5dr sunroof from electric to manual

I know the electric sunroof problems is a topic already covered, but I woke up with a (silly?) idea and no one seems to have talked about something quite similar...so, I was wondering: as I'm having problems with my sunroof motor (it clicks when trying to close the thing, doesn't go wide open but only in the tilt mode) but apart from that the sunroof looks good (it does not leak after 15 years since the Freelander was built...quite a record?), what about removing the motor and opening/closing the roof by hand?
It would be a bit tricky and not so comfortable, for sure (there is no handle to pull), but at least I could open the damn thing...what do you guys think about it?
The biggest problem, I guess, is that I don't know if the glass would be safely attached then...without the motor in place, would it fall off as I drive on the motorway, or open by itself?
Feel free to call me idiot...seriously, I hope in some suggestions (hope for suggestions? Sorry for my bad English)

The problem with the sunroof isn't the motor. It's the tracks and cables. If they are kept clean and lubricated, they don't give trouble. The gear that fails in the drive, is designed to strip instead of damaging the motor.