A sliding door drive assembly is used with a motor vehicle having an electric energy source and a sliding door. The sliding door drive assembly includes a motor that is electrically connected to the electric energy source. The motor converts electric energy into a rotating force. The sliding door drive assembly also includes a transmission that is operatively connected to the motor for transmitting the rotating force to an output shaft. A cable drum is fixedly secured to the output shaft and rotates with the output shaft. First and second cables are wound about the cable drum in opposite directions. The first cable extends from the cable drum forward along a path to the sliding door. The second cable extends from the cable drum rearward along the path toward the sliding door. The sliding door drive assembly also includes support guides extending tangentially out from the cable drum to guide the first and second cables outwardly and away from the cable drum along a path minimizing frictional forces.