balmer

SL 350 the roofed is jammed half open i would be happy if i could manually close it

moretech

see if this helps.

moretech

balmer

thanks for the info, i did forget to say that the roll bar is stuck partially open, and wont move at all.

Aussiesuede

Check the fluid reservoir id the trunk/boot. If it's below the full mark, then you have a leak. The good news in that event is that you can fill the reservoir for purposes of raising the top until you can get the leaking cylinder repaired.

balmer

thanks or the advice, the roll bar is jammed betwee pen and shut

Rudeney

I think I'd try to manually close the roof and then, once it is closed, see if you can get the roll bar to lower with the console buttons.

balmer

hi, many thanks for your informative reply.
I am happy to have my embarresment seen by the world.

Rudeney

So, what was the solution? Low hydraulic fluid? Or did you need to manually lower the roll bar?

balmer

hi, he roll bar is jammed half extended.
I was raising it and it suddenl jammed it and it wont go up or down, using the switches under the roof switch in the centre.
Althogh the motor/hydtraulic pump runs it might just move the boot lid (trunk) but hs no effect on anthing ,
The pump sounds very week
there's plenty of oil in the reservoir,
Would you think a one of those diagnostic checks might help.
mny thanks for your help,
Regards Keith

balmer

forgot to ask how do you manually get the roll bar down?

balmer

hi, he roll bar is jammed half extended.
I was raising it and it suddenl jammed it and it wont go up or down, using the switches under the roof switch in the centre.
Althogh the motor/hydtraulic pump runs it might just move the boot lid (trunk) but hs no effect on anthing ,
The pump sounds very week
there's plenty of oil in the reservoir,
Would you think a one of those diagnostic checks might help.
mny thanks for your help,
Regards Keith

forgot to ask how do you manually get the roll bar down?

bobterry99

Troubleshooting likely involves a combination of having a Star Diagnosis kit, a pressure gauge for measurements of the system, and an hydraulic schematic and knowledge of how to read it. Finding a tech with these qualities may be a challenge.

You remove the rear side panels to expose the roll bar hydraulics. Then you use a pair of screwdrivers or similar to release the catches supporting the bar on both sides while simultaneously pressing down on the bar.

balmer

HI, That sounds like a plan,how do i lift the side panels

balmer

ok stupid question asking how to remove the panel, have done that now and so not sure which lever/s to press

bobterry99

The catches that keep the roll bar in place are held by a torsion spring on both the left and right roll bar supports. When you activate the roll bar for it to move a small hydraulic cylinder on each support pushes against the spring to release the catch. To release a catch use a screwdriver as a lever against each spring to relieve its torque/pressure on each catch.

If it isn't apparent what to do, posting a decent photo of one of the springs for me to mark-up may help.

Rudeney

See if this helps:

http://benzbits.com/r230/ManualRollBarRetraction.pdf

balmer

hi, I'm back, still got big problems, the roof on my 2004 350 SL is now in place, however the roll bar is stuck halfway up.
i paid a garage $350 just to get the roof shut so i coukd use it, tey told me never to comeback again.
so I start again.
Has anyone got any ideas please.

alk247

Apparently, you are not a DIY type (otherwise you would not have paid someone $350 for something that can be done in 10 minutes, if you know what to do). So here are your options the way I see it.

1. Find mechanic familiar with SL and get him to repair the roof.
2. Drive the car as is.
3. Go to the MB dealer.

P.S. I have my roof closed for more than a year now. Not that I cannot fix it, just had other priorities.

balmer

hi, thanks for the prompt quote.
i don't quite understand why need to be quite as outspoken.
i have advertised for a mechanic, i do live away from the main business hubs in my area, so people with knowledge of these vehicles is almost none existent.
yes i am happy to drive the car as it is.
The MB agents charge including tax $250 an hour, and they wouldn't give me a quote as they they don't know what they will find.
now it seems odd that you seem quite happy to be cynical about my situation, but offer no solution.

alk247

Look, there are only two options to fix any car: either do it yourself, or pay someone else to do it. I can fix anything in a car myself (although I do prefer to outsource some of the work, like replacing exhaust system components). So I knew that with such a valuable resource as this and other MB forums, I'll be fine. There were plenty of posts in this thread that gave you an idea, how to deal with the roof, but you still went to some shop and paid $350. It tells me, that you ether do not have skill or desire to work on this car yourself. So you are left with the only option to pay someone else. In your situation I'd go with the option 2, and just drive it as a coup, rather than a roadster. At lest until you can find a reliable MB specialist within reach. I might be totally wrong, and actually you are a skillful DIY-er with garage full of tools (in my case that includes a car lift), then it would make a perfect sense for you to ask how this work can be done. In general terms - you need to figure out what is wrong with you car - most likely one of the hydraulic cylinders developed a leak. After you find the one that failed, you'd have to remove it and send for repairs (or refurbish it yourself). I am about to embark on this adventure, so if you are interested, I can post updates in this thread. Again, the sad truth about 2004 SL is that it is going to take either a lot of $$$$ to keep everything running, or one has to spend a lot of time working on it.

bobterry99

If your goal is to lower the roll bar, well, someone has already posted the instructions for you. As a practical matter, you will have to open the roof, and the manual procedure is the reverse of the close procedure that someone posted for you as well. If you want to open the roof automatically, check what happens when you operate the control switch: (1) does the pump run, and (2) what relevant messages appear in the cluster?

balmer

thanks to both of you for taking the time to reply,
i do not have a fully fitted garage, therefore you can draw the conclusion that i have limited resources and my experience is minimal.
however I'm retired (73) so do have the time.
your help and guidance will be much appreciated..
later today i will give you an up to date explanation as to where I am with this repair.
by the way i am in the UK.