Hard Top Lifting Frame for 107

[Craneboy]

Evening MB Owners, does any one have any information about hoists or lifting frames to remove hard tops from 300SL (107). I already have an electric hoist in the roof of my garage, but unsure of best way to sling the roof off, for summer storage, also can you still get the original long wheel stud/bolts with the shoulder half way down, as mine has the short ones and make the flat face alloys look awful. Thanks.

 

[nicky]

Best way is get someone at the other side and just lift the roof off manually....

 

[Craneboy]

The problem i have is room, what i intend to do is leave it hanging from my garage roof, Tony

 

[nicky]

Yes you can get the wheel studs at....http://www.mswuk.com/

I bought a set last week for AMG alloys..

 

[nicky]

The problem i have is room, what i intend to do is leave it hanging from my garage roof, Tony

Make a cover for it and suspend it with a couple of rachet straps

 

[davidsl500]

this should give you an idea

http://www.toplift.se/en/products.php?id=2

 

[Myros]

Paddy Hopkirk

commercial roof bars can be "engineered" to make a cradle, with a bit of lateral thinking. I did one about a month ago. They cost about £50 and all the fettling will take you a day or so, unless you are clever.
Having used the lift recently, I have become a bit concerned that they flex a bit under the load of the roof, so I covered the SL in mattresses and other soft stuff, and did a "jolt" test at about 10cms. Sure enough, some of the pick ups slipped off. So I am now in full stage paranoia and ordering a cradle from this chap in Berlin, who has a nice looking system.
Have a look at the finished product in some German chap's garage at this page
http://www.sternzeit-107.de/modules.php?op=modload&name=Forums&file=viewtopic&topic=3386&forum=6

the fella is Bjorn Matheoschat, his e-mail address is

bjoernmatheoschat@yahoo.de

If you do order from him, mention the MBOA, I believe we will get a discount.


09:15 just ordered the frame only, £86 delivered to my door.
Slightly used roof rack anyone?

 

[Craneboy]

Thanks for all your help, i have arranged to have a mult point nylon sling arrangement made , which i am collecting on friday, this will be a fully adjustable item and i will keep you posted on the outcome, i will try to attach a photo if possible., also what price were the long wheel studs, Thanks again

 

[Myros]

from grave to cradle

Just received my new cradle, and spent the last hour taking my old one off, and 5 mins putting the new one on. What does that say about my design and engineer capability. Works just fine, good positive location on the front lugs, no slippage, and adjustable pick up on the rear. Made of aluminium, so stonger by far for about the same weight of my steel job. and most importantly, no FLEXING.
I'm still quids in over the cost of a toplift though.

 

[patterbu]

Thanks for all your help, i have arranged to have a mult point nylon sling arrangement made , which i am collecting on friday, this will be a fully adjustable item and i will keep you posted on the outcome, i will try to attach a photo if possible., also what price were the long wheel studs, Thanks again

Hello Craneboy,
Did you succeed with the roof multipoint nylon sling?
if so any recommendations as to dimensions etc?
I have just9 last week) bought a 320SL and will encounter the same problems as you
many thanks
philip

 

[Craneboy]

Hi Patterbu,
All seems to be going quite well, i had some slings made by a chap near Heathrow, he supplies my company with mobile crane lifting tackle, and i was able to explain to him what i wanted.
In theory it will work, but my problem being is that im yet to actually get the roof off, i read the various Threads, that the roof needs to be lifted from the front and rolled back then lift upwards, i will try it again this weekend.
The sling arrangement was a 5" wide soft sling which is passed through the underside of the hard top with quick release connectors attached to a shhortish slig suspended from my hoist hook, with an adjustable clasp with a foam lining to grip the lowest part beneath the rear window.
If you email me your address i will send you a picture or 2, my email is cranerep@tiscali.co.uk.

Thanks Tony

 

[Myros]

don't worry about the roll backwards bit

I think that was only if it was jammed. All the commercial lifts (and the one I made and decommissioned) just lift pretty much straight up. Make sure you get your pick-up points sorted though, or your lift wont pull the roof out cleanly. The main bit of the weight seems to centre just aft of the front edge of the rear quarterlights. That's where the commercial lifts put their hook/rings for the winch mechanisms to hang. If you go forward of that, your roof will tip back as you lift, and if you go back, it will tip forward.
I suggest a person-lift off onto some soft stuff on the floor, and then some testing to get your pick up point right.
The other thing to worry about, is that your system will be delivering a lot of squash to the roof/window top seals. This will over time deform them and prevent them from sealing properly. Think about some way of belaying the webbing over the seal without deforming it.
Also, have a think about what you can do if the the webbing or release mechanism fails. I have rigged two cargo straps independently left to right under mine when it is supported front to back by the main lifter. One goes through the grab handles, the other loops around the rear pin. I tension them to just take a little strain from the main lifter, and pray to the patron saint of do it yourselfers.
Good luck chaps

 

[Craneboy]

Roof Slings

Hi Patterbu,
The slings that i had made are:-

1 x 66" sling 4" wide which is attached to adjustable quick release buckles, connected to a quick release sling attached to a tackle ring attached to an electric winch hook, a single open clasp with foam lining hooks under the centre point of the rear window, which again is all adjustable, The rubbers are not squashed as thick shag pile carpet sits between the sling and the rubber seals. Photos are available if required.

Thanks Tony

PS. I work for a crane company and have access to all sorts of tackle etc