Making OSS manual? Experiement only, any ideas welcome

if we could devise a way to manually lift out the glass panels the window would be bigger as instead of the glass stacking above the panel the two front-most panels could be taken out...

or just have the front panel removable? the 2nd from front panel doesn't actually move does it?
 
Sorry, my mistake, I should've made it clearer. I didn't mean the Allen key, I meant that a tool is needed to get into the sides of the roof from below, when in the car, otherwise it's impossible to properly open due to the motor.
Thank you for the explanation, I'm sure I'm missing something as the oss motor comes out easily, so it must be something esle and that tool as well, I think I read something about it somewhere.
Anyway, I can't even remove the light above the sunvisor, it's stuck just like the clip holder. Feels like it's glued together and Steve got back to me, he's busy now but said if I remove the motor I'd be able to move the glass up for freely. I might've put it across wrong what I wanted with the oss. You said it's risky, so I just leave it and dont try that. Cheers
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if we could devise a way to manually lift out the glass panels the window would be bigger as instead of the glass stacking above the panel the two front-most panels could be taken out...

or just have the front panel removable? the 2nd from front kpanel doesn't actually move does it?
I got the answer to that from oss experts @Kleynie and if you lift the glass just an inch or so, 2 screws appear on both sides. If you undo them, rather 2 persons job as unbalancing the glass could break it, you'd remove the glass. I was like that's great news, not sure how the rear would move durinh driving, but might worth a try. He said yes, BUT when you have to put that back you have to play with 15mm! gap on each side or the lines won't add up...and that is not easy to do it right, not even for them. So that is a no-go unfortunately.
 
I got the answer to that from oss experts @Kleynie and if you lift the glass just an inch or so, 2 screws appear on both sides. If you undo them, rather 2 persons job as unbalancing the glass could break it, you'd remove the glass. I was like that's great news, not sure how the rear would move durinh driving, but might worth a try. He said yes, BUT when you have to put that back you have to play with 15mm! gap on each side or the lines won't add up...and that is not easy to do it right, not even for them. So that is a no-go unfortunately.

another idea,

1. 3d printing a guide to fit the glass back in in the right position/alignment - still a two person job...

2. make a cheap replacement for the glass panel out of plastic that 1 person could put on and off as needed as it would be lighter and won't break as easily... and just use the glass for when you won't to keep it shut for long periods of time?
 
another idea,

1. 3d printing a guide to fit the glass back in in the right position/alignment - still a two person job...

2. make a cheap replacement for the glass panel out of plastic that 1 person could put on and off as needed as it would be lighter and won't break as easily... and just use the glass for when you won't to keep it shut for long periods of time?
You need the parameters and other details to 3D print, that could end up being a lot of try and hassle.
The plastic panel is not bad idea, but has to be a good quality and where would you find one? Also you need the connectors from the original glass, so you'd end up buying another roof and break it off?
I think the best way would be, if we could push the glass up with our hands manually. When done just push it back. Not sure how would it sit and lock during drive rain though.
 
Thank you for the explanation, I'm sure I'm missing something as the oss motor comes out easily, so it must be something esle and that tool as well, I think I read something about it somewhere.
Anyway, I can't even remove the light above the sunvisor, it's stuck just like the clip holder. Feels like it's glued together and Steve got back to me, he's busy now but said if I remove the motor I'd be able to move the glass up for freely. I might've put it across wrong what I wanted with the oss. You said it's risky, so I just leave it and dont try that. Cheers
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Just removing the motor will not allow the panels to move manually as the panels will be locked, the locks only release by operating the cables, ie the motor, or removing the headlining and releasing the locks from below with a screw driver.
Even then the parts that the glass panels screw onto need to be moved backwards to lift the panels, you still will not be able to just push them unless already on the tilt position.

Ian
 
Just removing the motor will not allow the panels to move manually as the panels will be locked, the locks only release by operating the cables, ie the motor, or removing the headlining and releasing the locks from below with a screw driver.
Even then the parts that the glass panels screw onto need to be moved backwards to lift the panels, you still will not be able to just push them unless already on the tilt position.

Ian
Thanks Ian, that is a very important detail for sure. So manual moving literally impossible or not useable in every day driving. That's sad alright, so the only thing really left on the "making it manual" experiment mission, is could the cables be manually moved somehow? I'm assuming that'd happen simultaneously.

Behind the motor there's the runner, so reaching them like that is not really possible.
How do you open the oss, if the Allan key doesn't work either and just keep spinning/clicking just on the button? Thanks
 
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you remove the motor, so the cables can move freely, then unlatch each front truck by pushing the latches backwards

To be honest, and please don't take this the wrong way, you are playing with fire here and likely to end up with an oss this is open and you are unable to close it. You are far better accepting that it is a broken sky and leave well alone.
The owl OSS is not a DIY proposition unless you really understand how it works

I have refurbished a three OSS systems, and have a further one in the garage to do when I get around to it. There are a couple of failure points in an otherwise elegant solution, please don't butcher it !!!

Paul
 
you remove the motor, so the cables can move freely, then unlatch each front truck by pushing the latches backwards

To be honest, and please don't take this the wrong way, you are playing with fire here and likely to end up with an oss this is open and you are unable to close it. You are far better accepting that it is a broken sky and leave well alone.
The owl OSS is not a DIY proposition unless you really understand how it works

I have refurbished a three OSS systems, and have a further one in the garage to do when I get around to it. There are a couple of failure points in an otherwise elegant solution, please don't butcher it !!!

Paul
Hi Paul, thanks for your input I appreciate it, well that settles it, no manual opening then ?
People who know how it works, rather wouldn't try tricks so that's what gotta be. It was worth a shot though. Cheers guys.
 
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