Hard Top Storage: Cart or Lift

[affab]

I bought my 560SL about 1.5 years ago. I do not drive it in the winter,therefore I never use the hardtop. I store the hardtop on a carpeted floor of a closet in my home.I've also covered it with a blanket. This will not harm the shape of the top, will it? It rests on the edge just under the window and I figure thats the same wieght distribution as if it was on a cart.

[OB Joe]

I have both, an overhead electric winch and a floor stand but for storage I built a shelf on the back wall of the garage and it sits on that. It won't fall, sway or get in the way and I never have to work around it.

[Strife]

On my homemade cart, I support the back on two points 1/3 and 2/3 of the way across the rear lip, which might put less stress on the whole thing.

One thing I've noticed about lifts (but maybe not all of them): if you leave the top hanging, they will almost always distort the rubber seals permanently. This is why I had to replace mine, the PO did this.

[450sl4me]

Is there a way to mount the hoist if I have a finished garage with no exposed studs? How can I get around this?

[dmorrison]

Here is my Sto'away unit. I had to find the studs to bolt the unit in. But a good studfinder is all you need, or at least that is what she said.

Dave

[G-Benz]

Originally Posted by 450sl4me

Is there a way to mount the hoist if I have a finished garage with no exposed studs? How can I get around this?

As dmorrison said, a studfinder is all you need. My garage is finished, but the drywall seams were easy to spot (therefore studs!).

[Walrus]

Originally Posted by Strife

...One thing I've noticed about lifts (but maybe not all of them): if you leave the top hanging, they will almost always distort the rubber seals permanently. This is why I had to replace mine, the PO did this...

Several of the systems I have looked at for the 107 are designed to clamp onto the rain gutter, rather than sling under the rubber window molding... One system I saw, and recreated, was designed to hook underneath the bottom of the top at three places, in the dead center of the back lower edge, underneath the quarter windows next to the attachment points, and in the center of the front edge of the roof. The best system of support I saw used large, circular "buffing pad" like fixtures to support the roof just inside the rubber molding... Kinda neat. IF you need sketches, or links (if I can find them) PM with your e-mail address...

I was just not comfortable with the idea of 90+ pounds hanging above my car, body, anything else that should pass beneath.

[jjrodger]

This is Mercedes-Benz's own hardtop shuttle, the recommended solution for the 129. It is beautifully made and very easy to use. Definitely a one man job, because you align the shuttle to the car, rather than trying to park your car under a fixed hoist. The cradle part of the shuttle has large size, felt-lined holders which do not touch the seals.

[450sl4me]

I like that! Do they make it for the 107s?

[phildad]

I just finished making a Hard-Top Lift today, using an electric hoist and making a well-padded lift bar. Not anything new, just took several ideas from others on this site.

Anyway, for my 1990 300SL, it's perfect and so over-designed I can sleep at night too.

For details, check out Post #13 at
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-sl-discussion-forum/71211-electric-hoist-sl-hardtop-post1120530.html#post1120530

Phil

[stats007]

Have you noticed how US garages are spotless and full of tool racks and here in the UK we have miserable dingy places full of junk (no offence JJ!)

[jjrodger]

Originally Posted by stats007

Have you noticed how US garages are spotless and full of tool racks and here in the UK we have miserable dingy places full of junk (no offence JJ!)

Yes, where do you guys keep your junk? Don't tell me, you don't throw it away rather tham hoard it for all time, do you??? Hey that old toilet, pair of redundant bath taps, and illegal plumbing in my garage might come in useful, you never know.

[kknudson]

My garages are fairly neat, particularly the third workshop garage. Heated, tiled floor, phone, tv, stereo, air and LIGHTS.

Ok, but don't think you guys have the lock on bad garages. I live in a mid upper class neighborhood. You'd be amazed at the houses with a 2 car oversized garage that's never seen a car. How about the 3 car version that can carefully sneak A car in.

My sister in-law with a multi-million $ house, 4 car garage. When I was there in the 80s 1 car sometimes got garage space. I've been told it hasn't been in the garage in YEARS.

[C Holmes]

I'm guessing that thing cost as much as an SL320 when new.