Tip of the day - Sargeant Softtop Closing Method

[Cees Klumper]

At the Tech session in Ohio, I noticed how Tom Sargeant put up his softtop, engaging the rear latch in particular.

Since my top is fairly snug, I always close the rear first, then apply appreciable force to get the front latches to engage. If I would close the front latches first, I could not imagine being able to close the rear anymore, that's how much force it requires.

Tom showed me how though: close the front first, then don't attempt to press down the rear latch, but simply swing it shut. The speed of the movement together with the mass of the rear part of the softtop (force = mass times speed?) closes it.

I tried it for the first time on my own car yesterday and it worked like a dream.

[Richard Madison]

Also good to note that the rear latch mechanism (in the soft top compartment) is held in position by a few nuts, they can be loosened and the latch box moved up if needed to allow easier locking of the  soft top hook (thanks to Ted280SL for this hint.)
Richard M

[Tom]

Cees, Richard:

You might remember that we engaged the two front latches first but then partially backed the two front latches out such that the front two latches were in the holes and partially engaged, but not all the way down.  This leaves a little more room to allow the rear latch to travel more freely.

One would then "sling" the rear section rather sharply with the flick of the wrist. As you note, the speed and mass of the rear section should be sufficient to engage the pin and secure the rear section.  I then go back to the front section and turn the front two latches that are already partially engaged and in the female groves the remainder of the distance.

If this does not work, Richard notes that adjustments can be made to the rear latch locking mechanism found in the soft top compartment to allow the rear latch to close more freely.

[Albert-230SL]

There's a funny point about how to close the Softop:

- The 230 SL owner's manual gives instructions to first close the rear latch, and next close the two front latches

- The 250/280 SL owner's manual gives instructions to first close the two front latches, and next close the rear latch

 :?:  :?:  :?:

Why MB did change these instructions? Are the 230 and 250/280 SL softops so different?

The softop of my 230 SL is much easier to close according to its owner's manual. If I close the front latches first, it's really difficult to close the rear latch

Regards,

Albert de la Torre Chavalera
Barcelona (Catalunya/Spain)
Feb.'64 230 SL Euro 113042-10-002432

[Ben]

Hey this method is fanytastic. I've always had trouble closing the rear bow and my adjuster was all the way up. I put in a new seal a couple of weeks ago and it would take me 15 to 20 minutes trying to close it, in fact I had to leave it open a few nights and also drive with it not latched a couple of times.

I tried this method and it latchesd first time....every time!

Thanks a lot Tom !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.