softtop not proper fixated

[450sl]

My newly covered softtop jumps loose after firmlly closing the door , have tried all kinds of settings of the springloaded fixationhook but to no avail.

Cannot find any previous forumtalk about this  , so hints would be greatly appreciated Gentlemen.

Thanks Mark 

[Cees Klumper]

Indeed I can't recall this having come up as a problem before (that's not to say that it hasn't but it's not a common problem for sure). Could it be that the latch is damaged/worn? I've never really looked closely at this, so just guessing. Have you checked whether replacement parts are still available? If not too expensive, may be worth just to replace rather than continuing to fiddle.

[450sl]

Hi Cees, Thanks for your response. 

Both latches are in good nick.
I think the problem is too much strain on the lathes because of a spanking new unstretched softtopcover ( car has not left the building yet).

This brings me to the reason i've asked ; Does someone know of an exact adjustment procedure?

But maybe the problem disappears over time       

Mark

[awolff280sl]

There is a small seal ring that fits over the stem of each latch. I use the rubber washers for garden hoses. Once the latches are closed, they hold them tight. Hope that helps.

[Mike K]

I recently had a similar problem with my soft top popping open at the back. On close inspection, the problem appeared to be the forward or rearward position of the bottom latch which hooks onto the soft top hook, it wasn't aligning properly, hence it popping open.
 
I repaired it as follows:
Unfastened all 4 bolts and inserted some washers which act as spacers and adjust the position of the latch.
If I recall correctly there’s also the possibility of some lateral adjustment of the latch.
I’ll try and post a pic later today.

This worked and I've had no issue since.

Best,

Mike

[Mike K]

OK I went and had a look at the car and now remember what I did.

Removed the 4 bolts which hold the latch box to the back panel, opened it up and then inserted a washer/spacer (circled in the pic below) to align the latch with the hook on the soft top.
There's probably some trial & error involved, I was lucky it worked the first time.

[450sl]

Thanks alot Andy and Mike.

Mike, in your picture i see the bowdencable-fixationblock  is in the utmost left position of the opencut slideway.

On mine it is in the middle position ; now i am wondering what effect this will have ......

Mark

[Mike K]

Mark- it may be that with the bowdencable-fixationblock sitting in the middle position, there's not enough tension on the hook and that may be the cause of the problem.
I guess the best way to check this, is to push the hook back and forth and feel how much tension/spring there is on it.

I'll be doing some tinkering on the car tomorrow, I'll check the tension on the hook and report back.

Best,

Mike

[450sl]

Wonder if more forum members could confirm the position of their bowdenfixblock ?   thanks Mark