Author Topic: Soft Top Frame & Lever Arm Jig/Template  (Read 2179 times)

mrfatboy

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Soft Top Frame & Lever Arm Jig/Template
« on: July 20, 2018, 20:23:46 »
I'm in the process of putting on a new soft top.  But first I had to fix all the atrocities that the 800lb gorilla (previous owner :) ) did to the frame.  I had no springs (both small pig tails and big coils) and one of the small lever arms was snapped off on the driver's side. 

On top of that the frame was torqued, bent, and twisted somewhere so that the frame just would not close or open properly.  Tyler S and I examined the frame for over an hour and we still could not see the problem.  Tyler then got the idea of making a jig/pattern of a known good soft top frame.  Sure enough the left side was slightly bent and invisible to the naked eye.  Just a that little bend there make huge alignment issues as the frame opened and closed.

With the jig and the arm template I took it to our local welder to make the fixes.  All is good now  ;D

I thought I would post the patterns of the frame arm and lever arm where the springs attach just in case somebody else has a problem.  The lever arms are always a problem.  Hopefully it will help somebody in the future.

The lever arm is made from angle iron and the width is 10mm.

« Last Edit: July 20, 2018, 22:05:35 by mrfatboy »
1969 280sl (Aug 1968 build)
Signal Red
4 Speed

cfm65@me.com

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Re: Soft Top Frame & Lever Arm Jig/Template
« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2018, 20:52:15 »
Thanks Fatboy,
Exactly what I need. My frame does not seem bent, however the spring hook on the left is also broken off and I would like to have it repaired. I never thought of making a template of the other side or copying the spring hook and weld it back on.
Have a great weekend.
Regards
Chris
Cape Town
« Last Edit: July 20, 2018, 21:00:08 by cfm65@me.com »
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dirkbalter

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Re: Soft Top Frame & Lever Arm Jig/Template
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2018, 21:36:43 »
Same here.
Thank you.
Dirk
66 230 SL
70 280 SEL
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Delvis

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Re: Soft Top Frame & Lever Arm Jig/Template
« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2018, 07:18:24 »
triple thanks. this is on my need too fix list too.
1970 280SL auto.
1989 560SL
1979 911 SC TARGA
1961 Dune Buggy
2015C63 507 Edition