World's Biggest SL500 Mystery?

[billwrb]

I can't believe I've not received one response to the question of how often one needs to lubricate the soft top mechanism on a 1993 SL500!!! Doesn't ANYBODY know?? Is it a "do it yourself job", what does one use, and how and how often should it be done? If nobody knows the answer, does anyone know where (other than a dealer) I might go for it? Thanks!

[larryk]

I have a 1982 380SL and recently lubricated the soft top joints with a can of WD-40.

It had probably never been lubricated before and the softtop certainly moves with ease after spraying the joints. I suspect it should be done annually.

[G-Benz]

Originally Posted by billwrb

I can't believe I've not received one response to the question of how often one needs to lubricate the soft top mechanism on a 1993 SL500!!! Doesn't ANYBODY know?? Is it a "do it yourself job", what does one use, and how and how often should it be done? If nobody knows the answer, does anyone know where (other than a dealer) I might go for it? Thanks!

Perhaps no one does...I know I've never have in the five years I've owned mine.

[elau]

Guess what? You ask the wrong question. The answer is that you don't lubricate anything for the soft top.

Good try though. The soft top of the SL is "maintenance free" till it goes bad. Then you replace the actuators. No daily maintenacnce like other cheap top. However, when $hit goes wrong, get ready to pay for it

That's why we are the elite ones.

[tecqboy]

I humblely disagree with the previous post. I had a joint in my soft top mech. fail due to a precieved lack of lubrication. While I don't believe that the joints need to be swimming in oil, a light coating of white lithium grease surely can't hurt. I had the top of one of the round toped pivot posts shear off when the moving arm joint bound and froze. I don't know what the "official" Mercedes position is on this, but for myself, I like moving parts lubed.

[bwheitman]

Well,
I have looked all through my service manual and I don't see anything for replacing the fluid or lubing the mechanisms. I do however replace my fluid and make sure the soft top is well lubricated with a slight application of silicone lubricant. The car is 9 years old and not one single failure yet in the soft top, or hydraulics. The one thing the manual says is to check the locking lug in the roadster soft top, does anyone know what that is?
Brian