'91 500SL soft-top almost closes! but...

[FlintDxb]

Soft-top unlatches and starts to fold away, but the two support rods (each with a small rubber pad on it) now stay upright making it impossible to complete the fold-away operation; they stop the clam-shell being able to fully close.

If I reverse the operation and open the hood half way up, I can push each rod back slightly with my hand and then close the top properly.

I notice that either side of my soft-top there are two brown canvas straps which have both worn thru and are not connected to anything anymore!

So I was wondering if maybe these were once connected to the two rods mentioned above in some way, so that when the top closes, these straps pulled the rods backwards and neatly fold the roof (the same effect as me manually pushing the rods)?

Any input appreciated.

[FlintDxb]

Photos!

[bobterry99]

I believe the strap went around the rods that are out of position. Mercedes modified this by adding a spring to each rod. If you send me an email, I think I can tell you what parts you need.