Sunroof framework removal?

[LTDScott]

We're gutting our car to convert it into a race car, and need to remove the whole sunroof assembly to put in a roll cage. Our car has the manual crank metal panel sunroof. The Bentley book shows how to remove the actual sliding sunroof, but how do we remove the actual frame that the sunroof slides in? I believe this is called the cassette (forgive my BMW newbiness)?

Looking at some pics online, it seems that on many BMWs this is bolted in, but it certainly isn't on our car. It seems to be spot riveted and somehow bonded to the roof sheetmetal. Are we going to have to bust out the cutting wheel to get this out?

Thanks!

[LTDScott]

Bueller? Anyone?

[James Crivellone]

Welded in place via some spot welds, and the rest is a glue.

You can cut it out, or drill out the welds and pry, although be careful as you will bend the roof easily (ask how we know that part )

[LTDScott]

Welded in place via some spot welds, and the rest is a glue.

You can cut it out, or drill out the welds and pry, although be careful as you will bend the roof easily (ask how we know that part )

Thanks! Would it be possible to heat the glue with a torch and pry?

[ddavidv]

I'd do a search over on the Spec E30 site in the message boards. They've talked about this task repeatedly.
When I did it I pried and used an air chisel. Yeah, don't do that. Makes a mess of the roof pretty quickly.
The back half is just glued in, and will usually let loose pretty easily once you get a corner loose. The thing is welded in at the car center and can be a little tricky to cut loose with a cutoff wheel. Careful cutting with a wheel around the s/r opening wasn't hard.

http://www.spece30.com/