Help please! The sunroof moves back a couple of inches and hangs up. It cannot be moved back (open) using the manual crank. The indipendent mechanic I went to told me to take it to the MB dealer, that the only way to fix it is to get a new sunroof... I would like to open it up and take a look see... How do I access the mechanism? And, what's the degree of difficulty?? Thank you for any suggestions.

The E-class (W210) chassis has a problem with the guides for the sunroof cables. They are plastic & allow the cables to pop-out & then bind the roof's operation. MB modified that piece about 5 years ago. You will need 2 of 210-784-04-56. Takes about 1-2 hrs to install (unless the cables are damaged already)

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
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Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Thank you for your input. Per the local MB Dealer (Seattle, Phil Smart Parts Dept) whom I visited with this morning, the P/N you provided does not apply to my car. Their Service Dept offered to open it up to check what's wrong, about 2 hours labour @ $115./hour. just to open up, mind you. Also told me they have never seen a sunroof repair for less than $1000. Hard to believe the poor quality (as in CHEAP) & poor part design in a "so-called" quality car; definitely not designed for durability.

That part number that I posted applies to all W210 SEDANS including the diesel!

We sell over 200 @ year! $2. each

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Do a search on this forum for sunroof problems. I bought a 98 E320 that had a similar problem. I was preparing to replace the cable guides (which looked like a pretty simple operation) but didn't need to. All I did was pop one of them back in, as it had moved out of position. I have used the sunroof nearly every day for a few months since then with no problems.

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Vienna, Virginia
1998 E320

I am curious, how do you access these guide tubes? Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Not sure what you mean by "guide tubes." The cable guides are small plastic parts that can be seen easily when the sunroof is open. You might need to push the roof with your hand to open it up all the way.

There is a good picture of the cable coming out of the cable guides on this thread. Mine looked exactly like this when it got stuck.

'98 E320 (W210) Sunroof Disassembly

Attached Thumbnails

 

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Vienna, Virginia
1998 E320

Problem is, the sunroof will not open more than a couple of inches. Period. So there's no way to see what's wrong. BTW, this is the third mechanical problem (rear right window is inop & driver's side rear view mirrow has double vision & is discolored, are the other two problems) I have recently experienced on this car... now 111K miles...

So yesterday, I decided to open the sunroof on my '98 E300 for the first time since I have owned it (1+ year) and sure enough it got halfway back and stopped.

After reading this thread I was ready to order two new cover pieces described here but after examining my car it was clear mine already had the new covers with provision for 2 screws in each but the KNUCKLEHEADS at the last dealership who replaced them only USED one in each. I put two self tapping screws in and the roof works great!

So, once again a big THANKS to this board for saving me the time it would take to debug this problem myself.

And curses once again to the last stealership tech who saved himself 2 minutes by using only 1 screw in each of the covers! The thieves probably charged the PO $1,000 for the last repairs which is typical anytime you have trouble with these!

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

Hello Tony; I have the same problem. I would suggest looking at this great video http://w210.pietrzyk.net/disassembly.htm It will help you understand how this system works. On disassembly I found that my teflon sliding blocks are shot, the one screw covers are installed thats why my sun roof hangs. look here for the part numbers that you might need.
http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb1.asp?TP=1&F=210065%5F45P&M=112%2E941&GA=722%2E607&CT=F&Cat=45P&SID=78

Check Seattle's craigslist there are a few wrecked MBZ's Also a auto wrecker lists on it. good luck, Bob down in Puyallup

Does any one know if the Teflon sliding blocks, yellow tilt arm bushing can be purchased separate? thanks, Bob