Soft top frame fastener question.

[Ollie]

My 1967 Pagoda has a soft top frame "fastener" that keeps falling out unless I keep it in with my finger as I fold it. I am sure there is abetter term for this, but the photo's should explain. The thread on it seems stripped. Any advice on how to fix/remedy this situation? Your advice is much appreciated.

[mrfatboy]

These bolts were punched at the ends (see picture) to prevent loosening. If the bolt easily falls out I would guess that someone tampered or damaged it so they could remove it to fix the frame.

Hopefully somebody has an elegant way to fix.

[Ollie]

Thanks mrfatboy, I thought those two little holes were there for a reason!

[mrfatboy]

Maybe using some red loc-tite would do the trick🤷‍♂️

[dakman29]

Try a helicoil insert. It will work in the short term. Can’t say for how long.

[doitwright]

I am not sure this will help. If you go to BlackForestLlc.com they have a series of photos where they do this repair with any insert under the Classic Workshop link. However, you need to have Flash on your computer or the photos will not appear. Flash is not longer available or supported by Adobe.

[Ollie]

Thanks for the replies. I have been tempted to do the loc-tite, but I am worried about that option. I have not needed to remove any of those  soft top frame fasteners in 25 years, but watch if I do loc-tite, I will need to!  I'll see if I can find helicoil close to me.

[mrfatboy]

You could always try Blue Loctite and see how it goes. It’s less permanent. 

[Shvegel]

I have a really elegant way to fix that.  Some time ago I purchased a complete kit of the soft top screws because I was going to restore my slightly rusty, slightly broken soft top.  Well it turns out "Slightly rusty"  turned out to be massively tar and Nicotene coated.  I need one screw to repair mine so if you message me your address I can send you a new screw gratis.

[Ollie]

Thank you so much, that is really awesome and extremely kind of you!

[Victor113]

Do you by any chance still have an extra 1-2 screws for the soft top frame as I am in need of one missing and one rusted version for replacement? Thank you in advance for your help.

[Pawel66]

Just be careful when you buy set of screws for soft top and check with the vendor if they have fine threads. I bought a set from SLS some time ago and threads just did not much as there was a fine thread in the frame and screws had the regular one.

[dirkbalter]

Pawel, I bought the set from SLS as well but had no thread issues AFAIR. Not sure if our frames are the same though.

Have you guys seen below. Interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXqCmubOUkI

[Lorsar]

Authentic classics sells the screw and also an oversized version which means that more than a few have been stripped out.

https://www.authenticclassics.com/230SL-250SL-280SL-Convertible-113-Chassis-s/1.htm?searching=Y&sort=13&cat=1&show=32&page=1&search=%20Soft%20top%20frame

[Pawel66]

Pawel, I bought the set from SLS as well but had no thread issues AFAIR. Not sure if our frames are the same though.

Have you guys seen below. Interesting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXqCmubOUkI

Indeed could be that they are not. Best to check the threads.