Sunroof Cables

[bbarring]

I need new cables for the sunroof on my '88 Carrera. Do I also need to purchase new rails?

Bill

[CarreraS2]

No, you can get just the cables, no problem.

[CarreraS2]

Also, if you do a search on this site using "sunroof" and "cable" (or "cables"), you'll find a lot of info on replacement.

[bbarring]

Thanks Brian. I was confused by the following from the website when I looked up the parts. "The sunroof cables are often the culprit in rendering our sunroofs inoperative. The original cables (Up to 1989) are no longer available. Upgrading to the later style cables and guides is necessary for sunroof operation. The following part numbers are the updated version and should get your sunroof sliding just like new. (M-564-341-00 Left, M-564-342-00 Right)" The part numbers listed in the quote are the part numbers for the guide rails, NOT the part numbers for the cables. Therefore I thought it was indicating that I need both.

Regards,

Bill

[CarreraS2]

You can easily use the later cables on your car without changing the rails (the rails are expensive), you just need to do some very minor modifications to the cables.

Its been a while since I did mine, but I recall taking the felt off the later cables (some say you don't have to do this - but I would), and grinding a small part away with a Dremel. Maybe 10 minutes of work.

If you run the search, you'll find the specific info. Sorry I can't remember more specifically.

[89911]

You can only get 964 and newer cables/guides for older cars. These come as a unit. You then need to file down the inner portion of these to fit in your old sliders. Not too hard, especially if someone shows you were.

[bbarring]

Any articles you can point me to? Can it be filed with a flat file or does it require a dremel?

[emcon5]

See Wayne's tech article:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_sunroof_repair/911_sunroof_repair.htm

More info from when I did it.
Sunroof cable replacement
Keeping in mind that the sunfoor liner is only attached at the front, and it makes more sense. You pop it off, and slide it back into the pocket in the roof.

Another option for the cables (Thanks Island): This looks like a better way of doing it, in my opinion. It is also free.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/Forum3/HTML/010994.html

The change ion the cables, a part of the cable guid rides inside a track on the rails. On the new cables, the track is larger, and the piece that rides in the track is larger to fit. All you need to do is trim the top and bottom of this part of the rail so it fits.

Here is an over simplified cartoon, but it explains what I am talking about:




Hope this helps,

Tom

[Decolliber]

Before you buy new cables, take the sunroof out and see what the problem is. In my case, the cables had just come out of the guides, and I crimped and expoxied them back in. That was two years, and no problems since ...