Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Body, interior, paint, chrome, and cosmetic items => Topic started by: Typpo on November 25, 2024, 15:56:14

Title: Hardtop Lock Handle Loose
Post by: Typpo on November 25, 2024, 15:56:14
Hi all,
My hardtop's driver side lock handle is loose and it won't lock. The one that locks down the rear portion of the hardtop. It will swing out while driving. Is there an easy way to tighten this or do I have to remove/replace the entire mechanism? I've read posts about removing it and I want to know if that is necessary for just a loose handle that won't lock.
Thanks.
Title: Re: Hardtop Lock Handle Loose
Post by: BobH on November 25, 2024, 17:17:06
Have a look on here, page 6, it may help

https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Restricted/PagodaNotes?action=download&upname=PNv15i3.pdf

You may already have read this post, in case you need to take the latches apart

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=6856.msg43077#msg43077
Title: Re: Hardtop Lock Handle Loose
Post by: Typpo on November 26, 2024, 01:29:34
No these don't help but thank you for your comment. The passenger side locks perfectly and I don't see any visual or functional difference between both sides including the chrome pillar caps. Puzzled.
Title: Re: Hardtop Lock Handle Loose
Post by: Typpo on November 26, 2024, 05:19:36
It just dawned on me that maybe my hardtop is sitting too low on the body and the latch's pin is not catching the chrome pillar cap. And i thought maybe the hardtop seal is old and flattening. So I searched the posts and I found it. https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=2719.msg15207#msg15207

I am going to try the surgical tubing trick to puff up the seal. SO MUCH easier than replacing the seal. Even if it doesn't work, I will only spent a few dollars and a bit of my time. Thank you A Dalton!

Will report again.
Title: Re: Hardtop Lock Handle Loose
Post by: Typpo on November 29, 2024, 04:55:38
It was the old seal that became flat. Instead of surgical tubing, I just cut a piece pf neoprene rubber I had into a strip and inserted in the seal right below the latch. Now the latch locks. I will replace the entire seal when I get to it. For those of you having the same issue, hope this helps.
Title: Re: Hardtop Lock Handle Loose
Post by: Garry on November 29, 2024, 09:30:09
Good outcome and thought out interim solution.


I will move to Body area for future searchs.
Title: Re: Hardtop Lock Handle Loose
Post by: AdelaidePagoda on December 12, 2024, 23:21:44
I have the same issue and will employ this clever hack to temporarily fix it. Not a major issue as I have only ever put the hard top on once in the past three years.