Top Help 129

[shortturtle294]

Could someone please tell me how to latch and unlatch the rear manually on the hard top of our 95 sl600?

All summer the soft top worked perfect but for some quirk I cannot get the left one to latch down or start the release sequence when trying to put on the hard top or even try and start over.
Thank you, ST

[Carlos Serrano]

There is a wrench in the tool kit just for this is. Check your owners manual and it will explain in detail how to do it. "Manually folding soft top".

[shortturtle294]

I'll look again, I saw the instructions on the soft top, but couldn't relate them to the hard top problem. The only wrench I found fit the cover over the soft top. How do the rear latches operate and what is the manual method?

Thanks again, just slightly into the oldtimer's - ST

[Carlos Serrano]

from inside the trunk by the hinges the wrench from the tool kit just fits on the locks,the same wrench opens the clam shell cover,passenger side in between the roll bar and the cover is the bolt. From the trunk shine a lite and you will see them next to the hinges, the other end of the wrench is the allen wrench for the front locks
Good luck

[bobterry99]

Originally Posted by shortturtle294

Could someone please tell me how to latch and unlatch the rear manually on the hard top of our 95 sl600?

All summer the soft top worked perfect but for some quirk I cannot get the left one to latch down or start the release sequence when trying to put on the hard top or even try and start over.
Thank you, ST

For MY1995 M-B redesigned the rear latches, and from that point onward you can not manually work them with the special wrench. Your owner's manual states that you have to visit a dealer.

However, I recall reading on a forum where someone removed the panel at the rear of the trunk to access the latches and managed to open and close them somehow. I had the problem with a '99 and tried this with no success. What I ended-up doing was removing the connectors from the soft top controller and jumping contacts that forced the hydraulic pump to run and the latch to open.

[shortturtle294]

Thankyou all,

I didn't have the special wrench in my kit. After removing the trunk liner I understood the problem much better. I was able to unlatch the right side, that was working normal with a small set of vicegrips. We undid the front with an allen wrench and got the top off. The left rear slotted strap had been bent just enough where it wasn't wanting to draw down.

After adjusting the strap we were able to get it to lock down in normal sequence, several times. It doesn't take much to get it out of wack where it wouldn't work correctly. With your help--learning every day, st