Soft top frame mechanism

[Jim Donati]

I need some help determining the cause of a small problem I have with the rear bow mechanism on my soft top.  Recently whenever I fold  the rear bow of the soft top into the full forward locking posiition I find it difficult to pull it down and out of that locked position.  I do not remember having to apply as much pressure in the past to get it out of this forward-most position.   

In the past it would lock into place and when tugged on with minimal pressure it would pull back and out of the locked position just fine.  tha amount od force I need to apply now concerns me, I am afraid I am going to bend or break something before it releases from that catch.  Is this an indication that something is broken, or just in need of lubricant.

Does anyone know where I could get a close up picture or diagram of the portion of the locking mechanism ?

Thanks for any advice you can provide.

Jim

[rmmchl]

check to see if the large screws in the frame have worked out. They need tightened occasionally. If they work out a little it stops the frame from opening and closing- You need  to open the top a little ways  to get to them to tighten. It takes a very large screwdriver, because the slit in the screw is large

[Jim Donati]

Michael:

Thank you for this suggestion, i will have to check those out.  How many screws are there per side?   Do they screw down into the bottom or out to the side of the vehicle?

Thanks
Jim

[rmmchl]

i think there are 2 on each side. -one of mine was stripped because it had come a little loose and it was keeping the frame from opening or closing.. I tried to forced it and damaged the threads. Buds benz has the screws. They are expensive, but like a lot of our parts, are unavailable from mercedes dealerships. Bud's is having somebody reproduce them. I was glad to be able to buy a new one-there are 2 sizes of them. 2 on each side if I remember. You have to tell them which one. One is larger than the other

[rmmchl]

the screws connect the frame together. You get to them from the inside

[Jim Donati]

Update on my soft top frame issue.

 I decided to try lubricating the several pivot and contact points of the soft top frame to see if my issue might be simple friction.  I sprayed lubricate on all the joints using "Liquid Wrench Dry Lubricant" to avoid staining the fabric with petroleum products.  I have used this product before, it leaves almost no residue? 

WOW!  did that ever take care of my problems.   I cannot believe how much easier the frame mechanism operates now!   

Not only did this resolve the problem with the bow hanging up and not releasing from the fully forward latched position, but the entire folding and unfolding of the soft top frame works so effortlessly now.  The bow now pushes forward into the latched position and is easily
pulled back out of that position with moderate effort.   I used to have to use two people (or walk back and forth from side to side  myself several times) to raise the soft top from a fully stowed position, but now I can raise it easily by myself from one side of the vehicle.

Lubrication is good 8>}

By the way;  there are a total of 5 slotted screws on either side that might also need to be checked for tightness.  I had only two that were able to be tightened slightly.

Jim