Author Topic: Help: new soft top for early 230SL doesn’t appear to fit  (Read 2362 times)

Merc_Girl

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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





230SL

Mike Hughes

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Re: Help: new soft top for early 230SL doesn’t appear to fit
« Reply #1 on: June 07, 2022, 04:48:07 »
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!"
- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
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stickandrudderman

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Re: Help: new soft top for early 230SL doesn’t appear to fit
« Reply #2 on: June 07, 2022, 07:05:18 »
It's not been fitted by someone who knows what they're doing.....

Merc_Girl

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Re: Help: new soft top for early 230SL doesn’t appear to fit
« Reply #3 on: June 07, 2022, 10:04:53 »
It's not been fitted by someone who knows what they're doing.....

My sentiments exactly
Who do you use to fit your hoods?
230SL

stickandrudderman

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Re: Help: new soft top for early 230SL doesn’t appear to fit
« Reply #4 on: June 07, 2022, 10:49:51 »
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!

Merc_Girl

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Re: Help: new soft top for early 230SL doesn’t appear to fit
« Reply #5 on: June 07, 2022, 11:50:33 »
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
230SL

Lorsar

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Re: Help: new soft top for early 230SL doesn’t appear to fit
« Reply #6 on: June 07, 2022, 13:39:20 »
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.
Lori
1968 280SL (US)

zoegrlh

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Re: Help: new soft top for early 230SL doesn’t appear to fit
« Reply #7 on: June 08, 2022, 00:52:13 »
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. 
Robert Hyatt
Williamsburg, VA.

W113, 1970 280SL, Red leather 242 on Silver Gray Met. 180, 4-speed stick, Euro spec, restored
R172 2012 SLK350, Black Premium leather 801 on Mars Red 590, 7-speed auto
W211, 2007 E320 Bluetec, Cashmere MB Tex 144 on Arctic White 650, 7 speed auto

zoegrlh

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Re: Help: new soft top for early 230SL doesn’t appear to fit
« Reply #8 on: June 08, 2022, 00:56:22 »
Additional info. The hardtop window seals have to be cut in half for installation to the soft top frame.
Robert Hyatt
Williamsburg, VA.

W113, 1970 280SL, Red leather 242 on Silver Gray Met. 180, 4-speed stick, Euro spec, restored
R172 2012 SLK350, Black Premium leather 801 on Mars Red 590, 7-speed auto
W211, 2007 E320 Bluetec, Cashmere MB Tex 144 on Arctic White 650, 7 speed auto

zoegrlh

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Re: Help: new soft top for early 230SL doesn’t appear to fit
« Reply #9 on: June 08, 2022, 12:26:39 »
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
Robert Hyatt
Williamsburg, VA.

W113, 1970 280SL, Red leather 242 on Silver Gray Met. 180, 4-speed stick, Euro spec, restored
R172 2012 SLK350, Black Premium leather 801 on Mars Red 590, 7-speed auto
W211, 2007 E320 Bluetec, Cashmere MB Tex 144 on Arctic White 650, 7 speed auto

Merc_Girl

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Re: Help: new soft top for early 230SL doesn’t appear to fit
« Reply #10 on: June 08, 2022, 20:10:12 »
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
230SL

GM

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Re: Help: new soft top for early 230SL doesn’t appear to fit
« Reply #11 on: June 08, 2022, 20:27:07 »
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?
« Last Edit: June 08, 2022, 21:00:10 by GM »
Gary
1971 280SL - Sold
(98 from the end of production)
DB180 Silver Gray Metallic
Black MB Tex

Merc_Girl

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Re: Help: new soft top for early 230SL doesn’t appear to fit
« Reply #12 on: June 08, 2022, 22:11:54 »
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? 😉
230SL