Converting electric sunroof to hand cranked

mjleamy · Post by **mjleamy** » Mon Oct 01, 2012 10:39 am

Anybody done this? What parts are needed and where might I get them?

Thanks! Mike

T.Hanson · Post by **T.Hanson** » Mon Oct 01, 2012 12:21 pm

I just pulled apart a hand cranked unit from a 633. Major project.

There is no way to do it without pulling the windscreen, as the units have cable guide tubes that look like deer horns left and right. That means dropping the headliner,(tucked under the winscreen rubber trim) and all the door trim involved.

Even if I'm wrong with a 528 specific unit, it ain't a quickie, out, swap in deal.

Thirty years, expect the foam padding to crumble. Rusty guide tubes,...put it this way: I'm not relishing cleaning, rebuilding any sunroofs.

mjleamy · Post by **mjleamy** » Mon Oct 01, 2012 5:41 pm

I might not have gotten my question across well. I don't want to remove any of the sunroof mechanism/rails/etc. really. When you unzip the headliner there is a shaft that you can screw a hand crank into. I think the tool set comes with an emergency sunroof tool too. Anyways, I just want to buy the few parts that would attach a hand crank to this shaft, and maybe a trim piece or two to make it look ok.

Thanks for all responses! Mike

T.Hanson · Post by **T.Hanson** » Mon Oct 01, 2012 9:42 pm

http://www.bmwtechinfo.com or realoem.com.

To see the parts drawings for what's involved. If you insist, I hope you are right with the unzip, quick install. I hated finding out what a complicated mess fooling with a six sunroof is.

Factory parts aren't exactly cheap, if available at all. Depending upon where you are, nor sure how large the pile of 528's with hand cranks will be at the pick and pull.

But, where there's a will, there's a way.

mjleamy · Post by **mjleamy** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 5:50 am

I did a little more research. I am thinking this might do it: http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/show ... gory=17336

T.Hanson · Post by **T.Hanson** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:22 am

That's the handle. The parts that may cause trouble are 1 and 2., because the electric versions have the fitting for the switch. A small rectangular hole, etc.

The e24 mechanisms use a black plastic fiber cover that goes across the roof behind the visors. 528's don't, so maybe what's behind the vinyl zipper will be more forgiving.

There's still going to be monkey business cutting the headliner to fit 1 and 2.

mjleamy · Post by **mjleamy** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 8:33 am

I think this has turned into an argument, which was not the intention of the post. I am really looking to hear from anyone who has done the conversion and what it took. Thanks though. Mike

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 9:48 pm

Details are very fuzzy as we're talking 98 or so, but if you have a 80/81 I don't think it's a big deal. I had an E24 back then, an 80 with similar sunroof hardware and it appeared the handle mech would bolt right on and drive the same gear. You'd have to work out the trim and all, but it looked like one of those things where most of the parts were the same. Maybe check Realoem?

mjleamy · Post by **mjleamy** » Tue Oct 02, 2012 10:17 pm

ok, good to hear. I will keep investigating. Best, Mike

MikeB7 · Post by **MikeB7** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 6:00 am

I'd like to hear how this goes as well.

I have a 79 E24 that originally had a manual sunroof but was converted to electric at some point. Ideally I'd like it back to manual. Think I might be in for a mess on mine though, as on earlier E24's the sunroof electric motor was mounted in the trunk.

mjleamy · Post by **mjleamy** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 6:10 am

The E12's is mounted in the trunk too. That shouldn't matter too much however. The idea is to get a crank mounted on the shaft that is exposed when you unzip the headliner. I have a contraption on it now that lets me hand crank it, but not in a very pretty manner. When I finish this mini project, I will post details.

MikeB7 · Post by **MikeB7** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 6:32 am

Great, looking forward to it.

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:37 pm

My info was strictly on the later type, 80+ with the motor up front. I'm familiar with the early type in the trunk, but I don't know about interchangeability.

Luke · Post by **Luke** » Sun Jan 13, 2013 1:54 pm

mjleamy,

So how did it go? I'm fixing my sunroof, my headliner and windows are out, again.

mjleamy · Post by **mjleamy** » Sun Jan 13, 2013 8:37 pm

Well, I went to the dark side and siliconed it up. It doesn't look bad actually, and it completely fixed the leaks. Call it preservation in the hopes of later restoration. If I hadn't done it, the floors would be gone in a few years. Thanks for following-up.