Had this problem too, on my 1997 w210
I found everything i needed to know within the links below.
Sliding roof ... repaired!
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/foru...sp?tid=1174576
History:
A few months back the sunroof on our 98 E300DT began to jam. It would tilt up/down and close properly. However it would only slide 1/2 way back before stopping and making ominous mechanical clanking. I managed to fix this.
MB fixed this problem later in the W210 lifecycle, and there is a replacement part: the entire sliding roof. Since it seems to be a common problem, I thought I would post a fix. If you are mechanically handy there is a permanent repair. Read on...
What is really wrong with it:
The panel is operated by twin coiled spring mechanisms which resemble 1/4" ropes. These springs are used to push and pull the sliding panel. To open the panel, the mechanism is *pushed* by the rope spring. Pushing on a rope is a bit difficult. To allow this to work, the spring rope is constrained within a very narrow plastic channel.
One portion of this channel is made by a 2"x1/2" plastic panel. The panel is only held in by a single screw on one end. After much use the panel comes loose and allows the rope spring to pop out of the channel. Then the roof stops and the rope snaps around uselessly. If you keep going it is likely kink and be ruined.
The fix:
Basically you will need to drill a hole for a screw that will fix the other end of the plastic panel.
To get to the panel you will have to remove the rubber bellows on both sides. First tilt up the glass. They are clipped in rather lightly. Just pull them towards the middle of the opening and they will pop out.
The panels are about 3/4 of the way back along each side. You may need to remove the moonroof itself (6x torx screws) to get a good shot at the panel. Do not try to move the motors w/o the moonroof screwed in place. Parts will break.
Before drilling and driving the screw, make sure that the panel is fully pressed into place. Otherwise you are just cementing the current problem into place. The new screw should be positioned symmetrically with the old one, just on the other end of the panel.
Good luck.
Edited by AlanMcR 5/19/2004 1:58 AM
http://forums.mbnz.org/forums/forums...s=7&hl=sunroof
First time sunroof problem..any experiences?
Today the sunroof on my 98 E430 failed to fully open. It only opened approximately 60% and stopped although the motor continued to run until I released the switch. There was a "clunk" sound that came from the rear area of the sunroof, but external visual inspection revealed nothing. The sunroof continues to open partially, but I don't plan to use it as it will probably fail in the open position just before the next rain/snow storm. Anyone had an experience like this or any advice?
Thanks,
Jim
RE: First time sunroof problem..any experiences?
Try looking at this old post of mine:
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/foru...sp?tid=1174576 It covers a common cause of the symptom you describe.
RE: First time sunroof problem..any experiences?
Mercedes part number is 210-784-04-56. This replaces the original plastic bracket. Its only a couple of dollars each and you need two.
I haven't seen the replacement bracket, but the real cause of the problem is that MB shaved a few cents off of the sunroof by putting only one screw into the bracket. There isn't a second hole in the sunroof frame to put a screw into. The trick is to put the second screw in just the right spot so that it holds the bracket w/o interfering w/ anything else. Perhaps the bracket comes with some sort of template?
Alan is correct...all it takes is another screw at the front end of the plastic piece. There is a tab at the top of the piece that allows another screw to be easily added while maintaining adequate clearances. It is an easy job to fix without a visit to the dealer for new parts. The procedure outlined in his post worked well for me to get the sunroof fixed...
Jim
RE: First time sunroof problem..any experiences?
My 98 E320 had the same problem. It wasn't covered under my Starmark warranty and the local Oklahoma City dealership quoted me a price of $1,200 to repair it. Took it to an independent MB shop and had it and some other minor work done for less than $160.
