Roof wire repair

My buddy's top is intermittent. Periodically, it will stop closing just before panel 2 has completed its motion so the trunk does not cinch down. I see that there have been a number of wire repairs which were not high quality so I suspect they may be failing. We have the ANCEL tool so we will read the codes next time it happens.
It looks like it would be much easier to repair the wires if I remove panel 2. Is it hard to remove? I read that there are three bolts on each side but I see many more than three. Is there a preferred wire to use when splicing? Thanks