Broken Top release 77/ 450SL

[swinlv]

Well not that the summer has come to an end, I found need to put the top up on my Finance's 450 SL. Only to find that the release latch just spins.
In order to release the hatch & put up the soft top or put the hard top back on I'm going to need a little help. Any suggestions, In repair strategy or what type of a shop I should be looking for.

She has recently relocated to Las Vegas ( from south Texas) and has yet to find a reliable Mercedes shop here in town. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance, Steve

[GSMITH]

On the service CD 77-340.pdf. You need to form a hook that passes thru the L/R rectangular slot to unlatch the cover. Insert hook rotate to vehicle center. Pull upward as far as it will go and press to the rear.

The diagram for the hook is an L shape with a handle formed.

Long side of L is 160mm short side of L is 30mm.

I do not think a coat hanger will be strong enough. The drivers side will be easier so start there first to get the hang of what you are doing. On the passenger side you will be working against a spring that will make life a lot harder.

If you do not have a service CD I would order it from MB $20 now. It will make your fiance think you are worth keeping after the first year.

Let us know if this worked for you.
Gary

[swinlv]

All is well in Las Vegas, The top is up & the disk is about to be ordered,

Thanks for keeping me...Superman