280SL window crank handles

[Bob G ✝︎]

I am confused about the difference between the early 280SL window crank handle and the later version not the handle with the big back knob.
It is my understanding that from at least my car a 1968 280SL that the window crank handle is held in place by a center screw after the handle is slipped over the window crank.
The later style 1971 I think are held in via a clip. Am I correct? Can anyone supply a picture of this handle with hardware?

thank You
Bob Geco

[Douglas]

Bob,

Yes, that's an accurate description about the later-style handle. No screw. Just the padded insert clips in and holds it in place.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[A Dalton]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6546994444&category=418&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6546993426&category=418&rd=1

[ja17]

Hello Bob,
Review this information, it should help.

http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/ja17/20041260477_four%20different%20window%20cranks.JPG

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[A Dalton]

JA,

 That is a very good crono display.

 I think the small knob  [230] is also Early 250. The knob matches the heater blower knob .
 Some others may confirm this, as the info is using my own as an example.

[ja17]

Hello A Dalton,
I think you are right on this. The 250SL did have the small knobs. But I am not sure that the latest 250SLs did also? In fact maybe the earliest versions of the 280SL also had the small knobs?

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[hands_aus]

Arthur

My early 250sl is the same as yours.

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[mbzse]

quote:Originally posted by Joe A  ja17

The 250SL did have the small knobs. But I am not sure that the latest 250SLs did also?

The change over happened in July 1967, very many interior details were changed at this time. From 250SL chassis No 2980 onwards cars had "large" knobs to replace the small. (BTW, this was true for the whole range of M-B models marketed at this time).

/Hans in Stockholm

[ja17]

Thanks Hans, Bob and Arthur,
I will update the photo when time permits.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[A Dalton]

Hans,

 You seem to have a solid crono documentation library.
 so, would you have any info on :
Euro model production quanity of Early .043
Cal Coupe quanity of all .043
..and finally , did both square weave rug and basket weave seats change at the .043 mid year break.
There seems to be conflicting thoughts here in the US that Euro models did not make these particular change thruout the entire run , but US spec did.
Thanks for any info you may have on any of these .
A Dalton

[mbzse]

quote:Originally posted by A Dalton

Hans,
would you have any info on :
1) Euro model production quantity of Early .043
2) Cal Coupe quantity of all .043
3) did both square weave rug and basket weave seats change at the .043 mid year break

First a definition of "Euro model", - I take it to mean all non-US cars. About 1000 early style 250SL's were sold to the US, so 1) non-US would be around 2000 units.
2) I'd say 3 to 5 percent, i.e some 160 to 250 cars total
3) No. Bouclé (square weave) was the carpet in the 250SL, however the main large mats under driver/passenger's feet were rubber. With the 280SL, large mats became fabric and all carpets were changed to tuft. BTW, The drivers/passengers seat backs became thicker at the 250SL mid break.


/Hans in Stockholm

[A Dalton]

Thanks.

 Lastly,do you know when the basket weave seat panels went to pin cushin ??
Tnx

[A Dalton]

quote:Originally posted by ja17

Hello A Dalton,
I think you are right on this. The 250SL did have the small knobs. But I am not sure that the latest 250SLs did also? In fact maybe the earliest versions of the 280SL also had the small knobs?

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

J.A.,

 I did find the exact info on this , so feel confident on using
it for your crono picture.
 Pic 1.- all 230 and Early 250 through chassis 002979.  1964 thru 7/67
     2.-Late 250 from 002980 , and Early 280 thru 015518.  7/67 thru 1/70
     3.- Late 280 from 015519 > . 1/70 to end of production.
     4.  Reproduction for late 280  [ also fits 107 chassis]

As noted in your crono, pic 1/2 are screw fixed, and 3/4 are spring clip.
Tnx,
A Dalton

[J. Huber]

Darn you guys. I was out and about yeaterday and noticed I have both types of window cranks... Never noticed in almost 20 years! I now recall that one side would clip on, the other had a screw. And one knob is clearly larger. So, heres the question: can the early cranks still be had new? Or does anyone have a 230SL one they want to trade for a later type!

James
63 230SL

[Naj ✝︎]

Don't think its that simple, James.
You probly had a new regulator on the side with the later handle. The splinled end is flanged to take the clip, so you'd have to grind that off and tap a thread for the earlier type screw....
Now, are the splines on early and late regulators the same???

naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

[enochbell]

Bob,

If all else fails I have a set of very, very nice original late (280sl) cranks.  They are not repro's, and match the pic posted elsewhere on this string.  I would be glad to let them go to you for just about nothing, or will trade for a couple of really nice cigars.  Just let me know,

greg

'64 230sl, fully sorted out...ooops, spoke too soon

[J. Huber]

Hmm. Thanks Naj. That explains why some of my earlier records show window work -- including replacing regulator, lifters, etc...

I just looked at a work order from 1981 -- has "crank handle" 1237600102? cost was 4.18

The lifters were 74 bucks. I imagine that number has gone up!

James
63 230SL

[J. Huber]

This is a very long time in coming but I am revisiting this with some positive news... It is probably a one in a million chance anyone else will need this info but here goes...

Summary: The window cranks for our cars changed over time. There are four versions. The earliest (230SLs) had the small knobs and a screw holds them on. Later versions had bigger knobs and were held on by a clip.

Problem: My car is a 230SL but the driver's side window crank is a 280. Turns out the regulator was changed out in the 80's -- with the later version. No big deal but hey I need any excuse to mess around with the car.

Solution: I located a pair of used 230SL cranks on German Ebay and with the wonderful help of Alfred E. was able to get them for very cheap. (only needed one but it was a set!)...

I decided to experiment -- my plan was to make the 230 crank fit on the 280 regulator. Well, as the pictures explain -- it worked. I basically had to drill out the hole that slides onto the splined regulator post. While both cranks are grooved to fit the spline -- the offsets were slightly different. So I ended up going bigger on the 230SL so it would slide on all the way. The spline to groove match is not perfect but seems to grip fine. Finally, I made a hole for the black plastic clip. Mission accomplished!

Download Attachment: cranks1.jpg
79.77 KB



James
63 230SL

[66andBlue]

Hi James,
congratulations, nice surgery!

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

[Chad]

James, Is that a handpull in your driver's side door fascia?

I thought they were only on the passenger's side?

1967 230SL

[J. Huber]

Hi Chad. Good eye. Yes, early 230SLs had the pull handle on both sides. The driver's side is slightly different -- not as deep as the pass.

James
63 230SL

[ja17]

Hello Bob,

 Here is some more window crank information whith photo.
http://sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=1143,cranks

Download Attachment: cranks1.jpg
34.53 KB

Download Attachment: cranks2.jpg
39.63 KB

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[280sl1968]

Can someone tell me if the larger knob on the crank for the 250SL/early 280SL has raised ridges for grip around the circumference?

The second crank in Joe Alexander's pictures looks like the knob is smooth, but there are some cranks of this type on eBay (which seem to be reproductions from Thailand) that have the ridged grip.

My early 280 seems to have the 230 style crank with the smaller knob, so I'm looking to find correct original replacements when I come across some.


Thanks

David

[ja17]

Hello,

Just look at the radio, heater knob or cigg. lighter knob on your dash. They should all match. The correct knob for a 280 should be the larger one with chrome ring in the face of the knob. Make sure you get the correct one for your window regualtor. Early 280s used the screw to hold the crank on. Later  280s or all replacement regulators used the clip built into the cover to hold the crank on.