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Yes, The whole cable will need a little grease and on the pivots, the whole track will need cleaned while its out and regressed. They will bind if dirty. Had this happen.
The videos are amazing, thanks! I hope your getting money from youtube on those. If your ever out my way I'll take you out to dinner. I don't think I would have attempted it without the videos.
Also thanks to ECS who had the best price and fast shipping on the cables. I did not JB weld mine because it was the carriage that broke not the cable pulling out.
Hey there- I read through the above and before I take big steps, Id like to put this question out there...
My sunroof goes right back.
The latches release, but then to top lifts but it is clearly struggling to lift.
I push up on the driver side arm about 6" and from there it just goes back as normal. Perhaps a little slower not sure, but it goes back.. It closes with no hesitation.. Is that an early indication that the motor is going or the cables, or something else... Ive looked everywhere, I don't suppose there is a hydraulic reservoir that needs filling? ( a girl can dream) Thank you in advance of any help
Ps- Topless is the only way to live! I live on an island so my top is down every time I drive! Ok maybe 10 days a year I leave it up!!!
Check the rails for crud and dirt jamming the sliders. If the cables break. when you open it , one side will start and the other will jam. Take those inter trim plastic off to expose whats going on. Top and on the inside. #9 and #10.
Since it opens correctly , but will not close. Check the black sliders( front part of the cables, and the rail itself. Clean them and grease them .
Hello everyone,
ECSTuning mentioned that you must remove the "inter trim plastic" to expose whats going on. How can those pieces be removed? I noticed there is a hex bolt holding one side of the plastic on. But after removing the bolt, the plastic still seems held in place.
Any help would be appreciated!
Those are the ones that go on the sides. There is a little torx screw towards the front then it slides clips into the back. Tabs on the long part of the side snap it and in as well as the rear:
Ok, do that to both sides.
Now for the top section trim.
Part # 54347154505 and 54347154506
The screw is exposed when you remove those first inner trims. You can see it also on the outside. Remove that front screw.
Now on the underside going up towards the rear there is a screw that connects about 3/4th the way back and you have to reach up into the track and unscrew it. Now that trim comes out and exposes the whole track system. Do the passenger side the same and you are done.
Great video! However, I too am having the exact same issue as quoted above. I was able to unlock one of the locking mechanisms but am unable to unlock the other. I cannot seem to locate the black "tab" on the locking mechanism, but I am unsure how that could have disappeared in the first place if that's the case.
Also, it appears the second locking mechanism that I cannot open broke into two large parts. They are still both fitted on the track and still form a whole unit completely similar to the other mechanism that was able to be unlocked. How likely is it that this is the cause of it not moving?
Hi Rubalemar, Did you ever figure out how to release the sunroof lock mechanism when the "tab" mechanism inside the track is broken? I have the same issue at the moment. See this thread.
great article I have to tackle mine now. It looks like my left side locking mechanism broke cause its not securely hold the left side closed against the window frame.
Yep, I am here to help If you ever need anything and I don't see it, always welcome to shoot me an email. My R52 is still going strong at almost 278K miles now.
The latch on my mini broke and ruined the entire arm so that the latch would not slide. I have removed the arm but can't remove the cable. i have tried everything. Any suggestions.
after having my sun roof disassembled for several months, a friend came over removed 3 screws from the motor. Access from inside the car, Removed the motor and the cable slide right out! We reassembled everything . Is slides back but now does not open. I needed the entire arm assembly. Hey he cable bracket had jammed into the slide.
Has anyone replaced these cables and happen to have their old cables still around? I need a small plastic slide off the drivers side cable that helps guide the roof. Please contact me if you have the used parts still available.
Hi,
The sunroof mechanism on ny cabriolet broke on one side. I followed the excellent video instructions and have removed the broken mechanism and cable.
Unfortunately the new cable and mechanism cannot be pushed in far enough, it gets to about 1/4" from being able to engage the mechanism with the guide track,
