Getting Rid of Sunroof Frame
 

One of my sunroof cables broke and from what I've gathered they are not too easy to come by and are really expensive to buy from mazda so I have an idea for a cheap solution. I want to just keep the top panel as my sunroof and just pop it off when I want it open. I will be adding a drainage system to it as well as some latches to hold it down. My main question is whether or not the frame that holds the sunroof is structural to the car, I'm pretty sure its not but want to be 100%. If anybody knows of any other problems this would cause please tell me. I think it would be really cool because the sunroof would be bigger and also some weight savings. Thanks in Advance.
-Andrew

Maybe I could put this a little simpler: if I take out the sunroof frame will my car lose necessary structural integretity. Thanks in Advance.
-Andrew

Technically, it won't hurt anything to remove your sunroof frame... It's only there to support your sunroof.


The obvious question is WHY? Now, I know that yours doesn't go automatically anymore and all that, but if you take a look at what's underneath your roof, there isn't much.. It would be easier to figure out some way to secure your sunroof to the frame than to figure out a way to secure it to the roof without the frame. The frame also already includes an drainage system, and you REALLY don't want to have to fabriacate your own when the stock one works so well.

What would Wonko do? Well, I'm glad you asked that! I would simply remove both the cables, and operate it manually. Maybe put a latch on the rear to make sure it stays closed, to keep out unsavory people.

Either way, you're going to have to remove the sunroof frame in order to move any further.

Let us know what you come up with.

Just a thought.....
Have you called any of your local wrecking yards to see if they have any 7's in?
When my cable broke, my local import yard had three 7's with sunroofs.
I was able to pull the sunroof frame that I wanted for $35.
The factory service manuals (available here online) do have instructions to do this work.
It took me a little over an hr to pull the frame from the parts car and then about 3 hrs to swap the frames out on my car.
So unless you are sure you want to do the custom work, this might be a cost effective alternative.
Karyn

whas the frame heavy?


Gil

Thanks for the replies. Gilardo: the sunroof frame is only about 20 pounds. KarynKathryn I have gone to a few yards that said they had 7's but didn't. There aren't many in my area. And Wonko, thanks for answering my question. The reason I want to remove it is because the frame takes away from some of the opening. It looks like I'll get at least another 4 inches larger of a sunroof. And by the way the frame and everything involved with the sunroof is out of the car. I won't be able to work on it till friday, but I'll keep stuff posted if I fab up something.
-Andrew