I was trying to remove my SL Hardtop and the rear bullet that connects the hard top to the center rear of the bonnet does not release. I have carefully followed the removal instructions several times and did it in the recommended sequence but when we try to remove the top from the rear it is stuck. Is there an access point. I tried through the truck but could not get there. Help, it is nice weather here in NY and I want to get the top off.

Using a Pick-tool or an awl bent at 90 degrees, go in next to the passenger side of the pin and carefully pry the latch toward the passenger side of the car. Once you get it lose, check the release cable. Chances are it has too much slack in it.
Regards,
Randy D.

A while ago I listed a number of posts into my documents so that I could easily reply to similar questions. I wrote this some time ago and it replies to the question asked slightly different but should be some help:

Well I probably have delt with this at least a hundred times.

The immediate solution requires freeing the center post from the retractor lever. Wiggling won't get you anywhere. To release it you have to understand what happens during normal operation.

The big window crank type lever has large strong links to the large strong retractor to pull the top tight in the center. Once the tention is released the smaller POS lever has a Mickey Mouse ability to pull the retractor out of engagement with the center pin of the top.

The almost universal fault here is the origional way the top is removed. The POS lever does not have the strength to pull the retracting lever away from the pin if it is under any tention. When you get done here and have made the easy adjustments to the POS cable, when removing the top the center pin should be released and then retracted before the other four positions are released. This is hard to do as one needs to remember the finished positions when doing this first as you can't feel whats
happening with the top held down.

NOW to get the pin out. It will take three people. Two to lift the roof gently to get enough room for a radiator hose/cotter key tool to be inserted and manuvered next to the pin. Beneath the surface about one inch down is the hook on the pin. The hook on the retractor needs to be pushed with the tool to the outside and then the roof lifted away. This tool is basicaly a quarter inch diameter rod on a screw driver handle with a inch and a quarter right angle bend in the last part which tapers to a point. You put the point against the side of the pin and follow it down (I think from the pass side of the pin - the lever/retractor will be pushed to the passengers side). The notch that is engaged is about one inch down, you will come at the retractor lever from the top and will use the point to work between the two and push the retractor lever off its perch. Its actually easier to explain this than to accomplish it.

When you get it off remember what I said above and adjust the POS cable to fully back off the retractor when it gets to the end of its travel. The cable adjustment will not hold any force so the thing has to be properly adjusted for clearance by the position of the control levers and like I said above it can not be retracted under any tention.
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Hardtop removal
 

Steve;

I'm a big fan; I've read many of your articles in the professional journals. Your sugestions to remove a 107 hardtop are to the point. Been there done that. I personally have found the cable to be broken more times than out of adjustment. My question is:why didn't they just continue the 113 chassis system which in my 30 years experience never failed?

I am sorry for the thread necromancy, but can someone please explain exactly how to get the coat hanger I was told to use in there? The simply do not seem to be enough clearance to rotate it to get it into the hole.

The other method mentioned is to "rotate" the pin. I grabbed it with a vice grip and I am just shredding the metal, the pin does not seem to spin. Also I am unclear why spinning it would help anyway. Isn't it a cylinder?

hardtop removal
 

I have had that problem occasionaly the way I have done it is very simple. I takes three people go through the usual steps when the top is loose lift up in front and rotate the top toward the drivers side. This will move the pins latch cut out toward the front of the car. This will give the hook nothing to catch on. while rotating the top lft up on rear area it should pop out. Just be careful that goes with out being said.

John

You can remove the back liner of the trunk and on the driver side you should be able to access the release cable, albeit somewhat indirectly. Pulling on the release cable with a coat hanger while pulling up on the top works too. You have be really careful rotating the top, but this also can free the pin.