Hi All; On my 1998 SL500 the top latch cyls. have blown out and are leaking, so I've ordered 2 more. In the mean time I need to lower the top so I can drive it. I have the top tool but no manual (was able to un-latch the fronts to remove them). How do I get the back to open and hide the top?
Thanks for a great site, Richard

On my 1999 SL500 Sport the owners manual has the following info re the soft top storage compartment:
"Raising the soft top manually:
4.Unlock soft top storage compartment lock,located on vehicle right side: Place open-end (tool) wrench on bolt between roll bar and storage compartment cover. Turn (tool) wrench towards rear of car. Open storage compartment cover and place in upright position."

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the help, I was able to find the little unlocking bolts (between roll bar and storage compartment) opened cover and lowered top by hand.

Did you have to raise the roll bar to find these bolts ??

thanks,
P.K.

Here's some more info:

Raising Soft Top Manually
In case of malfunction, the power soft
top can also be raised manually. This
procedure should be performed with
great care by 2 persons.
A combination open-end/ Allen-head
wrench in the vehicle tool kit is
required for this job.
1. Open doors or lower windows.
2. Lower roll bar with roll bar
switch. If the roll bar cannot be
lowered, the soft top can be
carefully guided over the roll
bar.
3. For safety reasons from
steering lock.
Warning!
Do not place your hands near the roll
bar, soft top frame, upper windshield
area or soft top storage compartment
while the soft top is being locked.
Serious personal injury may occur.
4. Unlock left and right soft top
storage compartment locks: Place
open-end wrench on bolt between
roll bar and storage compartment
cover. Turn wrench towards rear
of car (1).
Open storage compartment cover
and place in upright position (2).
5. Pull soft top (3) together with soft
top bow (4) out of compartment.
6. Pull soft top bow (4) out of
compartment.

__________________
5280BENZ
'07 GL450,'03 CL500

Additional info:
#7-#10
7. Place soft top frame (5) onto
windshield header.
8. Place soft top bow (4) in its
vertical position.
9. Pivot sun visors to side.
Remove left and right caps (6).
10. Using Allen-head wrench, lock left
and right of soft top frame (5) to
windshield header - turn wrench in
3 stages towards center of car:
1. Left lock to first notch
2. Right lock to second notch
3. Left lock to second notch.

__________________
5280BENZ
'07 GL450,'03 CL500