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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.
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