You might want to contact MBenz about this: he has a 300CE-24 convertible which he has taken to pieces and re-assembled; he also is familiar with the operation of the R129 (SL) hood mechanism. You can get his e-mail from his user profile, his website (
www.mbenz.nl); he doesn't do much on this forum anymore but can be found in the Benzsport forum (
www.benzsport.com). Good luck and nice car!