New Soft Top on the 380sl

[Build]

My car is awaiting a new timing chain and transmission mount parts, so I can't drive it. I thought it was a perfect time to install the new top.

It took about 7 hours start to finish with some wait time for the glue to dry, etc. It went very smoothly except that I found a broken bolt in the top frame which took an hour to drill, easyout, and install a new one. The worst of the job was the final pulling and trimming. It's German Happich Sonneland canvas with Regalite windows. The waves in the windows have already smoothed out after the photo was taken. I'm glad I got the German canvas as it seemed to stretch better than the American I tried.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by Build

My car is awaiting a new timing chain and transmission mount parts, so I can't drive it. I thought it was a perfect time to install the new top.

It took about 7 hours start to finish with some wait time for the glue to dry, etc. It went very smoothly except that I found a broken bolt in the top frame which took an hour to drill, easyout, and install a new one. The worst of the job was the final pulling and trimming. It's German Happich Sonneland canvas with Regalite windows. The waves in the windows have already smoothed out after the photo was taken. I'm glad I got the German canvas as it seemed to stretch better than the American I tried.

Looks like you did a great job! I did mine last year. It sits a little low making it harder to fold, so I may add another set of shims under the frame support.

[Build]

Yours looks great. I didn't know you could add shims; interesting. Mine folds nicely but it's pretty tight to lock into place. I guess it will loosen up somewhat after use.

[nobby]

Only 7 hours???
It took me 7 hours to remove the old top and all the old glue.
Good job.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by Build

Yours looks great. I didn't know you could add shims; interesting. Mine folds nicely but it's pretty tight to lock into place. I guess it will loosen up somewhat after use.

Mine was hard to lock in place too - the front seal needs to be compressed an the top stretched - I left mine up for about 3 weeks. It is still tighter to lock than it was previously, but it is getting better. The warmer weather also seems to help.

Did you replace all the seals at the same time? What make of top did you buy?

[Jimbacsi]

I'm impressed! I'm a complete SL "newbie" and I also need a new soft top. I'm not a mechanic, but I can follow instructions and I'm good with my hands. Is this something that takes a magician to do or can a patient do-it-yourselfer replace an SL soft top? Are there any convenient Do-it-yourself posts anywhere to take me through it (preferably with pictures and a small bottle of valium)?? Your encouragement is welcome.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by Jimbacsi

I'm impressed! I'm a complete SL "newbie" and I also need a new soft top. I'm not a mechanic, but I can follow instructions and I'm good with my hands. Is this something that takes a magician to do or can a patient do-it-yourselfer replace an SL soft top? Are there any convenient Do-it-yourself posts anywhere to take me through it (preferably with pictures and a small bottle of valium)?? Your encouragement is welcome.

I would be interested to know which instructions Build followed. Whatever they were, it turned out well.

There is a set of instructions on the World Upholstery site as well as in the 107 chassis manual, book II. There is also an extensive thread in the stickies on Benzworld 107 forum with pictures etc.

Several owners have done it, so why not you! But I only did mine because I could not find anyone local to do it, never-mind for $500 which I thought it should cost for say 8hrs work for a pro.

[Build]

The top is made by Ezon top company and I purchased it from topsonline.com. I looked at a German top made by GAHH and the build quality looked the same and had the same warranty, but was $250 more. I looked at a couple others as well.

I used the instructions that came with it and they were very simple to follow for the most part. Some of the illustrations could have been better, but I just used the old top as a reference as to how things fit. The key really was getting a feel of how everything was supposed to work, but the instructions were effective. This is the first top I've installed and am very happy with it. The old top had all three windows ripped out and was pretty much a goner in every way; but made good reference material.

I was quoted $800+ by local upholstery shops; the MB dealership wanted $1600 and acted like they didn't want to mess with it. Plus MB wouldn't install a top made by anyone else.

Yep Nobby, the glue was thick and stuck. I used Berrymans and a very mild scothbrite pad which cut right through the muck. Stinky stuff though that Berrymans.