Vario Roof problem on my SL500

[Welski]

Yesterday I was standing behind the car whilst 'er indoors was raising the roof and I was horrified to hear a nasty crunching sound. At first I though a twig or foreign body had got caught up in the mechanism but then I noticed it was coming from the ns rear light cluster. It appears that as the boot lid opens and closes it catches the very top edge of the light making an awful sound. We've only had the car a couple of months (2002 model) and I've not noticed it before. It has obviously been doing it for a little while though as its taken some paint of the lip of the boot lid.

I've thought for a long time that the mechanism is a little 'wobbly' but I read somewhere that some play was normal. Does anyone know if its easy to adjust the roof mechaism or should I take it in to a Merc dealer?

Cheers

 

[Welski]

Yesterday I was standing behind the car whilst 'er indoors was raising the roof and I was horrified to hear a nasty crunching sound. At first I though a twig or foreign body had got caught up in the mechanism but then I noticed it was coming from the ns rear light cluster. It appears that as the boot lid opens and closes it catches the very top edge of the light making an awful sound. We've only had the car a couple of months (2002 model) and I've not noticed it before. It has obviously been doing it for a little while though as its taken some paint of the lip of the boot lid.

I've thought for a long time that the mechanism is a little 'wobbly' but I read somewhere that some play was normal. Does anyone know if its easy to adjust the roof mechaism or should I take it in to a Merc dealer?

Cheers

 

[television]

wait till later in the day

 

[Welski]

Thanks Malcolm.

 

[television]

The first two pics show the first movement, the end near the seats rises more than the rear end, and that has hardly moved.

The next three show it a bit further on the lap end has started to rise and the seat end has risen more.

 

[television]

There is no adjustment,I think the the linkages are too tight, With mine I sprayed all of the moving joints with the slick 50 PTFE spray and the boot side that was hard to close when I bought the car now closes with just a downward flip and it closes itself.

This lubricant is transparent just put a piece of rag the other side when you spray. You will need to stop the roof at various points to get to them all.

Try this first

 

[type49]

If you've only had the car a few months then it should have a warranty. It appears to need adjusting but this is almost impossible to say without seeing it. There are various parts to adjust but get it wrong & you could open up a can of worms. As to the "wobble", they can move about a bit during operation, this is normal.

 

[television]

If you've only had the car a few months then it should have a warranty. It appears to need adjusting but this is almost impossible to say without seeing it. There are various parts to adjust but get it wrong & you could open up a can of worms. As to the "wobble", they can move about a bit during operation, this is normal.

There must be 2 threads on this,I have put up photos with some idea's

 

[Welski]

There is no adjustment,I think the the linkages are too tight, With mine I sprayed all of the moving joints with the slick 50 PTFE spray and the boot side that was hard to close when I bought the car now closes with just a downward flip and it closes itself.

This lubricant is transparent just put a piece of rag the other side when you spray. You will need to stop the roof at various points to get to them all.

Try this first

Thanks Malcolm,
As usual your assistance is second to none.

I've not had a chance to really have a good look at the mechanism but I'm not sure lubrication will cure it (I'll give it a go all the same).

It seems to be actually out of line, but why it's moved I dont know. Its the lip of the boot lid just to the left of the SL badge that clips the top of the light cluster as it closes-it misses it when opening.

I'll see if I can take a look tonight and report back.

Other than this niggle I can safely say the SL is a FANTASTIC piece of kit!

 

[television]

If one side is too tight, it will go out of line.

 

[television]

I forgot to say that the roof will only operate correctly on level ground.

Mine will not close on my driveway

 

[Welski]

I forgot to say that the roof will only operate correctly on level ground.

Mine will not close on my driveway

I didn't know that thanks. Both times I noticed the the 'crunching' it was on the level. I suppose you could be right if one side is not moving freely it could kick the whole boot lid off line. I'm a bit more optimistic now! I'll lube up the moment I get in and report back.

Thanks Malcolm.

 

[Welski]

If you've only had the car a few months then it should have a warranty. It appears to need adjusting but this is almost impossible to say without seeing it. There are various parts to adjust but get it wrong & you could open up a can of worms. As to the "wobble", they can move about a bit during operation, this is normal.

Thanks for the input.

I think the warranty was for Engine and Gearbox only. But if it does turn out to be a major problem I think I'll give the dealer a call.

As Malcolm points out this iis a duplicate thread (my PC was playing up yesterday) I'll not post here any more.

 

[Blobcat]

There must be 2 threads on this,I have put up photos with some idea's

I've merged them to make more sense

 

[television]

I have found a special document for your cars fault ask for doc number from MB,it is not for the light hearted as the boot trim has to be taken out.

AF77.33-P-2002A

 

[Welski]

OH Lordy!

I havent had a chance to get to the shops as yet for my can of lubricant. I'll give it a go at the weekend and revert with my progress.

Thanks again Malcolm.

 

[Welski]

I have found a special document for your cars fault ask for doc number from MB,it is not for the light hearted as the boot trim has to be taken out.

AF77.33-P-2002A

I sprayed the mechanism but to no avail. I've booked in with the Merc people at Colchester for Wednesday. Gulp.

I'll let you know what they say when they've had a look.

 

[television]

It will be the adjustment that I put up in answer 15 it is a lot of work to do this adjustment

 

[Welski]

It will be the adjustment that I put up in answer 15 it is a lot of work to do this adjustment

That's what I was thinking Malcolm -Oh dear!

On another issue; Do you remember when you helped me when I was buying the car with regard the model etc. You mentioned at the time that the wheels on the car made it look a little dated.

I really noticed it at the Merc dealers. I couldnt work out why my car looked so odd alongside cars of a similar age. Until I looked at the wheels!

Could you recommend any good on-line outlets and is there anything I should be wary of when buying alloys?

Cheers as always appreciate your advice.

 

[television]

Just though of one easy way maybe, there is a modified rubber boot stop known as the 3 rib stop this just screws onto the side replacing the existing 2 rib stop