Replacing convertible top
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 22
Likes: 2
2008 Clk 350
Replacing convertible top
Hi everyone,
My top started coming apart by the seams like they all tend to do over time. Currently its glued with goop, like I found to do on other threads. The glue is holding up but i want the car to look cleaner. Replacing just the canvas seems like a lot of money so I was thinking of having the whole top assembly (w/o the motor) replaced. These are available from junkyards for a couple hundred dollars.
Is it possible to replace the whole assembly instead of just the canvas and connect it to my current motor? Would you think this costs more or less in terms of labor to install it?
Thanks!
My top started coming apart by the seams like they all tend to do over time. Currently its glued with goop, like I found to do on other threads. The glue is holding up but i want the car to look cleaner. Replacing just the canvas seems like a lot of money so I was thinking of having the whole top assembly (w/o the motor) replaced. These are available from junkyards for a couple hundred dollars.
Is it possible to replace the whole assembly instead of just the canvas and connect it to my current motor? Would you think this costs more or less in terms of labor to install it?
Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,109
Likes: 112
2008 CLK550 Cab
Hi everyone,
My top started coming apart by the seams like they all tend to do over time. Currently its glued with goop, like I found to do on other threads. The glue is holding up but i want the car to look cleaner. Replacing just the canvas seems like a lot of money so I was thinking of having the whole top assembly (w/o the motor) replaced. These are available from junkyards for a couple hundred dollars.
Is it possible to replace the whole assembly instead of just the canvas and connect it to my current motor? Would you think this costs more or less in terms of labor to install it?
Thanks!
My top started coming apart by the seams like they all tend to do over time. Currently its glued with goop, like I found to do on other threads. The glue is holding up but i want the car to look cleaner. Replacing just the canvas seems like a lot of money so I was thinking of having the whole top assembly (w/o the motor) replaced. These are available from junkyards for a couple hundred dollars.
Is it possible to replace the whole assembly instead of just the canvas and connect it to my current motor? Would you think this costs more or less in terms of labor to install it?
Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,109
Likes: 112
2008 CLK550 Cab
No question that the canvas job is a pain unless you do it everyday. Probably about as hard as DIY jobs get, actually. A full 10 on a scale of 1 to 10. Rodney did his himself, and talks about it in thread on here. At least one other person had his old seam sewn. I think labor to do the whole job is in the $2,000 range, and the canvas is about $1,000. Not sure if I'd tackle it myself or not. Not because it's too complex, but because about 20 hours in I'd think about my life ebbing away.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
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NO LONGER ACTIVE
Replacing the entire top is not much easier than replacing just the canvas. In fact, it might be more difficult as you have to remove much of the rear interior and hydraulic system.
If the only problem is the seam, I think I'd find a shop that can fold it back and re-stitch it.
If the only problem is the seam, I think I'd find a shop that can fold it back and re-stitch it.
