How much gap should be between SL350 hardtop and body?

[koksy]

Hi guys,

I picked up a hardtop today for my 1975 SL350. When its fitted on the car, there is a gap between the body and the chrome trim which is big enough to get your finger into. Should it be like this? Also, behind the doors theres a bolt type thing on the hardtop on each side. Do these need tightening and if so would it make the gap smaller? Should there be a spanner to do this or something? I can't see daylight through the gap and the windows go up to the rubbers but it just looks untidy thats all. Can it be adjusted?

Many thanks

koksy

 

[Thegemmesabogie]

Hi koksy.

It is normal for the 107 to have a gap under the rear of the hardtop although maybe not the fingerwidth that you describe, more like 3/8" tops. The seal for the hardtop bears on the chrome trim on the soft-top well cover and the gap is there so that the hardtop doesnt mark the bodywork. The nuts you refer to behind the door are extra locks which secure the hardtop and arent on the softtop. there should be a slot in the top of these nuts into which you locate the softop key and give a quarter/half turn. If this isnt done then maybe your top is slightly higher than it should be. These pegs are also adjustable once the hardtop is off the car but dont overdo it.

Hope this helps.

Derek.

 

[koksy]

Thanks derek... there aren't any slots in the top of the nuts and I don't have a key anyway... theres just a peg sticking up out of each hole.

 

[Thegemmesabogie]

Koksy.

if you have a look here... http://www.sls-hh-catalogue.de/bin/dbframes.phtml?mid=IN07

Click on the hardtop page.

You will see #75 is a nut that fits onto the lug you have on the locks.
It takes #83 the lever which is used to turn said nut and also is used for the soft-top front locks. I presume you are using a screwdriver or somesuch?

Both of these bits can be got from SLS or a Merc dearler.

Derek.

 

[koksy]

Ok Derek thanks very much. I have number 83 already to undo the catches at the front but it seems I don't have any number 75s!

What else might be causing the hardtop to sit too high if its not these nuts missing thats the problem?

 

[Thegemmesabogie]

#75 is just the cap that fits on top of the catch and that allows you to tension them to the body. You have to look at the underside of the pins and see where they locate in the chrome capping behind the door. When the top is put on they are given a 1/4 turn which drags the top down against the body. The only other thing that springs to mind is if the rubber seal is not in its track properly ie, is displaced.