SL/R230: Vario roof not working? Might be your Trunk Flap. Easy Fix DIY
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 321
Likes: 63
From: Miami, Fl
08 ML350, 2011 E550 Cab
Vario roof not working? Might be your Trunk Flap. Easy Fix DIY
If your Vario roof stops working one day, it could be that the trunk flap is not sitting tight against the trunk lid. Sensors monitor the positions of these flaps, and these sensors might not be tripped by a flap that is sagging too low. I never had problems with my roof not working, but after reading through various posts of others that had, i decided to check out the condition of my flaps. To my surprise my passenger flap was sagging quite a bit (my drivers side was fine). I then discovered that Mercedes released an updated part to resolve this issue. The new part is heavily reinforced and will resist bending much better than the original part.
Also, don't bother with the adjusting screws as they don't work very well for adjusting the tension of the flap. I ordered the new supporting parts from parts.com. The came as a pair, so i decided to install both sides. This way i will never have to worry about my top being stuck because of a silly cheap part.
Here are some pics and instructions for changing the parts.
The right side took 20 min. , and the left side took 10 min. because i new what i was doing after learning from the right. Basic tools are all that's needed, and very little skill.
Also, don't bother with the adjusting screws as they don't work very well for adjusting the tension of the flap. I ordered the new supporting parts from parts.com. The came as a pair, so i decided to install both sides. This way i will never have to worry about my top being stuck because of a silly cheap part.
Here are some pics and instructions for changing the parts.
The right side took 20 min. , and the left side took 10 min. because i new what i was doing after learning from the right. Basic tools are all that's needed, and very little skill.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA, USA
2005 SL500, 1977 450SL, 2007 Cadillac Escalade
Thanks Nick - I feel I may have to send you a check for all the repairs you're helping me with. BTW the flap and the soft close were both denied repairs by CSC Maxcare 5/70 
Anyway, my question is I'd like to install an MP3 jack (05 SL500) and I've been quoted $600 - or $1k if I don't want to lose my cd changer. 05MY doesn't have a jack in the glove box. From what I understand there's an RCA connector under the cd changer. Any experience with this?
It's amazing how many 'options' there are on a $100k vehicle - my Escalade came with satellite and an MP3 jack. Go GM. Thanks.
Anyway, my question is I'd like to install an MP3 jack (05 SL500) and I've been quoted $600 - or $1k if I don't want to lose my cd changer. 05MY doesn't have a jack in the glove box. From what I understand there's an RCA connector under the cd changer. Any experience with this?
It's amazing how many 'options' there are on a $100k vehicle - my Escalade came with satellite and an MP3 jack. Go GM. Thanks.
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA, USA
2005 SL500, 1977 450SL, 2007 Cadillac Escalade
A little difficult to line up - but very important. The pieces need to fit together snugly before they're secured. Also, make sure the flap is TIGHT against the trunk lid before securing. The adjustment after installation doesn't work well in my experience.
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2007 SL55 AMG 2016 S550 Coupe
Outstanding NikleinR6
Dealer wanted $575.00 to fix. Bought the part for 60 bucks and followed your instructions. Worked like a champ except had a very difficult time lining up everything for the torx bolts. Mine is an 2007 and may be a little different. For whatever reason the Flap itself was preventing me for getting it into position with the flap bracket all the way up. The trunk kept getting in the way. Easy fix,,,,, just pushed in the taps on the back of the flap and removed the screws that held it to the flap. Now I had plenty of room. Put everything back then screwed the flap onto the bracket and snapped the flap back in place. Thanks for your post.
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
From: Michigan, USA
2018 S450, 2019 Range Rover LWB, 2015 Range Rover, 2019 S560 Cabriolet (awaiting delivery)
For whatever reason the Flap itself was preventing me for getting it into position with the flap bracket all the way up. The trunk kept getting in the way. Easy fix,,,,, just pushed in the taps on the back of the flap and removed the screws that held it to the flap. Now I had plenty of room. Put everything back then screwed the flap onto the bracket and snapped the flap back in place. Thanks for your post.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Weeki Wachee, FL
SL550
Just wanted to thank you, NikleinR6, for this amazing posting. Although the dealer agreed to pay for the bulk of the repair (since it broke the day after I bought the car used), it was a great relief to understand the problem when I drove into the dealership, also knowing that I could fix it myself if need be. Thanks again for a great posting.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Weeki Wachee, FL
SL550
Mine was also a 2007 SL550. I showed the dealer this posting and the sagging flap on my car, and he knew immediately what to do. There's a repair kit available, and I'd guess they're all the same, independent of model year. If you go out to parts.com you'll find the parts, as shown in the posting.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
sl550
Mine was also a 2007 SL550. I showed the dealer this posting and the sagging flap on my car, and he knew immediately what to do. There's a repair kit available, and I'd guess they're all the same, independent of model year. If you go out to parts.com you'll find the parts, as shown in the posting.
Last edited by RMBMW; Jun 11, 2012 at 02:34 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Weeki Wachee, FL
SL550
Cost me about $350, with the dealer supposedly splitting the cost with me. They said it requires several hours work to install the new part and to go thru repeated raise/lowers to get the parts adjusted right. I figured I'd let them do it, just to be sure it was done right (after all, it was only the second day I owned the car, and I was anxious to use the convertible top).
Anyway, I think the actual black rod shown in the photos above may be called a "toothed rack", according to another site:
http://www.justanswer.com/mercedes/2...flap-boot.html
Anyway, I think the actual black rod shown in the photos above may be called a "toothed rack", according to another site:
http://www.justanswer.com/mercedes/2...flap-boot.html
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
sl550
Cost me about $350, with the dealer supposedly splitting the cost with me. They said it requires several hours work to install the new part and to go thru repeated raise/lowers to get the parts adjusted right. I figured I'd let them do it, just to be sure it was done right (after all, it was only the second day I owned the car, and I was anxious to use the convertible top).
Anyway, I think the actual black rod shown in the photos above may be called a "toothed rack", according to another site:
http://www.justanswer.com/mercedes/2...flap-boot.html
Anyway, I think the actual black rod shown in the photos above may be called a "toothed rack", according to another site:
http://www.justanswer.com/mercedes/2...flap-boot.html
EDIT: Also, I think the part is called the mounting plate right?
Last edited by RMBMW; Jun 12, 2012 at 10:37 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Brea, CA
SL500
Awesome proceedure! I ordered the part from parts.com, cost $48.99 with CA tax and shipping 
Took me 25 min on first side (reading, thinking, tool collection), then less than 10 for the second!
Took me 25 min on first side (reading, thinking, tool collection), then less than 10 for the second!
Last edited by purefct; Oct 8, 2012 at 11:08 PM. Reason: Bumping to subscribe
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
2003 500SL
Did my wifes a couple of years ago. Dealer wanted $875.00. Parts were less than $50.00 and took less than 30 minutes for both sides. 20,000 miles later still works great. Called back the dealer and let into them. They tried to play it off as "critical adjustments", alot of us must just be lucky.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
04 SL500
After checking my flaps, the left one is definitely the problem. I went to AutoParts .com and keyed in the product number. It located it but said their records don't match my model. I have an 04 SL 500. Do you think it's because its an updated part? I would hate to order it and it be wrong.
Thanks for any info you can give me
Thanks for any info you can give me
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Brea, CA
SL500
After checking my flaps, the left one is definitely the problem. I went to AutoParts .com and keyed in the product number. It located it but said their records don't match my model. I have an 04 SL 500. Do you think it's because its an updated part? I would hate to order it and it be wrong.
Thanks for any info you can give me
Thanks for any info you can give me
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas & SFO
2003 SL 500 / 2000 SL 500 / 1991 300 SL. / 1968 280 SL
Roof not working...quick fix thanx...
Wow...that was a quick fix as I ordered the parts from parts.com which actually came from a MBZ dealer in the Midwest. Then followed the install steps and within 20 Minutes it was fixed..the post about removing the flap made the install real easy..
Thank you all and I am sure this saved hundreds of dollars and wasted time.
Great forum tuturial...
Regards,
Bruce
Thank you all and I am sure this saved hundreds of dollars and wasted time.
Great forum tuturial...
Regards,
Bruce
