hard top hold down clamp removal

[IXLR8]

Hi--

How does one remove the two hold down clamps at the "B" pillar from the hard top? (he asked, scratching his head.)

Thanks,

Joe

[georgem]

Joe,

Not too hard, unless you try to do it with the hard top still on the car (LOL)

At the bottom of the shaft that the chrome handle turns you will find a cone shaped device, probably white in colour. Horizontally through this is a pin. The pin looks to be quite thick but actually it is a narrow central pin that goes all the way through both the steel shaft and the cone with two short outer sleeves on each end, Using two pairs of pliers/multi grips (and at the same time) gently but firmly hold each of the outer sleeves and twist and pull outward.  One sleeve will probably come off before the other. No matter, the central pin will then come out with a bit of gentle tapping and perhaps a narrow drift.

The central pin is a snug fit on the shaft, the outer sleeves are a squeeze fit into the nylon cone.

BTW, the handles are left and right handed. The hole for the pin is offset. ie on one side its 2 to 8, on the other its 10 to 4. Dr Dan will vouch for this! eh Dan.

cheers

George
Brisbane
230SL

[IXLR8]

Hi George--

I just went down to the garage and pulled one apart.  Exactly as described. Need a new handle on one side (broken off) and new seals on both sides.

Thanks for your help.

Joe

[georgem]

Joe,

Glad I could help.

BTW, if you come across a spare right hand side handle- please give me a shout- mine is broken also.

Don`t forget they are handed.

Cheers

George
230SL
Brisbane

[Benz Dr.]

Oh yeah.  I'd say George and I are experts on thios subject. And I have a RT side too. I just can't get it off the top. I'll try again.... I think. I do have a LT side along with George having one too - the one he doesn't need.

[Dave Gallon]

The handles were last supplied as part of a repair kit. 113 790 05 68 for the left and 113 790 06 68 for the right. The left kit is available at MB USA suggested list of $364, my price $268.25. The right side is still unavailable (I just checked) but I suspect it will be available again eventually. The kit includes the handle, pin, sleeves, plastic cone, plastic sleeve, rubber washer, chrome plated base, nut, maybe more (this is from memory).

[mait]

When I did mine, removal of the cross pin looked like it was going to be difficult. That is, until I discovered a tiny set screw at the bottom end of the handle shaft. Loosened the set screw - then it was easy to drive out the pin. The cross pin actually had a depression on it to match with the set screw.
Mait

[Benz Dr.]

That set screw must be microscopic because I don't see one on the handle I have. It may be on some of them but I've never seen any on the ones I've had apart. All the effort I could muster still wouldn't free it either.

[66andBlue]

When in trouble or at your wits end consult the technical manual and learn how to drive out the pin.  
Go to: http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Tops/HardTop
Download Gernold Nisius' hardtop repair article and take a look at Figure 4. You need to grind of the tapped end on one side, remove the sleeve and then drive out the pin with a center punch.
He also sells a new set of pins and sleeves.

[IXLR8]

Hi All--

Right Hand handle is on eBay right now!

http://stores.ebay.com/EUROCARS-MERCEDES-190sl-230sl-parts

They are asking $188.88 or best offer.

Good luck,

Joe

[cascadia]

I just happened to have to do this job yesterday.  Didn't find a set screw (mine's a '65, wonder if they added that later) but wish I had, it was a bear to get that center pin out.  The BBB casually states "drive pin out with a drift" - it didn't take me long to discover it wasn't going to be that easy.  This piece is one of the few items on this car that has to be somewhat destroyed to remove.  I had to put a small vise grip on the 2 outer shaft pieces and twist back and forth until they gradually loosened.  All the while I'm generously applying PB Blaster penetrating oil to the piece.  The vise grips marred the ends of the outer shafts but I figure I'll put those ends into the cone when I re-assemble.  The center pin was absolutely frozen in place.  Again, trying to twist back and forth with the vise grips finally broke the bond and I continued twisting and spraying it with PB Blaster until I could get full lateral movement.  Only then did I take a center punch and try to drive it out.  I got the pin within 5mm of entering into the cone and didn't want to force it from there for fear of breaking the cone.  Again with the vice grips.  It helped to twist in one direction while pulling, almost as if the pin was threaded.  Finally came out, that's one tight fit.