big problem?sl hardtop doesnt close?? - MBClub UK

mabz · 26-06-2012, 06:49 PM

hi guys i have just picked up my standard roof up from the bodyshop as im replacing my pano roof as i prefer the tin-tops on my 98 sl280.the problem im having is it will close perfectly at the rear but the front 2 hinges wont close the roof properly.
has anyone experienced this before or know a solution any help would be greatly appreciated

BTB 500 · 26-06-2012, 07:01 PM

You have got both doors open when fitting the roof?

mabz · 26-06-2012, 07:24 PM

i cant remember now if i had both doors open or just the drivers side,would that make a difference?thanks

mabz · 26-06-2012, 07:34 PM

it did lock on the passenger side for a bit but then rose back up?thses sl's are crazy tech

Sp!ke · 26-06-2012, 09:19 PM

I suggest also checking that the middle pins near the doors were seated correctly.

If they werent fully in, the front section wont latch correctly.

mabz · 26-06-2012, 09:40 PM

the rear latches and middle pins work correctly its literally just the front 2 latches i have read somewhere that they have spacers so it might mean either adding some or take the existing ones away?

BTB 500 · 27-06-2012, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mabz

i cant remember now if i had both doors open or just the drivers side,would that make a difference?thanks

Yes it would - both doors must be open in order to fit the hard top.

**jaymanek** · 27-06-2012, 04:26 PM

also I find that holding the revs up a little helps... especially if the battery is not tip top

redbaron · 27-06-2012, 04:34 PM

have you got the right seals on the roof / car for them to match... the design of the seals changed over the years - if the std top is off an early car it won't just fit.

mabz · 27-06-2012, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbaron

have you got the right seals on the roof / car for them to match... the design of the seals changed over the years - if the std top is off an early car it won't just fit.

ah,this may be the problem the car i have is a 97 sl280 and the standard roof came from a 91 sl500.so the seals must be different as it now latches
both sides at the front but when i take my finger off the button it slides back up?are these seals available from anywhere or does anyone have one?thanks for your help so far guys its much appreciated

redbaron · 27-06-2012, 08:56 PM

they are not cheap... i would email ECP and see if they can get them for you with the forum discount... but they will be hundreds of pounds not tens....

You are aware you are devaluing the car by not having the Pano top?

mabz · 27-06-2012, 09:09 PM

will it de value it by lots not that im that fussed i just prefer the lines with a steel top.how easy is it to remove the seals is it a case of just unscrewing and putting in the new one or is it complicated,sorry for the stupid questions im new to sl's

redbaron · 27-06-2012, 09:13 PM

I don't know - i have never changed the seal... just know that older tops don't fit newer cars due to seal differenced... you would think they would just swap but i wouldn't bet on it...

mabz · 27-06-2012, 09:27 PM

ok mate thanks for your help

Doodle · 27-06-2012, 09:33 PM

To be honest, I'm not entirely sure ECP would have that seal as it's quite specific and not in high demand.

26-06-2012, 06:49 PM	#1
mabz Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: May 2012 Location: cambridgeshire Car: on the hunt for a r129..again Posts: 255	big problem?sl hardtop doesnt close?? hi guys i have just picked up my standard roof up from the bodyshop as im replacing my pano roof as i prefer the tin-tops on my 98 sl280.the problem im having is it will close perfectly at the rear but the front 2 hinges wont close the roof properly. has anyone experienced this before or know a solution any help would be greatly appreciated

26-06-2012, 07:24 PM	#3
mabz Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: May 2012 Location: cambridgeshire Car: on the hunt for a r129..again Posts: 255	i cant remember now if i had both doors open or just the drivers side,would that make a difference?thanks Last edited by mabz; 26-06-2012 at 07:35 PM. Reason: spelling

26-06-2012, 09:19 PM	#5
Sp!ke Administrator Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: West London Car: SL500 & 190E & The Fart Car Posts: 9,790	I suggest also checking that the middle pins near the doors were seated correctly. If they werent fully in, the front section wont latch correctly. __________________ Sp!ke Gallery Pics Here

26-06-2012, 07:01 PM	#2
BTB 500 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Berkshire Car: '97 R129 SL500, '07 Vito 120 Dualiner Long, '96 Audi A4 TDi 110 SE Avant Posts: 13,500	You have got both doors open when fitting the roof?

26-06-2012, 07:34 PM	#4
mabz Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: May 2012 Location: cambridgeshire Car: on the hunt for a r129..again Posts: 255	it did lock on the passenger side for a bit but then rose back up?thses sl's are crazy tech

26-06-2012, 09:40 PM	#6
mabz Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: May 2012 Location: cambridgeshire Car: on the hunt for a r129..again Posts: 255	the rear latches and middle pins work correctly its literally just the front 2 latches i have read somewhere that they have spacers so it might mean either adding some or take the existing ones away?

27-06-2012, 04:26 PM	#8
jaymanek Authorised Forum Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Nuneaton Warwickshire Car: Lots of Mercedes! Posts: 14,492	also I find that holding the revs up a little helps... especially if the battery is not tip top

27-06-2012, 04:34 PM	#9
redbaron Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Cheshire Car: '97 R129 SL 320, '13 F30 320D M-Sport Posts: 1,422	have you got the right seals on the roof / car for them to match... the design of the seals changed over the years - if the std top is off an early car it won't just fit.

27-06-2012, 08:56 PM	#11
redbaron Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Cheshire Car: '97 R129 SL 320, '13 F30 320D M-Sport Posts: 1,422	they are not cheap... i would email ECP and see if they can get them for you with the forum discount... but they will be hundreds of pounds not tens.... You are aware you are devaluing the car by not having the Pano top?

27-06-2012, 09:09 PM	#12
mabz Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: May 2012 Location: cambridgeshire Car: on the hunt for a r129..again Posts: 255	will it de value it by lots not that im that fussed i just prefer the lines with a steel top.how easy is it to remove the seals is it a case of just unscrewing and putting in the new one or is it complicated,sorry for the stupid questions im new to sl's

27-06-2012, 09:13 PM	#13
redbaron Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Cheshire Car: '97 R129 SL 320, '13 F30 320D M-Sport Posts: 1,422	I don't know - i have never changed the seal... just know that older tops don't fit newer cars due to seal differenced... you would think they would just swap but i wouldn't bet on it...

27-06-2012, 09:27 PM	#14
mabz Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: May 2012 Location: cambridgeshire Car: on the hunt for a r129..again Posts: 255	ok mate thanks for your help

27-06-2012, 09:33 PM	#15
Doodle Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: May 2005 Location: West Berkshire Car: '95 R129 SL500, '04 S211 E320CDI w/D6, '97 Landcruiser Colorado, 2010 Ducati MTS1200, '79 BMW R100/7 Posts: 2,336	To be honest, I'm not entirely sure ECP would have that seal as it's quite specific and not in high demand.

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