Soft Top Installation

[Mercedespartsjeff]

Hi All,
I am getting ready to install a new soft top on my 65 230SL. The VIN is 113.042.10.007285 It does not have the wood front. I have read the Pagoda Group technical manual soft top section on replacing the top. This paragraph is confusing to me:

Remove your old top. Loosen the nuts holding the side wires above the roll up windows. Measure the distance between the rearmost frame bar (the free floating one) and the (stable) frame bar foreward to it. Remove the old inner cloth strips and drill out the pop rivets to the front bar. I'm not sure what the function of the little elastic strips are, but replacements are available at any large fabric store.

I do not seem to have anything pop riveted. Nor do I have any sign of elastic strips. And what is the purpose of measuring the distance on the bars?

Also - I have these "fabric retaining bows" #14 in the attached diagram. Does anyone know their function? I know where the curly side attaches to the frame, but the pointy side seems to have no where to attach..

Thanks in advance,

Jeff

[Larry & Norma]

The pointy end slots into holes in the rear most frame piece and should slide in
when the frame is folded up. I left mine off as they did not work too well.
The other description refers to the two straps running front to back which are visible from
inside. The measurements are to ensure the frame spacings are kept the same when
installing the new ones.

[Mercedespartsjeff]

Hello Gnu,

Thank you for the reply. I think I may not replace the straps if they are in good shape.

Jeff

[Peter Serbanica]

new top

[IXLR8]

Hi --


Great job!

How many hours did it take?


the other Joe