Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: 113gray on July 13, 2004, 14:16:36

Title: Soft Top Cover Malfunction
Post by: 113gray on July 13, 2004, 14:16:36

Group- All of a sudden, my soft top cover won't release to open on the passenger side. It has worked fine in the past & the driver's side still releases OK. I looked at earlier posts & don't see just this situation addressed & have tried to probe both the problem side & thro the access hole in the trunk w/o success. HELP.    -JP-

Title: Re: Soft Top Cover Malfunction
Post by: Cees Klumper on July 13, 2004, 16:34:38

Not sure about this, but I seem to recall a possibility to undo the latch from inside the trunk, through an access hole?

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

Title: Re: Soft Top Cover Malfunction
Post by: 113gray on July 13, 2004, 18:12:57

Hi Cees, yes, as I mentioned, I did try serveral maneuvers thro this access hole in the trunk. No Luck.    -JP-

Title: Re: Soft Top Cover Malfunction
Post by: hauser on July 13, 2004, 18:31:45

You know how sometimes you have a lock or key that doesn't work very well and you keep jiggling the key and all of a sudden you're able to open it. Maybe that may work in this situation. I would try this.  Have someone help. One should keep trying the lever back and forth while the other person tries lifting on the pasenger side top cover.

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

Title: Re: Soft Top Cover Malfunction
Post by: Mike Hughes on July 13, 2004, 18:51:51

Just in case, you might also try gently pushing DOWN on the passenger side of the lid while someone pulls sharply on the lever, and THEN pulling up.  I presume that the top is stowed and it might be putting just a little extra upwards pressure on the lock - just enough to cause the latch to stick!  Once you get it open, lubricate everything on that side well, latch, cable, latch pivots, spring, etc.

- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havanna Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

Title: Re: Soft Top Cover Malfunction
Post by: hands_aus on July 14, 2004, 04:23:39

Have a go at putting a screw driver down the gap between the chrome cover and the body.
It will take a bit of dexterity but you will be able to release the cover latch.

Bob (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

Title: Re: Soft Top Cover Malfunction
Post by: 113gray on July 14, 2004, 05:56:44

Will try all suggestions which are appreciated. Otherwise, I might have a vehicle suited only for "perpetual summer"!   -JP-

Title: Re: Soft Top Cover Malfunction
Post by: 113gray on July 16, 2004, 13:01:50

Final Report: After trying maybe 15-20 times previously with no luck, One final shot of repeated levering the release handle along with applying pressure intermittently to the DS of the cover (opposite to sticking side), she relented and opened herself to me, both sides. I guess it's the foreplay that guarantees success?     -JP-

Title: Re: Soft Top Cover Malfunction
Post by: hauser on July 16, 2004, 13:44:30

Glad to hear mission acclomplished :D . Perhaps she's the type that likes it rough :twisted:

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.