Author Topic: Soft Top Stuck...the rest of the story!  (Read 1616 times)

ChrisInNashville

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Soft Top Stuck...the rest of the story!
« on: May 22, 2021, 19:38:27 »
So, a little while ago, I posted an SOS since the rear bow of my soft top was jammed and wouldn’t fold up.




I deleted the post when I found some outstanding instructions in the technical manual
https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Tops/SoftTop

But, it still didn’t work.   In the technical manual, there’s a sequence noted and then an addendum referencing a “release lever” in ‘70/‘71 models.  My ‘69 has the release lever.   Using the release lever, I was able to partially fold the top, but the rear bow was still jammed.

I simply grabbed some rope and threaded it around the soft top frame including the rear bow and pulled hard and that unjammed everything.

A happy ending for my day...
‘69 280 SL
‘24 GLE450e
Tennessee, USA

cabrioletturbo

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Re: Soft Top Stuck...the rest of the story!
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2021, 19:56:45 »
It happened to me once, when I was the first time user.

Ideally, you want the whole roof assembly to pivot out of the compartment. Once you clear the softop compartment lid, you want to get the lid down and secured. From thereon is easy.

If you get stuck, much like your picture shows, I notice it helps to put the soft top back into the compartment and try slowly to pivot it out of the compartment. It may require some force, but the frame is flexible enough to come out of there.


Igor
1965 W113 230SL, Ivory with Black

ChrisInNashville

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Re: Soft Top Stuck...the rest of the story!
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2021, 20:01:46 »
Agreed.  In this case, it happened while I was folding it and it wouldn’t allow me to complete the fold.  It got 95% folded, but wouldn’t get all the way and there was no place for me to get my hands around things to apply force.  Alas, I’m happy...but sore for 30 minutes of trying to force it before I found the technical manual
‘69 280 SL
‘24 GLE450e
Tennessee, USA

GM

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Re: Soft Top Stuck...the rest of the story!
« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2021, 20:05:03 »
I don't know if he still has them, but mrfatboy used to sell a "bow buddy" that works beautifully!
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=29865.msg216324#msg216324
Gary
1971 280SL - Sold
(98 from the end of production)
DB180 Silver Gray Metallic
Black MB Tex

ChrisInNashville

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Re: Soft Top Stuck...the rest of the story!
« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2021, 20:13:21 »
What an awesome invention!
‘69 280 SL
‘24 GLE450e
Tennessee, USA

mrfatboy

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Re: Soft Top Stuck...the rest of the story!
« Reply #5 on: May 22, 2021, 21:10:29 »
Thanks for the kind words. I sold out of all my Bow Buddies over a year ago. It is a life saver 👍.

Maybe I should make more? 🤷‍♂️
1969 280sl (Aug 1968 build)
Signal Red
4 Speed

ChrisInNashville

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Re: Soft Top Stuck...the rest of the story!
« Reply #6 on: May 22, 2021, 21:21:15 »
Thanks for the kind words. I sold out of all my Bow Buddies over a year ago. It is a life saver 👍.

Maybe I should make more? 🤷‍♂️
Maybe you should  ;D
‘69 280 SL
‘24 GLE450e
Tennessee, USA

mnahon

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Re: Soft Top Stuck...the rest of the story!
« Reply #7 on: May 23, 2021, 02:52:05 »
I'd be in for one...
Meyer Nahon
Montreal, Canada
1968 MB 280SL Auto Euro LHD Silver
2021 Tesla Model 3

AndrewB

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Re: Soft Top Stuck...the rest of the story!
« Reply #8 on: May 23, 2021, 07:24:39 »
Count me in for two please !
1969 280SL
1970 280SL (undergoing restoration)
1971 Range Rover Suffix A Kingsley Restomod
1987 500SL
2002 Porsche 996 Targa
2011 Landrover Defender TdCi
2019 Mercedes S560 Cabriolet

ChrisInNashville

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Re: Soft Top Stuck...the rest of the story!
« Reply #9 on: May 23, 2021, 19:24:05 »
Thanks for the kind words. I sold out of all my Bow Buddies over a year ago. It is a life saver 👍.

Maybe I should make more? 🤷‍♂️
Count me in ;)
‘69 280 SL
‘24 GLE450e
Tennessee, USA

mrfatboy

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Re: Soft Top Stuck...the rest of the story!
« Reply #10 on: May 23, 2021, 19:56:08 »
If there is enough interest by June 1, 2021, my wife and I will consider making another batch  ;D

Please go to this thread and let me know if interested.

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=29865.msg216324#msg216324



1969 280sl (Aug 1968 build)
Signal Red
4 Speed