SL/R129: Struggle to close one of the front soft top latches
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 75
From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
Struggle to close one of the front soft top latches
This problem has been developing over the last year or so.
Symptoms likely related.
First noticed that there was a hesitation in the front right latch from grabbing ... so I would tug down gently on the center grips to encourage latching.
That effort progressively got more difficult- till I thought the pin needed to be re-alighted with the grabber mechanism. I tried to do that ... with little result.
The condition deteriorated to where when the left side is in position for normal grab - the right would be separated and need a very firm tug with the handl to engage & lock.
Now it is guide a bit of effort to close a 1” gap on the right hand side ... I do not want to break the plastic grab handle ... my wife can not do it on here own.
Is this a top frame twist problem?
Is it a top fabric shrinkage problem (top fabric is 12 years old)?
Or does it sound like a hydraulic problem - signal, cylender, fluid level ???
Has any one encountered & managed to fix this condition.
Other than the right front corner - top function is hood.
Symptoms likely related.
First noticed that there was a hesitation in the front right latch from grabbing ... so I would tug down gently on the center grips to encourage latching.
That effort progressively got more difficult- till I thought the pin needed to be re-alighted with the grabber mechanism. I tried to do that ... with little result.
The condition deteriorated to where when the left side is in position for normal grab - the right would be separated and need a very firm tug with the handl to engage & lock.
Now it is guide a bit of effort to close a 1” gap on the right hand side ... I do not want to break the plastic grab handle ... my wife can not do it on here own.
Is this a top frame twist problem?
Is it a top fabric shrinkage problem (top fabric is 12 years old)?
Or does it sound like a hydraulic problem - signal, cylender, fluid level ???
Has any one encountered & managed to fix this condition.
Other than the right front corner - top function is hood.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 326
Likes: 47
From: Yorba Linda CA
94 SL320 98 SL500 99 SL600 07 SL55
Loosen the front pins enough they can move with pressure then close the top. They will latch, then open and tighten them in place. This is very common on the R129 tops.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 75
From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
It is not so much a pin location or lock syncing problem ... as a failure to close enough on the passenger side - to engage the locking routine.
