107 hardtop stuck in back - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Henryk · #1 10-14-2002, 06:12 PM

Is there a way to release the back pin on the hardtop? Wiggling the handle does not do any good. We can lift the back by about 1 inch but it seems to be stuck and does not get released. What to use to get it undone?

BDBENZ · #2 10-14-2002, 06:18 PM

Maybe you tried this, but did you push the small second handle all the way down towards the floor to release the pin?

BD

Henryk · #3 10-14-2002, 06:42 PM

Hi, yes I did. Tried to wiggle this lever as well but no luck. I think the small lever controls only the side locks and the large lever controls the back. Thank you for your interest

BDBENZ · #4 10-14-2002, 07:10 PM

It sounds like the cable needs adjusted. Try this post and see if you can get it unstuck. Hope that it helps.
BD

84 SL Hard Top Stuck - rear bullet. Please help

sutekh · #5 10-14-2002, 08:01 PM

The small lever engages and disengages the catch that grabs the pin. the large lever, once the pin is caught, pulls the mechanism down (and the hard top with it) to create a seal and secure the rear portion of the top. The latching mechanism grabs a slot in the passenger side (on my '80 450 anyway) of the pin. Atleast on my car, the compressed weather stripping on the bottom of the hardtop exerts enough upward force on the pin/clasp that I sometimes have to have someone push down on the top to release enough pressure on the clasp to allow it to disengage. I'm not sure I explained that very well, but hopefully something there helps.

Henryk · #6 10-14-2002, 10:08 PM

Really appreciate your interest. I have red the previous posts that dealt with this problem. I originally came from Poland 20 yrs ago, and as you know it takes 5 of us to unscrew the light bulb. How many will it take to get that pin out???
I shall try again tomorrow or next day. The "tool" described in last year post totally escapes me. I have tried to bend a screwdriver but all I accomplished was a broken handle. What is radiator hose cotter tool? I shall keep you posted.
thx
henryk

4NDELIT · #7 10-15-2002, 03:57 AM

My cable's broken... when I pop the soft top cover a lil while the other 4 pins are off, I can see the loose cable. I tried pulling at that with all kinds of tools, but it wouldn't release the last pin... I guess I'll try this stuf.

maheath · #8 10-15-2002, 04:10 PM

Or look at this thread:

560sl hardtop ?stuck?

Henryk · #9 10-15-2002, 09:33 PM

Thanks everyone. Not only was I able to remove the hardtop, but was able to do it myself without any help! So at the end it took one Pole to do the three people job. I simply rolled the towels and inserted on both sides of a pin, then from the inside of the car with a straight screwdriver I was able to release the pin. Cable needed adjustments, and now everything is OK.
thanks guys
henryk

alanc · #10 10-16-2002, 12:57 PM

I caught this one too late, but I think the way they usually say to do this is to get someone to help you rotate the top until the notch on the pin is no longer engaged. Of course, once it's off the cable needs to be adjusted to keep it from happening again. I had to put a 4 or 5 small washers on my cable because the screw adjustment wasn't enough to fix it--they get kind of stretched out or something.

Henryk · #11 10-16-2002, 04:24 PM

As a matter of fact I had an urge to twist the top while it was held up, and according to you this should have worked. Good to remember if this ever happens again. Not understanding how the whole latch was constructed I was apprehensive to try the "twist". Now that I know how it all works I would not hesitate to do it. Of course now I also know how to get the thing released with straight screwdriver, so there is more than one way to skin a cat. Thanks everyone again.
henryk

David Langsam · #12 10-17-2002, 05:25 PM

Can someone post a pic of the adjustment nut on the cable that releases the center pin. Mine is just starting to give me trouble and I looked, but can't seem to figure out what is going on. Thanx.

David

Henryk · #13 10-17-2002, 10:13 PM

Hi, I would have to draw, but it may be easier to explain. When you raise the boot (the soft top cover) and take out the soft top. Move it out of the way (leave up unfolded). Take a look inside by the levers (two handles - one like a window crank and the other the short metal one). The short lever is the one on which the cable needs adjustment. Look at the cable as you move the lever up and down. You'll see how it moves the latch in back where the pin goes in. Next to the lever (on the insisde wher the soft top goes in) you'll see how the cable is connected to the lever. Similar like on the throttle cable in your lawnmower there is an adjustment there as well. On mine there were two plastic nut like thingis that you could screw up or down the cable. One of them is mounted in a little vise like clamp that keeps it from twisting up or down the cable. The "clamp" is just a metal piece that you can unsnap with your fingers or with long nose pliers. Once you'll take it off the whole cable will get loose. Move the plastic nut to where the cable will be tight (the small lever in up position). Insert the clamp back in its place, but not snap it in yet. Holding the clamp against the plactic nut move the lever down and observe how the back latch moves to the side, if satisfied with the adjustment snap the clamp back in its place and you are ready to go. You'll have to use pliers now as it was in my case hard to push the clamp back where it belongs.
In short by listening to you guys I have saved a bunch of money. At one dealership where I took the car to, they wanted to charge me $350 just to remove the top, then $200 to replace the cable which they were sure right then, was broken. It was to take them a whole day or two to complete this incredibly difficult task. At another dealership it was $100 to remove the top, $50 to adjust the cable or $150 to replace the cable if broken. God helps me they suck!!! Once I knew what to do it took me total of 5 minutes - removal of the top and adjustment to the cable.
thanks again and I hope it helps.
henryk

littlehandegan · #14 09-01-2015, 07:30 PM

Wow. Almost 15 years old and still useful today,

My rear will not come loose. I am ready to lift and turn the top to the side with the help of a friend. Do we swivel it to the driver side or passenger?

Once I get this hardtop off i will be able to adjust this correct?

sutekh · #15 09-01-2015, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlehandegan

Wow. Almost 15 years old and still useful today,

My rear will not come loose. I am ready to lift and turn the top to the side with the help of a friend. Do we swivel it to the driver side or passenger?

Once I get this hardtop off i will be able to adjust this correct?

Haha! I can't believe I even still have the email associated with this account. I haven't logged into this forum in well over a decade. I still have the SL though, so I guess I'm still qualified to answer!

Be careful when rotating the top and make sure its tipped back at enough of an angle that the locking pins on either side (right below and toward the front of the hardtop's windows) are well clear. Dragging those would do a number on your paint.

Once the top is off you should be able to release the soft top lid and access the latch mechanism and cable to determine the problem.

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