HOW EASY IS IT TO FIT NEW SOFT TOP ON W107?

[angela mccaw]

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A NEW GOOD ORIGANAL GERMAN QUALITY SOFT TOP FROM NEWARK NEW JERSEY FOR MY W107....IT HAS NO FITTING INSTRUCTIONS AND I HAVE HEARD YOU NEED TO USE PLENTY OF ADHESIVE....IS THIS TRUE?..HAS ANYONE FITTED ONE OF THESE?..WHAT IS INVOLVED?..CAN ANYONE GIVE ME ANY ADVICE..MY HARDTOP HAS BEEN ON ALL WINTER SO I HAVENT ACCESSED THE JOB YET..ANY HELP APPRECIATED

 

[Andy]

Hi

Trust me the soft top can only be fitted by proffesionals. Do NOT even think or attempt to do it your self. Find a good upholster who will undertake the work for you.


Regards

Andy@ www.mercedeservicing.com

 

[badshead]

Angela

I have done this myself. It's not a job for the feint hearted but if you're practical (and very careful) it can be done. Start at the back - absolutely most important thing of all is to centre the new hood on the back rail before glueing it. After that it's pretty much common sense (you'll understand how it fixes by stripping off the existing one - very tedious job). DON'T cut any of the material until you're sure everything lines up OK, particularly on the frame behind the side windows - put the top up and check you can lock it down easily (front and back) before screwing/glueing fabric (even though fabric will not be attached to front rail at this stage). When cutting/fixing the fabric to the front rail make sure the back is locked down and you've allowed enough material to lock the top down without having to wrestle with it!

Last fixing job of all is the glue the hood to the intermediate overhead rails, but the most vital bit to get right is fixing to back & front rail and side frame behind windows.
:roll:
You're right about the glue - buy a large pot of Evostick (or similar contact adhesive that will give you a minute or two before it goes off) and (extremely important) make sure you mask/protect the plastic windows, interior and paintwork from glue drips (it will happen). Also worth replacing the rubber seals around the bottom rail, side window frames and front rail while you're at it. There are two cables running along the side of the hood above the window that need to be tensioned. Also worth checking/replacing is the wire (encased in plastic) that runs up centre of rear window as they will go rusty if hood is stored wet and stain the new hood fabric.

Good luck