SL/R129: R129 95 sl320 hardtop won't completely latch in the rear
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
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1995 sl320 and 2011 ml350
R129 95 sl320 hardtop won't completely latch in the rear
Need help on this one....my 95 sl320 won't completely latch the rear of the hardtop and the red button on the center console keeps blinking when driving.The soft top has no issue. It latches and unlatches both in the front and rear. Any idea what is causing this problem? Thank you all for your help.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
The rear seal may be dislocated or distorted in a way that prevents the rear latches from pulling it down far enough to lock. Or there may be insufficient hydraulic pressure due to an internal leak in a cylinder or a weak pump.
You might remove the latch pins from the top and insert shims so that less force is required to compress the seal.
You might remove the latch pins from the top and insert shims so that less force is required to compress the seal.
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Eastern Kansas
94 SL 600, 98 993, 89 XJS Conv., 85 Daimlier Princess 16 Hybrid Lincoln 16 Chevy crewcab
bent flange
The times I have been in the situation, the tine on the top was bent so it did not go into the latch as designed.
While this has happened several times with the hard top it also happened with the soft top, too.
I suspect the top in storage had been bumped. So far I have not broken the flange, but have seen forum photos that it has happened.
Each time it is a slight tip from perpendicular, once however the flange was rotated. The soft top problem was related to rebuilt hydraulics not exactly remounted!
The first advice from bobterry99 is still valid, in another R129 hard top the rubber seal had mud daubers nesting in the folds!
While this has happened several times with the hard top it also happened with the soft top, too.
I suspect the top in storage had been bumped. So far I have not broken the flange, but have seen forum photos that it has happened.
Each time it is a slight tip from perpendicular, once however the flange was rotated. The soft top problem was related to rebuilt hydraulics not exactly remounted!
The first advice from bobterry99 is still valid, in another R129 hard top the rubber seal had mud daubers nesting in the folds!
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 57
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1995 sl320 and 2011 ml350
Checked the hydraulic fluid and level is okay. Although at some time, I had experienced of fluid leaked on both sides of the sunvisor cap. It seems the leak had stopped because I haven't experienced it again. Latch pins at the rear of the top look straight and no signs of being bent. Any idea of what to look next to fix the problem. Thanks.
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
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From: Phoenix, AZ
2013 E350 Sport
don't mean to hi-jack but this is the closest post to my issue.
my hardtop pulls down/locks but right rear side is 1/4" higher.
is the leg adjustable in length or is the 1/4" difference acceptable??
this isn't original top.
thanks
my hardtop pulls down/locks but right rear side is 1/4" higher.
is the leg adjustable in length or is the 1/4" difference acceptable??
this isn't original top.
thanks
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
2013 E350 Sport
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
2013 E350 Sport
i understand that....are the shims on the leg or the locking mechanism or someplace else.... could you provide a pic please where the shims are located??
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
The shims are on the legs. To be clear, a leg is one of the four prongs that protrude from the hard top and insert into a latch. The shim can be a thin piece of metal that comes from Mercedes, or it can be washers or something you improvise.
Adding shims lengthens the legs, and when latched the distance between the bottom of the rear edge of the top and the car body increases.
Adding shims lengthens the legs, and when latched the distance between the bottom of the rear edge of the top and the car body increases.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 57
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1995 sl320 and 2011 ml350
Hi Bobterry99,
If the latch pin at the rear of the top is bent, do you have a way to straighten it? Can you just buy a new one to replace the bent one? Don't you think that if you put shim to the latch pins it would even raise more the gap between the bottom edge of the top and the latch hole thus preventing more of locking the latch? The present gap I have right now is like 1/4 inch. Just my thought, but what do you think?
If the latch pin at the rear of the top is bent, do you have a way to straighten it? Can you just buy a new one to replace the bent one? Don't you think that if you put shim to the latch pins it would even raise more the gap between the bottom edge of the top and the latch hole thus preventing more of locking the latch? The present gap I have right now is like 1/4 inch. Just my thought, but what do you think?
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
Suppose the latch pins were removed from the top. If you inserted them into their latches you could lock them down very easily, since there is no interference from the seal. Now imagine those latch pins sitting on their locks but attached to the top with a 2" shim at each pin. It would be just as easy to lock the pins down, because with respect to interference from the seal nothing has changed -- actually, it would be easier, since the weight of the top is pressing-down too.
