View Poll Results: Can the CLK430 Soft Top Be Operated Manually Full-Time
Yes, just use/then reverse the method in the owner's manual
2
50.00%
No, Serious damage could occur
0
0%
Yes, with some modifications
1
25.00%
Keep trying to get it fixed untill a repair "sticks"
1
25.00%
Voters: 4. You may not vote on this poll
Tired of Soft Top Repairs, Is This a Viable Solution?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
2002 CLK430
Tired of Soft Top Repairs, Is This a Viable Solution?
I'm tired of all the troubleshooting and repairs that I'm encountering with my 2002 430 CLK's soft top. Repairs, when they are successful, never last more that a couple months, then back to nothing but a slowly flashing red light on the tops switch in the center console.
How feasible would it be to simply decide that from now on the top was going to be manual? That I would take it up and down using the provided tool when desired? Is there any kind of damage I could do with this method?
Would there be a way to disable the hydraulics as to make the manual opening and closing simpler? Any other modifications necessary?
Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.
How feasible would it be to simply decide that from now on the top was going to be manual? That I would take it up and down using the provided tool when desired? Is there any kind of damage I could do with this method?
Would there be a way to disable the hydraulics as to make the manual opening and closing simpler? Any other modifications necessary?
Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,012
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
Once the pump is released it will work manually as you have done before. It won't be any easier because the top is designed to be moved hydraulically but it will go. You could simply remove the entire pump unit, cycle the top a couple times until all the fluid is done coming out of the lines, and leave it out. But there should be a plug on the pump you loosen to release it from holding pressure against you moving the top manually, without making such a mess.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 390
Likes: 114
From: Seattle, WA
SL500 & GL450
For the 8 months prior to my having stopped driving the W208, I raised and lowered the top multiple times daily. It's just like anything else, the more you do it - the better you become. I can finish the process in an average of about 25 seconds, which really is no big deal. Just keep a 10mm spanner �� and an Allen key handy, and it's not really all that cumbersome. Requires a little muscle to close the top, but it's not too terrible. Just get in the habit of grabbing the top at the front center so it goes up evenly, and it raises a lot easier. With the value of these cars plummeting, it really doesn't make financial sense to keep throwing money at top issues.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,012
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
There are manual releases for almost all of the lock cylinders. The rear ones should be accessible in the trunk, and the front is locked via the screw in the overhead control panel area.
