Campaign - Check Soft Top Guide Links

90mercedes04
TO: OUR MERCEDES-BENZ PASSENGER CAR DEALERS

DATE: May 1990


SUBJECT: CHECKING GUIDE LINK ON SOFT TOP MODEL 3.29
REF.NO. MBNA 77/3
On vehicles within the Effective Serial Number Range below, the soft top guide links must be checked for proper function during the vehicle's next scheduled maintenance or repair.

Effective Serial Number Range


Model Chassis End Number
from to


129 000001 005512


The procedure described below applies to checking the guide link on the right side of the vehicle. The procedure for the left side is similar.

Figure 1:

Figure 2:

Procedure

1. Remove hard top.
2. Disconnect vacuum lines to locking mechanisms of rear storage compartments. Remove rear storage compartment assembly.
3. Raise roll bar.
4. Remove cover plate and seal (1, Figure 1) from B-pillar. Remove cap and screw (2, Figure 1) from side panel.
5. Disengage panel from clips and lift panel up and out (Figure 2).
6. Raise soft top until front locks latch and rear soft top fabric bow is raised.

Figure 3:

Figure 4 Upper thread shown:

Figure 5:

(Check free movement of guide link 1. Check both guide links by twisting them by hand from side to side for free movement (Figure 3)
2. Check visually if both screws (arrows, Figure 3) are completely tuned in and if the threads (arrow, Figure 4) are secured with two center punches 180~ apart.
3. Check tightening torque (18 +/- 2 N-m/13 +/- 1.5 lb.ft.) on both mounting screws.

Remedy if screws are too loose

1. Unscrew mounting screws and inspect thread.
2. Apply loctite, part no. 002 989 94 71, to mounting screw threads and tighten to 18 N-m/13 lb.ft.
3. Stake upper mounting screw (arrow) with center punch at outside diameter of thread at two places 180~ apart. Support screw head with 5 lb. hammer (Figures 4, 5).

Remedy if guide link is too tight

1. Remove guide link.
2. Install new guide link without loctite (make sure that both screws can be swiveled by hand).
3. Tighten mounting screws to 18 N-m/13 lb.ft.
4. Stake upper mounting screw (arrow) with center punch at outside diameter of thread at two places 180~ apart. Support screw head with 5 lb. hammer (Figures 4, 5).

Reinstall all parts in reverse order from removal.



Parts Information