How to tighten the soft top tension cable 560SL - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Johnhazen · #1 11-22-2010, 05:12 PM

Re: the tension cable that goes from the front of the soft top and around the dog leg part of the roof frame work (in the area of the upper back corner of the window) to hold the canvas and weather seal down... Is the cable supposed to be wrapped over the bolt on the dog leg and should that bolt be tighted? Mine was not even over the dog leg on one side and on the other side the cable was just drapped over it and it did not get tight even when the top was clamped down. The bolts were loose on both sides. If the cable is not supposed to go under the nut / washer and tightened down, how do you adjust the cable for proper tightness? P.S. I could not get it to stay behind the washer, only the nut. I pulled the cable slightly tight with the top slightly up (not latched down in the front) and tightened the bolt to secure the cable. Is this proper? It seems tighter than it was, but I sure do not want to break that cable. From what I have read on this forum, it sounded like the dog leg is supposed to act like a lever and tighten the cable when you clamp down the front of the soft top.

Graham · #2 11-23-2010, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnhazen

Re: the tension cable that goes from the front of the soft top and around the dog leg part of the roof frame work (in the area of the upper back corner of the window) to hold the canvas and weather seal down... Is the cable supposed to be wrapped over the bolt on the dog leg and should that bolt be tighted? Mine was not even over the dog leg on one side and on the other side the cable was just drapped over it and it did not get tight even when the top was clamped down. The bolts were loose on both sides. If the cable is not supposed to go under the nut / washer and tightened down, how do you adjust the cable for proper tightness? P.S. I could not get it to stay behind the washer, only the nut. I pulled the cable slightly tight with the top slightly up (not latched down in the front) and tightened the bolt to secure the cable. Is this proper? It seems tighter than it was, but I sure do not want to break that cable. From what I have read on this forum, it sounded like the dog leg is supposed to act like a lever and tighten the cable when you clamp down the front of the soft top.

It should be clamped to that bolt. There is a long thread on Benzworld 107 forum about installing a new top, and within that there should be posts about installing the wire. Seems to me the end of it is tucked inside and glued behind the canvas flap. But I think what you did seems fine - it just needs a bit of tension.

Johnhazen · #3 11-23-2010, 04:34 PM

I finally found that thread in benz world. I had been there before and could not find out how to get back there. (Didn't book mark) It does show exactly how it works. I am supposed to be getting new weather stripping for that gap between the top and the frame. It should be real nice once I glue those in place. Thanks for the reply. I certainly feel better now knowing that by tighting that bolt down I am not cutting into the cables.