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Mercedes 380--450--560 SLs

437 messages,  Last post on Aug 26, 2009 at 7:45 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, Convertible

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#107 of 437 Trunk lock by burdawg May 17, 2002 (11:14 am)
Your vacuum trunk lock should work when the master element in the drivers door is operated, by unlocking with the key or opening the locked drivers door from inside. I don't recall if the SL had a valet override, I don't think so. You could have a problem with the vacuum element (solenoid) in the trunk next to the lock. It's behind an access panel next to the lock. If the central locking system works normally (no excessive leaks), I would suspect that the trunk element is getting stuck or the locking clip has slipped off the mechanism. Your locking system should have enough vacuum to operate reliably 6 - 7 times after shutting off the system, as long as the components are not leaking. On a 1980 there's a real possibility of leaks. The vacuum storage tank is in the trunk on this model I believe. A real easy way to see if the system is sound is to run the car, then shut it off and lock the doors. Check the fuel door to see if is locked. If it is, then let the car sit for awhile, perhaps overnight, and check it again. The locking pin on the fuel door is spring loaded (it's the only element that is), so if the vacuum is leaking out, it will unlock by itself. Let me know if I can help you, I have quite a bit of experience with the locking system, climate control, and electronics on these models. Replies to this message: edray (Sep 30, 2006 8:07 pm) Mr_Shiftright (Oct 01, 2006 8:07 am) edray (Oct 01, 2006 9:24 pm) and 1 more... burdawg (Oct 01, 2006 4:06 pm)
#108 of 437 by burdawg May 17, 2002 (11:24 am)
When I said "shutting off the system" I meant shutting off the engine. I guess I tend to use technician speak.
#109 of 437 Trunk Lock by asc63 May 26, 2002 (1:27 pm)
My thanks to Burdawg for his help. It turns out the vacuum lines were reversed in the trunk, and now lock is operating as it should.   A new question for the group. My car (1980 450SL) has the Becker Mexico AM/FM cassette, with the 2 dash mounted speakers. Anyone have any experience upgrading to a AM/FM/CD unit, and adding addition speakers? Successfully? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
#110 of 437 by Mr_Shiftright HOST May 27, 2002 (9:28 am)
Switching to a CD should be a pretty straightforward procedure for any shop and I think the speakers can fit into that rear jump seat area, through the trunk. I'd avoid chewing up the doors if you can. Maybe there's some room in the lower kick panels, too.
#111 of 437 Driver's Seat not reclining by asc63 May 27, 2002 (7:18 pm)
Thanks for your advice on the stereo. This should be the last question (for awhile, I hope!), and perhaps someone has had experience with this. I am having trouble with the driver's side reclining bucket seat. Passenger side works fine (reclining quite far), whereas the driver's side binds, and winds up twisting, and won't recline far. I assume this is more due to such little use over the last 22 years.   Is this a simple fix through disassembling the seat and lubricating some parts? Does the back of the seat come off easily?   Any thoughts would be appreciated.
#112 of 437 Stereo by sddlw May 28, 2002 (2:31 pm)
My wife's '84 380SL already had aftermarket speakers in the doors. I had the door panel off to replace a window and they really did do quite a bit of damage to the structural steel of the door putting those speakers in. I'd try Shifty's suggestion and avoid the doors. But I think the gas tank is directly behind the jump seat area. You should investigate this from the trunk and see if there is enough room before you cut.   We had a custom auto-audio shop build subwoofer enclosure in the ledge area behind the seats. Started out by ripping out the existing pressboard and plywood and old speakers that were there and designing an accoustically correct sound box. It raised the height of the ledge about 2" from stock, bit gave enough room for a nice subwoofer and about a 1" tall slit opening facing forward. We then covered it with matching carpet. Can't even tell it's there, except when the stereo is on.
#113 of 437 New Wheels by sddlw Jul 10, 2002 (1:22 pm)
Just put on a new set of wheels to the 380SL and what a difference. Some purests will probably cringe, but we went with 16x 7.5 Italia Type 8 Mercedes Benze (knock-offs) with the blue and silver center emblem (like on the hood, with 235X50R16 Dunlops. Bye-bye old 14" rims and 70R profile tires. I like the look and feel of these much better.
#114 of 437 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Jul 10, 2002 (3:26 pm)
Is this the wheel?     Those are pretty nice, not all that different from the stock wheel really.
#115 of 437 wheel by sddlw Jul 11, 2002 (5:53 am)
Yup, that's it. Oh and with 225's. I miss-typed above. Certinly a big difference from the look of the original 14" wheels. I think it really updates the look.   It's funny, I'm always so impressed at how much difference new tires makes in the ride, and by 30 kmiles or so I've forgotten and am so suprised all over again. Probably some sort of pre-alzheimer's.
#116 of 437 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Jul 11, 2002 (8:39 am)
Well I meant by "not too different" in that they are both slotted wheels with a little hub in center--of course the design is different.   What I personally don't like on an SL is chrome wires. They are just wrong for the car, especially 14" wires. Wire wheels really need to be "big and airy" (so you can see through them) and also work best on cars that are somewhat old-fashioned in design (e.g., older British or American cars).

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