How feasible would it be to remove the power sunroof gubbins entirely and weld a blanking plate in place?

my vogue SE sunroof currently neither tilts nor slides, though you can see it kind of trying, and having removed the saggy old headling I can see that the cable guide pipes look rotten and the seal is perished.

As it would cost £90+ for a new seal, £40 for new cables and cause headaches to try and re trim a sunroof headlining, is there much to stop me removing the sunroof mechanism entirely and getting a body shop to weld a flush fitted blanking plate where the sunroof opening is?

I am not really into sunroofs anyway, and removing it would mean less to go wrong and no chance of it leaking and causing yet more rot due to blocked drainage pipes etc.

Has this been done before, and is there a place that supplies sunroof blanking plates?

thanks all

As the RRC has what was known as a 'floating roof' it's only bolted on, so would it not be better to change the entire roof panel for a non-sunroof example. Even if the colour is wrong you are going to be into spraying anyway, if you decide to plate the original. Either way you'll have a used roof motor to sell.

I did think of that but a quick look around ebay, they all look like sunroof type roof panels, but yeah that would be preferable, especially as I know my current roof panel has dents in it anyway.

Forgive my ignorance, but would an older 2 door roof panel fit my 1990?

I would have thought so, the same part # (MWC5484) is listed for both 2 & 4 door, but others on here may have actually done the job in the past.

You'll probably be fine lubricating the drive cables on the roof. over time the grease collects all kind of dust and detritus and the grease gets more sticky. the roof is aluminum so welding in a panel will be fun !!

You can wind the motor along by hand with the correct tool (6mm allen whench IIRCC) helping it with your hand to save putting stress on the motor, undo the 6 torx heads on the roof panel, lift it out and lube the drive cables.