I have a 1982 240 2 door coupe with the manual sunroof. The sunroof has
problems opening and closing smoothly. I think I need a new gear housing
unit and possibly new cables, but I'm not sure what parts to order or
where I can get a decent price. Some of the online parts places list
cables right and cables left...does anyone know what that means ? Also, does
anyone know of a good parts supplier to buy the needed replacement parts from ?
Any hints on performing the necessary repairs/replacement ? Thanks Joe Walsh
1982 240 Coupe (original owner).

Remove the sun roof and see what parts, if any, are needed. Often the screws holding the cable to the sun roof work loose. To remove it, crank open and release the clips holding the upholstery at the front edge and move it back. Crank the sun roof forward and loosen the screws at the four attachment points. Bend the blade springs to one side and remove the reinforcing plate at the rear connection. Lift out the sun roof and inspect the cable and crank mechanism. The Haynes manual covering 74-84 models has a good drawing on page 194. jp213

Your best bet is to take the roof out and clean the cables with
some light grease. Check the teeth on the crank they chip easy.
I replaced my crank like twice a month it likes to slip and unscrew its
self from the roof. Drived me nuts Just make sure the tracks are clean.

The parts are very expensive from the dealer. I don't know if anyone has quality aftermarket parts or not. My sunroof (1981) was messed up and I took it all apart and cleaned everything and put it back together. This took care of the problem.

I didn't replace the seals, but it didn't look like it would be too difficult. The one that wraps around the sides and front of the sunroof opening can be done with the sunroof installed and all the way open, I think. The seal that seals the back edge of the sunroof panel would require removing the sunroof to do a really clean job, in my opinion. I don't see how it could be replaced with the sunroof in the car because as soon as the sunroof is opened, the seal, which is attached to the sunroof panel, disappears between the roof and headliner. I recommend taking the whole thing apart to do the job. While you're in there you can clean and lube the cables, the rails they ride in, and everything else, and fish the leaves and pine needles out from the space between the headliner and the metal roof. I used white lithium grease as a lubricant.

To get it apart, open it a few inches and, from inside the car, pull the headliner down from the sunroof panel at the front edge of the sunroof. It's held to the sunroof by about six clips. Just carefully work them free, then slide the sunroof headliner piece to the rear where it normally goes when the sunroof is open. Then you'll see how it all comes apart.

The gearbox has to be put back in the same position it is now in, assuming your sunroof opens and closes properly now. If the gears are "clocked" or wound to a different spot on reinstallation, you very well might experience problems opening and closing the roof. It might jam up, and you might think you messed it all up, but setting the gearbox correctly will probably make it right.

Be careful. The piece that the cables ride in can be very sharp. Don't run your finger along it to put the cables in place.

Good Luck

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Thanks everyone for all the information and advice, Doug C. 81 242 Brick Off Blocks, stock, B21F (non-Turbo), M46; 86 244, B230, 140k , auto.