SL/R230: Some help for a friend (Roof related)
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 124
Likes: 29
From: Celebration FL
2007 Mercedes SL55 AMG
Some help for a friend (Roof related)
Hey guys,
Shortly after I got my SL55, a work colleague purchased an SL500, which is/was in quite nice condition, anyways he calls a week later complaining his roof was painfully sluggish and would take about 30 seconds to operate whilst the pump made an awful noise according to him it sounded like the motor was dying. I told him he should not operate the roof anymore and take it to a shop. My advice went over his head as last night I got another phone call, his roof was down but wouldn't go back up. Anyways, I had to go and help manually close the roof... VERY FUN JOB. Hour drive as well, thankfully the SL55 isn't slow... Now, this is where things have possibly gone BAD. I told him to wait whilst I go home and bring my DAS so we can close the flaps... I get a phone call as I'm coming back saying hey, no need I closed them myself. It turns out he slowly forced the flaps back so he could close the trunk. I get his wife was getting annoyed because of "car" but would you say the flaps are toast or is it still worth me going over to use my DAS to close them properly? I just don't like to see nice cars get neglected, oh and I guess he's a good person too... Just, not all that knowledgeable with cars.
Shortly after I got my SL55, a work colleague purchased an SL500, which is/was in quite nice condition, anyways he calls a week later complaining his roof was painfully sluggish and would take about 30 seconds to operate whilst the pump made an awful noise according to him it sounded like the motor was dying. I told him he should not operate the roof anymore and take it to a shop. My advice went over his head as last night I got another phone call, his roof was down but wouldn't go back up. Anyways, I had to go and help manually close the roof... VERY FUN JOB. Hour drive as well, thankfully the SL55 isn't slow... Now, this is where things have possibly gone BAD. I told him to wait whilst I go home and bring my DAS so we can close the flaps... I get a phone call as I'm coming back saying hey, no need I closed them myself. It turns out he slowly forced the flaps back so he could close the trunk. I get his wife was getting annoyed because of "car" but would you say the flaps are toast or is it still worth me going over to use my DAS to close them properly? I just don't like to see nice cars get neglected, oh and I guess he's a good person too... Just, not all that knowledgeable with cars.
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Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,326
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From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
If he is really lucky, he has the old rack gear covers and they are bent. If that is the case, he might have just ratcheted the gears and not stripped them. They would need to be readjusted, but maybe no permanent damage.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 124
Likes: 29
From: Celebration FL
2007 Mercedes SL55 AMG
When I was helping I checked the fluid level and it was at the correct level. My only assumption would've been a failed motor. I'm going over there on Friday to see what I can do to help. Appreciate it!
