind me quoting him from last week: "Parts.com has not been correct with part numbers every since they redesigned their web site about 1.5-2 years ago. They moved off their old parts catalog system and honestly, my searches have resulted in 35-40% of part numbers I’ve entered as not being present. They are totally not worth bothering with." Don't know what happened, but despite the low prices, if you can't buy 1/3 of what you need... not a recommended vendor anymore.

Anyway - there is NO need to drop the entire sunroof frame inside the car (which would require pulling the headliner). However, to fully clean & lube, and replace the felts: you will need to remove the lifting arms on each side, which requires taking out the top metal roof panel. Look at my pictures, make sure you only loosen/remove the correct nuts... loosen the wrong ones and you have to re-align everything (NOT fun). It's a tedious job, I'd wait until you have the felt pieces and Gleitpaste in hand.

Still need to find out if something is broken that requires replacement - lift arm, or something funky with the cable/motor (doubtful, but you never know).

Disclaimer: It's been like 10 years since I've messed with a sunroof, and my memory is foggy. Add salt as required.

 

[DarkStar]

Do you also lube the fuzzy carpet like pieces? Mine seen dry.

 

[DarkStar]

I recently used mboemparts.com slightly higher cost but close enough. Will check there. Saw a complete kit on eBay but it was junk. Rubber slider pads were not covered with felt.

 

[gsxr]

Do you also lube the fuzzy carpet like pieces? Mine seen dry.

All the items in the photo in post #12 are fuzzy. Like velvet almost. Yep, those get Gleitpasted.

FSM procedure is here - and you don't need the funky Vise-Grip pliers shown:
http://www.w124-zone.com/downloads/MB CD/W124/w124CD1/Program/Maintenance/94_95/7730.pdf

Also see FSM job # 77-170, note step 6: "Grease... with [Gleitpaste], on sliding shoes and on moving parts."

 

[DarkStar]

Dissecting the rear sunroof panel

Interesting the way they swaged? The parts are very tight. I really wish I didn't have to tear all this apart. But I did not think there would be room to wrap the parts over the existing headliner material.

I also discovered the proper way to remove the center plastic channel.

 

[DarkStar]

I also found it interesting that the parts for the sunroof are currently used on the G wagon

 

[nocfn]

Yes!

The sunroof covering if comes off or sags can jam it up quick. That glue and foam backing will set an orange stain on your carpet so glad you removed it. Be sure that guide tube is well seated. Lastly if you can remove the cable to add some gleitpaste it would sure help. If not just run it all the way tilted and get the length visible.

 

[DarkStar]

Anyone recall how these are wrapped under the headliner cloth ? I think they sit under the stainless rails

 

[8899]

This thread might be eligible as a "How-To".

 

[garrison]

Timely thread ... that I've been watching closely ... the headliners on our 400E and the E320 are both sagging ... not really bad, yet ... I'll want to have a supply of parts that might break together with parts that should be replaced before getting that project underway ... both of our cars have original headliner / sunroof parts ... thanks, also, for the thread posted on the site about headliner replacement ... really good stuff ... and thanks to all who contributed ...

regards,

garrison karr
overland park, kansas
92 400E @ 248k
95 E320 @ 197k

 

[nocfn]

again take precautions. When you remove the headliner the orange dust is disintegrated foam and adhesive. It is like a wet clay, it stains anything it touches so be prepared with appropriate coverings on the seats and carpets. sucks on your hands and clothes too.