Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => Body, interior, paint, chrome, and cosmetic items => Topic started by: Merc_Girl on June 06, 2022, 21:59:24
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Dear esteemed members
Yet again I am reaching out to you all to assist
Bessy has recently been returned, including the fitting of a new soft top. She has the earlier style of sod top frame with the wooden bow at the rear.
All fits well apart from the canvas over the side windows, where there is a clear gap between the top edge of the frame and the bottom of the canvas. At first glance, it appears to me, with my limited knowledge, that the rubber seal is too thick. Please see attached images
The shop that fitted the roof stated the soft top rubber (over the doors) was not available but that the hard top rubber was exactly the same, and that is what was fitted. They have stated it will stretch in time (not sure how as the gap is significant) or that I remove the rubber strips.
Has anyone else had a similar issue, and if so, what was the remedy? Alternatively, is anyone aware of any experts in the South East England that can resolve this as I have lost faith in the fitters I used
Many thanks
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They have stated it will stretch in time (not sure how as the gap is significant)
Sounds like something out of "Are You Being Served!"
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It's not been fitted by someone who knows what they're doing.....
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It's not been fitted by someone who knows what they're doing.....
My sentiments exactly
Who do you use to fit your hoods?
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We do it in house but we don't pretend to be price competetive because we know how long it takes to do it properly!
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We do it in house but we don't pretend to be price competetive because we know how long it takes to do it properly!
Just PMd you
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I just recently purchased all of the softtop seals from the classic center in US. See attached quote info. My car is an early 280sl, not sure if the seals are different.
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I have replaced two tops myself over and the years, the top supplier should have supplied the rubber gasket strips with he top. These are glued to the headliner at the edge of top over the chrome frame on either side of car. These gasket strips seal the top to the top of the door window frames, where you have the gaps. I can not tell by photos is these rubber strips are glued to your headliner. You do not need the new seals for top of windows, and yes they are the same seals as on the hardtop.
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Additional info. The hardtop window seals have to be cut in half for installation to the soft top frame.
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As I look at the photos again, looks to me that the middle bow is sitting too high on the frame. Gernold Nisius, owner and German Master Mechanic at SL Tech, is an authority on soft tops. Contact him and send him photos he will know the problem. I highly recommend him. Many members have sent him their top frames for repairs and soft top replacements to him with beautiful results. Contact him at: sltechw113.com, tell him Bob Hyatt sent you.
Bob
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As I look at the photos again, looks to me that the middle bow is sitting too high on the frame. Gernold Nisius, owner and German Master Mechanic at SL Tech, is an authority on soft tops. Contact him and send him photos he will know the problem. I highly recommend him. Many members have sent him their top frames for repairs and soft top replacements to him with beautiful results. Contact him at: sltechw113.com, tell him Bob Hyatt sent you.
Bob
Thanks Bob for all the helpful information. I’ll send photos to Gernold to see if he has any ideas
The rubber trim is attached to the headliner, but interestingly it is one one piece, ie not cut. That may explain why putting the roof up and down appears harder to do now 😉
Kind regards
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Are the wires that run from the front screws (the ones exiting the corner of the canvas on the outside) through the edges of both sides pulled taught and tightened under the bolt at the back of the frame?
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Are the wires that run from the front screws (the ones exiting the corner of the canvas on the outside) through the edges of both sides pulled taught and tightened under the bolt at the back of the frame?
Seems to be pretty tight? 😉