Jammed hatch cover on 1969 280SL

[rutger kohler]

Hi, I put my soft top away properly, about a week ago, but now the right hand side of the hatch cover won't release. The soft top was stowed properly and the release cable is not broken. Using a torch, I can see the cable is working against the spring, on the right hand side but it is not releasing the right hand catch.  I have tried to remove the large chrome cover in this area, which would allow me access, however there are two phillips screws that can't be removed without the hatch cover up.

I have looked at the technical manual but can't anthing that will help relause the right hand side.

Help

[Garry]

Rutger,


 Try having someone pressing down on the cover on the side not releasing whilst you pull the release lever.  That may release the catch if there is upward pressure from the soft top on the cover

[Pawel66]

Yes, as Garry describes, I had a similar thing, it was the question of adjustment once it was open - too much slack on the cable. Pull the lever while someone is pressing the right hand side of the hatch. press where the leather is to avoid the dent on aluminum surface.

[mbzse]

In the Forum Technical Manual, under section "Top/Soft Top" there are some tips and pictures under a heading: "What if your release handle does nothing anymore?"
Also some tips in this thread:
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=16952.msg178065#msg178065

[rutger kohler]

Hi, thanks for the suggestions, I have tried having someone pushing down on the right hand side of the hatch cover, as the release lever is moved, but alas, this doesn't work. There is absolutely no give on the right hand side,

It's frustrating because, with a torch, I can look down throgh the slots in the large chrome fitting and see the cable working against the spring on it, on the right hand side.

[rutger kohler]

A photo of the right hand side with the hatch open, showing the catch arrangement would be really handy

[Pawel66]

Is it not the photo within the link mbzse provided that you need?

[Garry]

I think this is the ones from Alfred’s post.

[johnm]

 unfortunately had this same issue and had to cut a small hole in the sheet metal to enable us to access the release. Once done and the latch adjusted the hole was easily patched (welded) and of course would never be seen once the carpet/upholstery was in place. Nonetheless a frustrating encounter.  Good luck?

[ja17]

It is possible to get a "L" shaped tool down into the hinge area and release the latch without cutting any holes. I'll try to post some photos.

[mbzse]

It is possible to get a "L" shaped tool down into the hinge area and release the latch without cutting any holes../..

Some pictures and info here (courtesy of Wolfgang):
http://w113.eu/geschlossen/Optimierungen/Notoeffnung%20Verdeckkasten%20Mercedes%20Pagode%20W%20113.htm
A short film clip here:
http://w113.eu/geschlossen/Optimierungen/schnapper2.avi
(Emergency opening in seconds. I always carry this tool/handle in my SL, for me or for benefit of SL buddies)
/hans

[mrfatboy]

Thanks for posting that Hans👍  That's a great little tool.  I'm off to Home Depot 😜

[johnm]

 Wow. wish I had thought of that. Excellent!

[Norm]

Can someone post what that tool would be called and where one might purchase?

Norm

[mdsalemi]

This happened to me once before a few years back, and there was a post I made about this.

The CAUSE was a nut had come off the shaft, thus not allowing the shaft to turn or engage the release.

The SOLUTION was a 5 minute job at my friendly local (well, they are not so local any longer >sigh<) independent, Motorwerks in Commerce Township, Michigan. They got a piece of old brake line, (probably off some Porsche) bent it to form a J-hook, inserted into the compartment from the trunk (boot) where the hinges are, and pulled the release.

Voila. Done.

Once released, they affixed the nut back with Loctite, maybe a new lockwasher and said "It will NEVER come off by itself again".

[mrfatboy]

Well that was simple and quick. 🤣  I had the parts in my garage.  Added an old gear shift knob for style points🤣

PN 113-1337-7001 🤣

[mdsalemi]

Well done Mr. Fat Boy!  I admire the style points. A 10 from me, but the Russian judge is just an 8...

[FGN59]

We have a French saying: ‘la critique est aisée, l’art est difficile’, which loosely translated means: ‘reviewing is easy, art not so much’. So let me put my reviewer persona on, and criticize (it is not just the Russian judges who are difficult):

A Swede has sent you a picture of a German tool, which appears to be bent, obviously on purpose, with precise measurements. And with your typical Yankee ingenuity, gung-ho attitude, and flair for cutting corners, you come up with a straight tool  .

So the old world heritage in my French blood feels forced to cry out: don’t you think the Germans, with their obsessive preciseness and efficiency, put in that bend for a reason? 

[mrfatboy]

I was going to put the bend in it.  However,  when I tested it without the bend it worked perfectly 🤣

I guess Yankee ingenuity works👍👍👍😜

[FGN59]

I have to say, I am utterly convinced! But we still have cheeses, bratwurst and Swedish meatballs.

[Tyler S]

Not to mention the German tool is only good for one (right) side. The first photo shows the demonstration on the left side with the compartment open. The area in which it sits would not be accessible with the hatch closed.
 So one straight tool? Or two bent tools that mirror each other?

My Hazet exhaust donut tool works well for this.

[FGN59]

Let’s not underestimate the Germans... maybe the mystery will be revealed one day 

[Garry]

a being Aussie blunt, a sledge hammer would have fixed it straight away. None of this fancy German high tech, American ingenuity or French delicate touches.
After all no one said they wanted to save the car, Rutger just said he wanted to get the hatch cover open.

[FGN59]

It’s been a long time since I last burst out laughing so loud. Thank you for that! 

[mrfatboy]

I think this thread is about a bunch of old tools 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣