Symptoms your Rear Hardtop Rubber Seal is no good

[ted280sl]

I now know that my rear hardtop seal has been in need of replacement for several years. I thought it would be a good idea to share the symptoms.
1. The locking lever on one side of my hardtop would unlock while I was driving. I assumed this had something to do with a problem in the lever. I installed a new seal yesterday and now the lever locks firmly in place and it no longer unlocks while driving.

2. Occasional noise from somewhere behind me while I was driving. It seems that because the old rubber seal was worn out the hardtop was making contact with the body. In comparing the old seal with the new seal it is obvious that the old one was worn out. The seal has a "V: groove. On the old seal there was no angle of seperation to the wings of the "V".

 I know this information will not be helpful to all of our members. Perhaps we need an additinal designation?
Happy New Year
Ted 1969 280SL (Pagoda w/ hardtop)

[A Dalton]

A trick for fixing a rear seal is to run a full length piece of surgical tubing inside the V on the old seal , if the seal is still in decent shape...it acts as a rubber spring and  puffs the seal back out very nicely......

[tuultyme]

A Dalton
What size of "surgical tubing" did you use: ID/OD?

Bruce; 268Blaugrun(green) 1970 280SL; IL

[A Dalton]

quote:Originally posted by tuultyme

A Dalton
What size of "surgical tubing" did you use: ID/OD?

Bruce; 268Blaugrun(green) 1970 280SL; IL

1/4x5/16

[TheEngineer]

Arthur, you are a smart person!

[A Dalton]

Not my fault... it's Genetic...

 Hi Mom..