Play on the softtop hinges

[jan lauwers]

Hello gentlemen,

I want to take the softtop frame apart in preparation for plating.

After I took it from the car, I noticed that there is quite a bit of play on the hinges. The play is lateral, vertically there is no play. Is this a problem or is this normal?
Secondly, these hinges seem difficult to take apart. Can I leave hem as they are, during the plating process? If not, how should I take them apart?

Thanks guys!

Jan

[doitwright]

BlackForestLLC has numerous photos of a soft top frame refurbishment on their site. You need Adobe Flash to view the photos.

[jan lauwers]

Thank you Frank. I could not find the info you are referring to.
Nobody else please who knows the answer to my question?

Thanks a lot!

Jan

[doitwright]

BlackForestLLC.com requires a Flash Plugin to view most of the nice content on their site. Flash is so outdated and now rarely used that Adobe will discontinue supporting it after this year. I know this will not show up on my iPad but will on my PC with the Flash Plugin. On their home page, when you hover over "Classic Workshop" you should see a side menu appear with the option "Restoration Projects". If this does not appear, your computer or device does not have the required Flash Plugin. If you do get to Restoration Projects, there are several topics of interest including a soft top rebuild, R-11 Injection Pump rebuild, a hard top rebuild even an interior restoration for a 1960 300SL. I hope you find it.

[FGN59]

I have not taken my soft-top apart, only cleaned, lubricated, and generally checked and tightened everything that moves (and cleaned everything that doesn’t move). There were shims present on some of the hinges, not on all, in the form of thin annular rings (looked like bronze to me, but I wouldn’t swear to it), to take out any lateral play I assume. I can’t provide pictures, as the car is not in the same place as me.