82 380sl top removal problem
 

I’m sure this has been addressed before, but I couldn’t find it. Is the database searchable?
OK, we got the two securing points at the windshield, the two near the door, but having problems with the locking pin at the rear of the top. When the lever is turned, you can hear it relase, but it won’t release completely. It lifts about half an inch, but something is still holding it.
We tried wiggling, rotating the top, etc...to no avail.
Can anyone help me?
Thank you.

Did you flip the second lever behind the crank down? It pulls the latch to the side so you can lift the top off.

560SL Hard Top and Soft Top Instructions

You might try posting questions about 107 SL in the SL forum here or on Benzworld in the 107 forum (most active)

We did that, but no release. I’ll go out and check it again, just to be sure. brb

Tried it...no luck, but thanks.

It's not unknown for the latch to bind up and fail to get out of the way. There are several threads on the SL subforum dealing with the various issues. Even when working properly, that rear catch is a PITA most of the time.

The last stage of the release is not working. If you can have someone lift the rear of the top a couple of inches like you mentioned, you can carefully use a screw driver or something similar to move the hook to one side(the driver's side) and it will release. The clip that holds the cable housing in place has come undone.

And I bet putting that clip back in place is a big job?

The whole mechanism is visible when you get the top off and the soft top cover lifted. The big job is getting the top off first...

The clip is usually laying next to the end of the cable under the lid. It takes all of a couple of minutes to fasten it back on. I've done this job probably a hundred or so times for customers. The whole job, including getting the top off takes about 10 minutes. After you get the top off and see how it all works, you'll see how easy it is. The main cause for this is from pulling on the smaller release handle too hard. You just need to gently pull it with limited travel for the last release stage.