Hardtop Rattles

[n/a]

Does anyone have advice on adjusting or tightening the hardtop?  My top locks into place, but seems loose--it rattles excessively and from time to time the lock on the passenger's side above the winshield moves into the unlocked position.  And yes, it's the original top that came with the car.  I'd be grateful for any advice I can get.

Thanks, Charles

1971 280SL Tobacco Brown

[Cees Klumper]

You could try replacing the rubber seals a the front and rear of the top. The old ones may have become compressed/worn.

Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[Douglas]

Gernold over at SL Tech covers this in his hardtop restoration article that appeared in the Star some years back. He says the culprit is in the locks on either side of the hardtop. There's a piece in there that you'll need to renew to remove play, but I can't recall the details beyond that. Give him a call at SL Tech in Arrundel, Maine (next to Kennebunkport). He's at www.SLTechW113.com. He'll walk you through it and sell you the parts too. Great resource and a nice person as well.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[Bob G ✝︎]

The lock system is held in place by a lever on the right and left side and these unites have a conical bushing attached to the under side of the levers. The problem is Mercedes-Benz claims that the kit to repair the locks is NLA.
However the bushing can be made by any machine shop and with carefull removal of thee pin that locks the lever and bushing together the cone bushing can be replaced.I know we had a fourm discussion on this so time ago please search under hardtop restoration for articals and consult the parts break down to see how the system works.
Bob Geco

Bob Geco