Side Locks on Hardtop '89 SL560

[MarcMullins]

I have read all the threads on hardtop removal. My drivers side rear side lock will not release. All other locks including the rear pin release. I removed the cap and turned the underlying square bolt clockwise with a socket as one posted thread suggested. The post said to give it two turns. It stopped rotating at the same place the stop on the cap would have stopped it; about a quarter turn. I did not want to force it and break something. There are two locknuts on the side lock shaft . Should I loosen those and turn the lock mechanism clockwise? A picture or schematic of the side lock mechanism would help. I have had this car since 1996 and remove the top a few times each year. This is the first time it has stuck. I can also see what looks to be a ribbed rubber washer (about 1.5 inch diameter) knarled around the shaft where it enters the car body.

MM

[230/8]

You know, it sounds like something may be jamming your lock pin. According the manual, just turning the DS pin towards the rear, in this case that would be CW, about a half turn should release it fully. The same for the PS lock pin, except it would turn CCW that half turn, since it is on the opposite side of the car.

These pins seem to be a real simple design. The half turn movement is all that is necessary to release it. As I recall, the front header is a screw-type and the side latches are a cross-bar style. I believe tops are interchangable for all the 107s, so I cannot imagine yours would be different. Maybe I have just not noticed it, but I do not recall any rubber washer on this latch pin.

Usually the center pin in the rear is the bugger, I did not think I would ever get mine to release this summer.

Good luck,

230/8

[GermanMarque]

Regarding the rubber seal, I've checked mine and there are flat natural brown rubber washers that sit between the bottom of the hardtop and the top of the mounting hole. If they were missing you would not know. My 2 cents.