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Top Down - What is the little hinging cover called?
Hi, Newbie 03 SL500 owner. Just fixed the floppy flap (of course drooped while wife driving and roof wouldn't open). Thanks all for that information! What is the little cover that hinges during motion called and p/n for it? Unable to search since i cannot find this part in the parts drawings on line. Picture is of missing one on drivers side. My friend said there is a technique to fix the broken hinges... Thx, Alan
I was asked to post the 3D model I used for my roof flap hinge., so here it is.
It's in STL format, and can be printed on any 3D printer. I suggest printing it in ABS plastic, as PLA has pretty low softening temperature point, and under a hot sun, will probably deform or break.
I printed my with 100% solid infill, so it's solid plastic, and it's still working today.
However, I was successful in simply applying a thin bead of clear silicone along the length of the hinge and letting it cure 24 hours with the top open and the flap in the down/closed position. You might give this a try. The silicone is flexible enough to allow the flap to open when the top is closed.
Thanks so much!! Guess I'll get used to it unless i find the mssing piece... One of these days I'll locate a good source for used parts, seems like there should be plenty from 03-07. Could use a 3rd brake light too, lense is just crumbly around the edge...
Before I took delivery of my '05 the third rear was crumbly and it leaked taking out the trunk soft close assembly, PSE and roof pumps. All replaced at the dealers cost prior to my signing.
Had they replaced the ~$125 light - it would have saved them a few grand.
I was asked to post the 3D model I used for my roof flap hinge., so here it is.
It's in STL format, and can be printed on any 3D printer. I suggest printing it in ABS plastic, as PLA has pretty low softening temperature point, and under a hot sun, will probably deform or break.
I printed my with 100% solid infill, so it's solid plastic, and it's still working today.
I wanted to give Dudeman a huge thank you for the posted zip file and his idea for this repair. I found a local 3D printer service and had 6 of these made. We were not sure if there was a difference between right and left, so they also made 3 mirrored hinges. Turns out we could not tell the difference, so one size fits all. I had some extras made in case I broke them during installation. Turns out these things are very tough. The hardest part was getting the spring wound. I used a spring hook and was able to do it on my second try. I am keeping one as a spare and will sell the remaining 4 for $20.00 shipped each. I will trust the buyer to mail me a check as I don't use paypal ever. Here are some pics...
1988 BMW M5, 1989 BMW M3, 1979 Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9, 2006 SL55 AMG w/ P30 Performance Pack
I'm glad there is an alternative to buying entire used panels from Ebay or junkyards just to have the flap back! ($275-$375 each!) My car was already missing both sides when I bought it last month. Honestly I didn't even notice these panels were missing since I've never owned an R230 before. I found repair kits when I first found out about this flaw but, they only work if you still have the panels.
I have other maintenance issues to deal with that are more important than this cosmetic defect so I'm going to hold off. Thanks for sharing.
I am a little surprised Mercedes takes no responsibility for the poor design of this part. This part is defective in design and was destined to fail in a very short time. The spring pressure is far to strong for the puny little plastic tabs of the original design. That being said I want to thank Dudeman for posting up the 3D printer file for the repair part. I just had some made out of HD ABS plastic and i assure you these will far outlast the parts from Mercedes that sell for over $300.00 each wholesale. Thanks for the help and for this website.
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
Originally Posted by Nitro1
I am a little surprised Mercedes takes no responsibility for the poor design of this part. This part is defective in design and was destined to fail in a very short time. The spring pressure is far to strong for the puny little plastic tabs of the original design. That being said I want to thank Dudeman for posting up the 3D printer file for the repair part. I just had some made out of HD ABS plastic and i assure you these will far outlast the parts from Mercedes that sell for over $300.00 each wholesale. Thanks for the help and for this website.
yea the mb ones are POS. my car has already gone through 4 (2 on each side) in 88k and 14 years.
I had mine held in place with Gorilla tape, fashioned in such a way that it would hold the flap closed, but it got weak and then the flap started "flapping" in the wind. I removed that and got a band of elastic. I attached it with rivets to the flap and the paneling. So far, so good. However, I will eventually buy a whole new panel (comes with a new flap installed) because the Amaretta/MB-tex is getting all wrinkled from sun exposure.
Hello everyone, I sold my SL55 and have been very busy with other projects. I have been getting a lot of request for these hinges, but just don't have the time to have these made anymore. So I want to share my source. He is a very nice man, please feel free to contact him directly and tell him you would like to re-order Greg Clark's hinge flap.
09-29-2014, 02:44 PM
