FOUND AND BOUGHT manual sunroof gearbox

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hornhospital
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FOUND AND BOUGHT manual sunroof gearbox

Post by hornhospital »

The title say it all, except for the part number, which is 54121857958. This 'transmission", as BMW calls it, was used on E12s, E21s, E23s, E24s, E28s and E30s. After my friend Eddie saw the manual sunroof in my E30, he wanted to convert his after the power sunroof became unreliable (as in it wouldn't close just as he hit a toad strangler of a rainstorm). He's collected all the other bits but the gearbox. Anybody have one in good nick?
Last edited by hornhospital on Wed Jul 19, 2017 7:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
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dwcains
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Re: WTB manual sunroof gearbox

Post by dwcains »

You might try asking on mye28.com - lots of parts hoarders there.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
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hornhospital
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Re: WTB manual sunroof gearbox

Post by hornhospital »

Thanks Dean!
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
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dwcains
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Re: WTB manual sunroof gearbox

Post by dwcains »

The original motor isn't all that tough to rebuild, but the problem is finding the necessary part. The large plastic gear in the transmission wears and begins to slip. I bought a similar motor on eBay, listed for a Chevy Cavalier, and it had the same gear (good guess), as they were both Webasto motors. Proper lubrication will perhaps prevent gear failure, and that requires taking the motor out and apart, to clean out all the old grease that's become hard and dry.

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That fiber gear in the motor is not going to work (it's from a Benz), but I was experimenting with it.

About a year ago I had the idea that perhaps Garagistic could make a bunch of those gears, since they make the odometer gears many of us are familiar with. They agreed to have a look into it and I sent them a spare motor I had. We exchanged a few messages after they got my motor, and then nothing. A few recent messages remain unanswered, and at this point, I'd just like my spare motor back.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

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hornhospital
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Re: WTB manual sunroof gearbox

Post by hornhospital »

I remember that exchange. I was hoping they'd move forward with that project.

The thing about Eddie's desire to go manual on the sunroof, after replacing the window motors at substantial expense, only to have both fail within a year, I suggested manual windows. He bought the manual setup from Bulgaria (postage wasn't nearly as expensive as we thought) and he loves the result. Since I have a manual sunroof in my E30, and his power one got him soaked, he said "enough!" and started looking for a manual setup. The gearbox is the last item on the list. I came across the needed header panel in excellent condition a few days ago, something that is very hard to find, so when we locate the gearbox the project will be on.
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
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dwcains
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Re: WTB manual sunroof gearbox

Post by dwcains »

Sometimes, manual is the way to go. Both of my Alfa Spider's have power windows, which is just ridiculous no matter how you look at it.
Dean
Lutz, FL

'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z

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Carlp336
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Re: WTB manual sunroof gearbox

Post by Carlp336 »

i did a full manual conversion on mine..

love it!


i was able to find this on ebay for 85$. its from an e30.
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.1977 H&B 630CSI - http://www.sidedraftsix.com.
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Re: WTB manual sunroof gearbox

Post by Carlp336 »

i also have a lot of spare electric sunroof parts, includign motors
.1977 H&B 630CSI - http://www.sidedraftsix.com.
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hornhospital
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Re: WTB manual sunroof gearbox

Post by hornhospital »

Carlp336 wrote:i did a full manual conversion on mine..

love it!


i was able to find this on ebay for 85$. its from an e30.
I wish we could find something like that!
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
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hornhospital
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Re: WTB manual sunroof gearbox

Post by hornhospital »

Carlp336 wrote:i also have a lot of spare electric sunroof parts, includign motors
Thanks, Carl, but we need a MANUAL sunroof setup.
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
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Re: FOUND AND BOUGHT manual sunroof gearbox

Post by hornhospital »

Got one from Great Britain. Gearbox, mount and cables for $130 delivered. The mount was important. It's different than an electric mount. The two don't interchange.
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
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