Stuart Crisp

My roof closes fine but at the very last moment when the fabric tucks into the rear windscreen, a small section of material about the size of half a golf ball bunches up and sits as a clump on the outside edge of the rear windscreen on the lower right hand corner. If I stop the mechanism from closing the roof completely I can manually tuck the material away and it can then be closed correctly, so there doesn't appear to be any obstruction. Does anyone know how to fix this? Thanks. Stuart

Rudeney

Hi Stuart, welcome to the forum.

This is most likely caused by a broken strap that is designed to pull in the water bag. The water bag is a vinyl pouch that surrounds the rear glass to keep things waterproofed. You can see it stretch out as the rear glass articulates during opening and closing. There are several fabric and elastic straps on the rear of the water bag and the adjacent soft top on the C-pillar that properly pull all of this in place as the glass closes. If any of those straps breaks, or the elastic gives out, the bag won't be pulled in.

If you are so skilled, you may be able to stop the roof in mid-opening or closing with the rear glass raised and inspect the area to locate a loose strap. The straps are riveted to specific locations on the frame, and some of those can be pretty deep within the mechanisms and hard to see. Also, be careful as the glass will lower itself after 30 seconds or so when the hydraulic pressure is automatically released. If this is beyond your expertise, you might want to refer to an upholstery shop that works with convertible tops (most of the modern ones are pretty much the same - there's nothing special about the CLK's).

Stuart Crisp

Dear Rudeney, thank you very much for this advice. I will investigate as per your guidance later in the week when I get a free moment. Will I get a better view of the straps and access to where the problem is by sitting on the rear seats and looking from the inside or by standing outside the car? Thanks again, much appreciated. Stuart

Rudeney

I'm not sure. There's a lot going on in there. When I replace my top canvas, I did all the work from outside. I think I once got inside and the view was pretty much blocked by headliner.

Stuart Crisp

Hello again Rudeney

I got hold of some elasticated strap material to fix the roof and think that I am up to sorting it out myself but I really could do with a diagram + instructions to explain what bit fixes to what.

Do you have any idea where I can get hold of appropriate instructions?

Thanks again for your help.

Stuart

Rudeney

I used WIS when I replaced my canvas:

http://benzbits.com/w209/soft_top/ReplaceCanvas.pdf

I can tell you that when I got into the C-pillar straps and bands and water pocket, it was almost useless - there's just too much going on in there for any photos or descriptions to make sense. Have you identified the broken strap? Also, there is a wire in there that helps pull it in place - that could be broken, too.

Stuart Crisp

Thank you for the link Rudeney. You are right, there's a real spaghetti job in there. I have identified the broken elasticated straps, it's just that it isn't obvious which is the right end to connect to another broken end.

If I get in a pickle I may resort to getting someone who knows what they are doing to look at it for me. I live in Northamptonshire (PE8) ... any idea where I may find a local soft top specialist?

Thanks again.

Stuart

Rudeney

Sorry, I can't help with an installer in your area, but you might start here:

http://www.robbinsautotopco.com/distributors.php

Robbins makes very high quality replacement tops, and their local distributor might be an installer, or at least could point you to one. That's who I'd use.

As for the strap, if it's the elastic that is broken, you should be able to find the other end of it. One end will be stitched to the water bag, the other will be riveted to part of the frame. If it broke at the rivet point, you might be able to fix that by knocking off the old rivet and re-attaching it - there should be enough slack in the elastic strap for that to work. If it broke at the water back stitching, then you'll probably need a new water bag. if it broke halfway, you may be able to use a two-sided plastic rivet to mend the pieces together. Again, you'll loose some length by overlapping the elastic, but there should be enough slack.

MB_CLK55_AMG

Skiingbuffy

If it’s the elastic straps at the water bag end you can just superglue them back in place.

MBGeez

I too have this issue on a new to me CLK350 and I’m willing to try and locate the strap or other bits in need of repair. Yesterday I found a round plastic piece in the cover well that may be part of a rivet or strap assembly. The piece does not appear to be broken but was definitely loose. This thread is leading me in the right direction.
A question I have if you or anyone else can help...........if the car is running, do I need to be concerned about leaving the assembly in a partially open position? Am I making assumptions on how the hydraulics work? It may take some time to locate, access and make a proper repair and I don’t want to risk damaging any of the hydraulics.
Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Corske

You don’t have to leave the car running, the system will automatically release the pressure after 20 secs.
Also I am about to do this job as well, I got the 1/2 inch wide elastic band and ready to sew it. Have you already figured it out?

I was also wondering what parts I have to remove to get to the rivets ...

MBGeez

I haven’t tackled this one as of yet but will approach it soon now that I know I can just leave the soft-top and tonneau in an open position hydraulically. Mine is actually acting more normal the past few days since I tucked the water-bag in upon taking ownership and have been “exercising” the top somewhat frequently. It probably didn’t do any good that the prior owner simply ignored it and allowed the bag to stick out which reeks havoc on the weather strip. I have the w.s pretty much back to a normal lay position through the use of a heat gun, shims and massaging, I’ll keep you informed as I too move through this repair.

I located the strap today on the damaged side and did a comparison with the good side. The strap on the intact side feels as if it goes into a slot within the framework...........I can’t say for sure because it’s well hidden. I do not feel a strap in the slot on the other side so that’s probably long gone. Until I can figure out the way to expose that attachment point I’m at a standstill. I don’t intend on removing a gaggle of screws without understanding the consequences of doing so.