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  #1  
Old 05-29-2009, 11:44 PM
nobby's Avatar
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Location: Barrie, Ontario
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R107 Soft Top Replacement

There is little documented info on this job.
Yes there are instructions available from World Upholstery and the MB manual but that's just what they are...instructions with some items open to interpretation.
I am sure there are members here that have changed a top that enjoyed the experience and some who didn't but I'm sure everyone learned a thing or two.
I know I did....I just wish I had "practiced" on someone else's SL with a cheap top!
In any event, I put together a lengthy thread with lots of pics here:http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r-c107-sl-slc-class/1444973-r107-soft-top-replacement.html
The replacement starts at post #82.


EDIT!
I should also add that John Roncallo is participating in this thread, as well.


Last edited by nobby; 05-30-2009 at 11:26 PM.
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  #2  
Old 05-30-2009, 11:09 AM
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Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,395
Quote:
Originally Posted by nobby View Post
There is little documented info on this job.
Yes there are instructions available from World Upholstery and the MB manual but that's just what they are...instructions with some items open to interpretation.
I am sure there are members here that have changed a top that enjoyed the experience and some who didn't but I'm sure everyone learned a thing or two.
I know I did....I just wish I had "practiced" on someone else's SL with a cheap top!
In any event, I put together a lengthy thread with lots of pics here:http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r-c107-sl-slc-class/1444973-r107-soft-top-replacement.html
The replacement starts at post #82.

Nobby, I have been following your adventures with interest. Thanks for posting them!

After reading your posts, I am somewhat tempted to do the job myself. Should be able to do it for under C$500 if I use Stafast and aftermarket seals (actually my seals are not bad).

I have a local guy who says he can do the job, but we are not in MB country here, so I doubt he has done many. He has done tops and upholstery for 30 years though. Have to see what he will charge.

I have a question re the wires. Do they have any special type of fitting swaged on? Or is it just a loop with a nicopress sleeve? One of the wires is loose inside the sleeve on my car. Just wondering whether to buy the wires or make them up myself (I did sailboat rigging in another life!)
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85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5
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  #3  
Old 05-30-2009, 01:05 PM
nobby's Avatar
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Location: Barrie, Ontario
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham View Post
I have a question re the wires. Do they have any special type of fitting swaged on? Or is it just a loop with a nicopress sleeve? One of the wires is loose inside the sleeve on my car. Just wondering whether to buy the wires or make them up myself (I did sailboat rigging in another life!)
For the price of a new cable, I would buy one new....but thats me.
Looks like an electrical terminal end (but beefier) swaged on.
But one side is completely flat...swage and all.
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Old 05-30-2009, 09:07 PM
nobby's Avatar
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Originally Posted by nobby View Post
For the price of a new cable, I would buy one new....but thats me.
Looks like an electrical terminal end (but beefier) swaged on.
But one side is completely flat...swage and all.
If your top of choice is half decent, it should be supplied with new cables and the over the door draft seals.
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  #5  
Old 06-01-2009, 04:35 AM
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Does anyone have a picture of a folded top in the boot?
I have no idea if my old top was ever stowed correctly and I don't want to "train" my new top incorrectly.
Thanks.
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  #6  
Old 06-01-2009, 02:05 PM
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Originally Posted by nobby View Post
Does anyone have a picture of a folded top in the boot?
I have no idea if my old top was ever stowed correctly and I don't want to "train" my new top incorrectly.
Thanks.

I would like to know how to do it properly too.

The wear holes on my top came, I believe, from abrasion while the top was folded. Previous owner had a pair of J-cloths that he put in between the folds. I should have kept doing that!

When my top folds, the rear side windows fold in half. Both have now developed cracks where they get a sharp bend.

There is a hardtop users manual - maybe someone could post a summary of what it says with some pictures?

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85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5
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