Hi all,

I've got a 2005 convertible, one side won't unlatch (sunroof works fine). Dealer said the cables stretched, and I need an entire new everything-they-could-think-of-that-day.

Before I start digging around inside it with my bentley manual, does anyone have any tips/guides?

Thanks!

 

Sounds like what happened today to my 2005 too...right side is not unlatching. I will try to find some parts to oil. Please post how you get yours fixed.

 

Check out this thread on the front latches which are moved by the sunroof position siding back on the cable set. Inspect the front latches and the cables. If the cables break on one side the sunroof only pulls back on one side. If its the latches them self and not the cables set, then the sunroof goes back all the way even and the latch does not dis-engage. There is pics in the thread of how the top looks and hardware.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...o-go-down.html





#14 Cables set with those front sliders. Part # 54347174761

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/54347174761/




&

#18 Convertible Top Front Linkage - Pair " Front latches " Part # 54347174763

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/54347174763/




Those parts above are only sold in pairs , a left and a right side. Those parts need to slide easily , check for broken and damaged parts.






Thanks

 

how do you even replace these. i’m in this predicament.

 

Check your thead, I posted YouTube videos to help you out

 

Yep^^ all linked above.

 

Hi All

Great site, I have just read quite a few threads on this forum but have not found my problem. I purchased a R52 Cooper S with the sunroof inoperative in the winter and have been waiting for the weather to improve before I attempted a repair.
When using the open button the motor span but no movement of the sunroof so I ordered a set of cables from a seller on eBay (used). My car is a 54 plate (2004) so my understanding is that they are slightly different from the later years with additional locking pins.
I followed the 4 part You Tube upload kindly put on by a member here, and got very stuck at moving the sunroof back to release the fabric hood. The mech seemed jammed (both cables had snapped).
I ended up drilling out the bolts which hold the locking mech in order to move the rail and they were very very stiff which is what I think caused both cables to snap. I installed the new cables & mech and they are incredibly hard to slide up and down the rails.
How easy should the mech slide as I do not want to damage the replacement cables, and would anyone know why both mechanisms are so tight. I have cleaned and greased them, I started cleaning them with 800 grit wet and dry which has helped a bit but they still require quite a bit of force to slide.
I am hoping that the replacement cables & mechanisms are correct as they came from a 2004 car.
Thanks in advance

 

If the cables are used, you have to make sure they are not stretched or damaged on the coil of the cord. I had one replaced new and its been fine ever since.

Early cables their is a design changed latch function, so make sure they match.

 

Thanks for reply
The tightness is not in the cables though, it's the mechanism sliding on the rails which is the problem. Once the mech is out the cables come out quite easily.

 

Thats because the rails that it slides in a damage/not greased or the used cables front dont have the little rubber buffers or are damaged/not greased. I would inspect the ones you got.

New ones, all you have to do if clean and grease/inspect the main rails it slides in. Other then that its a bad or striped out gear on the motor. Check those gears. Also check the winding on the cables as they can get ground in one place which then stops the sliding.

 

Once again, many thanks. I take it that the mechanism (the carriage which slides front to rear) are all the same dimensions for the R52's then ? I might end up purchasing a new set from you if I cannot get this to glide adequately. What type of tension is the sliding mechanism under, is it an easy push pull as it takes one hand to push whilst holding the frame to get leverage to move the mech, I am taking it that is much too tight ?
Regards
Glen

 

Yep, same, its the same tension that a sunroof cable would have on normal sunroof car.

 

Sorry for being foolish, when you say yep, is that to it being fairly tight or loose (I have no experience of any other sunroofs sorry)
Thanks again
Glen

 

Tight. no problem. Tension will be tight.

 

Thanks once again. I have ordered some sunroof grease and will try again at the weekend.
Regards
Glen

 

Welcome.