MY cable looks the same (1988 560sl) Yesterday I adjusted the threaded cable at the passenger side lock to release at the same rate as the drivers side, works great now, as for the center lock/release, the rear post was not fully releasing from the center lock, thought the problem was the cable, mine looked just like yous the same amount of slack at the end, however the center lock assembly was aligned too far towards the drivers side, loosend up the 4 bolts moved the lock over toward the passenger side, works great now!

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FrankE500
94' E500 67k sold 10/2007
88' 560sl 154k
99' LX470
02' Ducati S4