Soft Top Spring fitting help

[jedwards]

Gentlemen,
I have purchased new large soft top springs but am not sure how to fit them.
The springs are made from 3.5mm diameter wire but the  hole into which they (appear) to need to be inserted, is only 2.5mm diameter.

The option seems to be to drill out the holes, but I have read much of broken spring arms, so am not sure if I should do this and thus weaken the arm.

What is recommended?

[Garry]

I thought there were two springs but just looked and here is the setup for the 230SL

May help

Garry

[Larry & Norma]

The spring you have looks way too big, check with your supplier.

[mbzse]

.../... the hole into which they (appear) to need to be inserted, is only 2.5mm diameter.../..should I drill out the holes.../...

No, the large spring does not go there! That position is for the little, second spring. There were three major versions of the soft top frame in our cars (plus a fourth, very early version, see text in our Tech Manual under heading "Soft Top").
You have the second version.  Pictures here (third version) show second spring attached between "A" and "B"; and you see by "A" is where it fits in the 2,5mm hole.
BTW, what happened to your original springs?
Garry's pictures of a 230SL (Reply #1) show the first version frame, which did not feature the second, smaller spring and which had snap locks on each side on the lower rear bow.
/Hans in Sweden

[jedwards]

Thanks Hans
That piece is missing on my car, and appears to have broken off some time ago. that bar and both sets of springs were missing from my car when I acquired it.
Is that part available?

regards
Jeff

[Garry]

This piece is no longer available from the suppliers and is a common broken part.

http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=13274.0

Look at this post, you may want to go to Bob and see if he still has the drawing that he used to make a new lever.  Otherwise it may be a case of putting up a wanted advert and see if there are any parts around.

Garry