SL/R230: 2003 SL500 trunk flaps
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 67
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From: orlando, Fl. area
2003 SL500
2003 SL500 trunk flaps
My SL top stopped working and I’ve read replacing the side flaps ( mine are broken with age) will do the trick. Question where can I find said flaps??
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Joined: Aug 2020
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From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
The side flaps of concern are the large flaps mounted on the trunk lid. They fold out to fill in the rear deck when the roof is down. You might be thinking of the smaller flaps that cover the frame openings, these are just cosmetic and will not affect roof operation.
The large flaps are deployed by an electric motor, cables, and rack and pinion gear sets. While they do fail, they usually fail during deployment or stowage and prevent the trunk from closing. What are the symptoms of your roof, does it move at all?
The large flaps are deployed by an electric motor, cables, and rack and pinion gear sets. While they do fail, they usually fail during deployment or stowage and prevent the trunk from closing. What are the symptoms of your roof, does it move at all?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 67
Likes: 1
From: orlando, Fl. area
2003 SL500
The side flaps of concern are the large flaps mounted on the trunk lid. They fold out to fill in the rear deck when the roof is down. You might be thinking of the smaller flaps that cover the frame openings, these are just cosmetic and will not affect roof operation.
The large flaps are deployed by an electric motor, cables, and rack and pinion gear sets. While they do fail, they usually fail during deployment or stowage and prevent the trunk from closing. What are the symptoms of your roof, does it move at all?
The large flaps are deployed by an electric motor, cables, and rack and pinion gear sets. While they do fail, they usually fail during deployment or stowage and prevent the trunk from closing. What are the symptoms of your roof, does it move at all?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 365
From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
The pieces that are off are just cosmetic. You can try ebay for replacements, but that is not going to fix your roof. The bases of the flaps are up tight against the trunk lid, so the flaps don't look like the source of your problems. However, the trunk pictures appear to show hydraulic fluid in the trunk, so probably a cylinder leak that is the real cause of your roof issues. The first to go in the rear is usually one of the frame lock cylinders. Have you checked the fluid level on your roof pump?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 67
Likes: 1
From: orlando, Fl. area
2003 SL500
The pieces that are off are just cosmetic. You can try ebay for replacements, but that is not going to fix your roof. The bases of the flaps are up tight against the trunk lid, so the flaps don't look like the source of your problems. However, the trunk pictures appear to show hydraulic fluid in the trunk, so probably a cylinder leak that is the real cause of your roof issues. The first to go in the rear is usually one of the frame lock cylinders. Have you checked the fluid level on your roof pump?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 365
From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
The $50 part is a pair of covers for the rack and pinion drives. The original covers tend to deflect and allow the gears to ratchet. P/N is 2307500111, but yours look like they may already be upgraded. Generally if the base of the flap is tight to the trunk lid, you don't have a problem with those gears.
Does your roof do anything when you try to open it?
Does your roof do anything when you try to open it?
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Joined: Jun 2017
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