Soft Top Fold-down and Stowing

[Nate]

I'm looking for some guidance on storing the soft top.  The top is currently in the up and locked position (2 locks on windshield frame and 1 lock in the hole behind the soft top window near the boot lid cover).  Is there a release mechanism for the lock near the boot lid?  When I put the soft top up it sounded as if it locked into place in the hole behind the boot lid, but I can't seem to get it unlocked now.

[Douglas]

There's a handle on the driver-side behind the seat. It's a chrome handle that swings from left to right. It's installed in the carpeted wall.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[Nate]

Thanks Douglas.  Just to confirm, the handle behind the driver seat releases both the boot lid cover and the soft top locking mechanism when the top is up?

[Kenneth Gear]

That's correct, the handle should release both.  

If the handle is not working, there is a way to release the latches by accessing them through passages in the trunk. Let me know if you need further direction on that.


Ken G
1971 280 SL
Silver/red

[Nate]

Thanks for the reply Ken.  The handle is functioning properly to release the boot box lid and I'm assuming it will also release the lock on the soft top.  If not, I will definitely take you up on your offer...

[enochbell]

Nate,

Just a suggestion, but please take care when you reverse this process and raise the soft top from the boot.  When you put the soft top back up, make sure to FIRST completely lock the cover hatch in it's "down" position (before you push the soft top latch into the rear receiver).  If you fail to do this you will risk scratching the paint on the hatch cover.  I have seen too many hatches with tell-tale scratches at the hinge junction from lack of attention to this detail.

Best,

g

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

[JamesL]

There's various threads on here about this so do a search but one top tip....

Some plastic "glides" that can be slotted between the well wall and the canvas right behind each seat will reduce friction/rubbing/tears as the roof is raised and particularly lowered.

I use an old 1.5l soda bottle cut lengthways. They hang on the well wall and act as a glide. Then sits in the well when not needed

[Nate]

Thanks for all the good words and guidance.  This is an extremely helpful group - my mechanic thanks you!  One final question before I attempt to re-stow the soft top.  Should the rear lock behind the soft top window be secured before locking the 2 on top of the windshield frame with the top removal handles?

[Douglas]

No, the front two handles get locked down first. The final step is to drop the rear window down and click it (often somewhat forcefully) into place.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA