CLK-Class (W209) 2003 on: CLK 270 CDI, CLK 200K, CLK 200 CGI, CLK 240, CLK 320, CLK 350, CLK 500, CLK 550 [Coupes & Cabriolets]

W209 convertible roof material problems?! Help

Old May 5, 2018 | 01:24 PM
  #1  
mcewan08's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
CLK320
W209 convertible roof material problems?! Help

In need of some help if someone can,
ive purchased a clk convertible and when the roof retracts the material around the sides of the rear window bulges out, I’ve tried tucking it back in however soon as the roof is dropped it pops out again
Reply
Old May 5, 2018 | 03:42 PM
  #2  
Anker's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 247
Likes: 24
2009 CLK 350
I had the same problem with a small section of the liner. Used Shoe Goo to hold it in the channel. Has worked well so far.
Reply
Old May 5, 2018 | 04:29 PM
  #3  
mcewan08's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
CLK320
Originally Posted by Anker
I had the same problem with a small section of the liner. Used Shoe Goo to hold it in the channel. Has worked well so far.
did you strip the roof off the car to do the repair?
Reply
Old May 5, 2018 | 06:48 PM
  #4  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
That vinyl material is called the water bag. It is supposed to bulge out like that as the rear glass articulates when you open/lower the top. When you raise/close the top, it is supposed to get pulled in place behind the canvas. When it does not do that, it is due to one or more broken elastic straps on the back of the water bag that are attached to the roof frame. If you are well skilled in this sort of repair, you may be able to locate the loose straps and re-rivet them back into place. If not, it's best left to a good canvas shop.
Reply
Old May 5, 2018 | 09:09 PM
  #5  
Anker's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 247
Likes: 24
2009 CLK 350
I think we are describing two different problems, Rodney,

On mine the liner has a metal strip that goes into a channel around the rear window. At one point the strip popped out of the channel. It could be pushed in again and would stay in place for a while, and would then pop out again. I assume there is some kind of adhesive is used to keep it in place and decided that Show Goo would be a good fix. It has held so far.

From the OP's description it sounds like it could be this problem, since the liner will bulge where it has detached.
Reply
Old May 5, 2018 | 09:32 PM
  #6  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
So you are talking about the headliner on the inside of the glass? If so, it is just held into the channel by friction.
Reply
Old May 5, 2018 | 09:34 PM
  #7  
Anker's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 247
Likes: 24
2009 CLK 350
Originally Posted by Rudeney
So you are talking about the headliner on the inside of the glass? If so, it is just held into the channel by friction.
Yes, Rodney. Apparently not enough friction in my case.
Reply
Old May 6, 2018 | 02:45 AM
  #8  
mcewan08's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
CLK320
This is the problem I’m having, its the exterior of the rear window
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 6, 2018 | 08:51 PM
  #9  
dzmitry's Avatar
Senior Member
5 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 478
Likes: 109
From: California
2023 E450 AT, 1996 S420, (sold) 2004 CLK320 Convertible (v8, 6 speed)
Yes, it's a water bag.
Take a look at this
It's explains how to check and replace those water bag (there's a repair kit for them, I bought one for $50 it includes both water bags, in the video you will find all necessary part numbers)
Reply
Old May 6, 2018 | 10:38 PM
  #10  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
OK, so that is the water bag. If it's not leaking, it does not need to be replaced. It is the issue in my post (#4) above.
Reply
Old May 7, 2018 | 02:10 PM
  #11  
mcewan08's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
CLK320
Originally Posted by Rudeney
OK, so that is the water bag. If it's not leaking, it does not need to be replaced. It is the issue in my post (#4) above.
yeah it’s not leaking just popping out. Do you know of there’s a guide to repairing it?
Reply
Old May 7, 2018 | 11:21 PM
  #12  
Rudeney's Avatar
MBworld Guru
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Not really. The problem is, it's almost impossible to even get a good photo of how the straps attach because there are several in a very tight place. Just for grins, take a look at this WI doc for replacing the canvas top (which includes the water bag and straps):

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

Around page 3 is where they talk about attaching the straps to the frame. If you will stop the top operation with the rear glass raised, you can then prop it up with something (I used a cardboard box) and then you can inspect the area. Look for a strap that attaches to the water bag but is hanging loose. It likely ripped off of it's rivet where it was attached to the frame.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:54 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE