SL/R230: the roof on my sl 350 is jammed open
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 389
Likes: 113
From: Seattle, WA
SL500
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.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
sl 350
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
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
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
sl 350
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?
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?
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
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.
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.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
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.
If it isn't apparent what to do, posting a decent photo of one of the springs for me to mark-up may help.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
sl 350
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.
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 271
Likes: 23
From: Kirkland, WA
2003 SL500
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.
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.
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.
Last edited by alk247; Jul 9, 2018 at 02:12 PM. Reason: add
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
sl 350
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.
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 271
Likes: 23
From: Kirkland, WA
2003 SL500
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.
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.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
Likes: 393
From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
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?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
sl 350
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.
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.
