Disclaimer for 1990-2002 Mercedes 129, SL Class Tops

Robbins Part Numbers 2042R, 3142R and 3152R; Tops and Rear Window Assemblies for Mercedes 129 Body, SL Class

The raising and lowering motion of 1990-2002 Mercedes 300SL, 500SL, 600SL, SL320, SL500 and SL600 convertible power top frames can cause fraying around window openings, plastic quarter window and center window seams to fail, plastic windows to crack, as well as rub holes and cause other severe abrasion damage. Mercedes has made numerous changes to the top and rear window assembly to try to overcome these problems. Ref. MBNA Service Information (S.I.) bulletins: 77/4, 77/12, 77/26A, 77/37, 77/39, and others which may be obtained from Mercedes.

Robbins has modified our 2042R, 3142R and 3152R tops and rear window assemblies to duplicate the changes Mercedes made, but these do not eliminate the basic problems caused by the top frame. Robbins therefore cannot be held responsible for any damage to our products caused by 1990-2002 SL top frames.

Thank you for your understanding.

ROBBINS TECHNICAL NOTES - Bindings

Original and Special Bindings for Convertible Tops
We duplicate the factory original style cloth or vinyl binding in manufacturing our convertible Tops. Single Fold Binding, Double Fold Binding, Hand-Rolled Binding and Folded Edge (No Binding) are the four styles of original bindings we use to finish our products. Stitching used to attach the binding can be seen in Single Fold and Double Fold Bindings, and can be seen in some Tops with folded edges. Stitching cannot be seen in Tops finished with Hand-Rolled Binding.

Examples of styles of bindings used in different Tops are:
Single Fold Cloth or Vinyl Binding: 2550 Ford of Europe Escort and 2062 VW Cabriolet.
Double Fold Cloth or Vinyl Binding: Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, General Motors (all except Allante), MG, Saab and many others. Double Fold is by far the most common style of binding.
Hand-Rolled Cloth or Vinyl Binding: An “R” will be added to the end of the item number to designate that the item has been ordered with Hand-Rolled Binding, such as 2040R GR BKT; or if Hand-Rolled in vinyl, an “RV” will be added such as 2080RV SF BKB. An additional charge is required for Hand-Rolled Cloth or Vinyl Binding to the Cloth or Vinyl list price for most items.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WHEN AN ITEM IS DESCRIBED IN THE CATALOG AS BEING MADE WITH HAND-ROLLED BINDING, THIS CHARGE IS ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE PRICE.

Folded Edge (No Binding): 2421 - 1989 Jaguar XJS; 2708 and 2709 - Baur BMW; 6215 and 6216 - Capri, 2305 - Renault R-19 and 2064 - 1995-On VW Cabriolet (Golf III in Europe) Tops are all made with NO Binding as original.
More Than One Style of Binding: Some Tops even use more than one style of Binding, such as 1990-97 Miata Tops which use both Single Fold and Double Fold Bindings.
Original Bindings that do not match Toppings in which Tops are made: We make our 1955-1976 Chevrolet, Cadillac, Corvette, Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac Tops with original style Crush Grain Binding when Tops are made in KV Pinpoint Grain Vinyl. Alfa Romeo and Ferrari Tops made in Cloth Toppings which are finished with Hand-Rolled Vinyl Binding are additional examples of original style bindings which do not match Toppings.

ROBBINS TECHNICAL NOTES - How To Measure a Bow Height

Check Bow Height Measurement BEFORE removing the old Top from your customer’s car.

To measure:
1.Locate the bottom center of the existing Glass or Plastic Rear Window where it meets the inner edge of the belt molding.
2.Place a yardstick or metal ruler flat against the Rear Window so one end rests against the inner edge of the rear finish molding, and measure to the middle of the rear bow.
3.The Bow Height measurement you have taken should not vary more than 1/2 inch from the figure listed in our Catalog. If the measurement is off more than 1/2 inch, reset the rear bow to the correct height before installation or our top and rear window will not fit correctly.

ROBBINS TECHNICAL NOTES - Hidem and Wire-On Trim

Many older Imported and nearly all Pre-1991 American Car Convertible Tops used Hidem or Wire-On trim across the rear bow.

• HIDEM: Available in all CG Bison Crush Grain Vinyl colors, most BS Everflex British Vinyl colors, KV BKB and KV WHB, most colors of our Robbins RC Cabrio Grain Vinyl, and most colors of our Sun-Fast Cloth.
• WIRE-ON: Available in many colors of our KV Grain Vinyl, CG BKB and CG WHB in our Crush Grain Vinyl, CH BKB and CH WHB Chrysler Crush Grain Vinyl, some colors of Sailcloth Single Texture Vinyl; and in Black, Blue, and Brown shades of our Sun-Fast Cloth.
• PLASTIC INSERT WIRE-ON: Available in Black, Oxford White, GM White, Ford White and other KV Grain Colors.

Sales Materials and Installation Videos

We have been producing Convertible Top installation training videos to assist trimmers installing our products for several years. The following Videos are available now, and we plan to make additional videos in the future.

ROBBINS TECHNICAL NOTES - Typical Top and Top Frame Diagrams

This series of diagrams is presented for the purpose of helping our customers better understand the terminology used to describe Convertible Tops, Glass and Plastic Rear Windows, Top Frames, etc. These diagrams are universal, and while no one diagram will show full details of a specific top, almost any part of any top will appear in one of these diagrams.

Model: 1990-97 MX-5 Miata equipped with Tops with Zipper Plastic Windows.

Robbins Part Numbers: 2900,2901 2906,2907 2908,2909

Technical Note: The plastic window should be unzipped before lowering the Convertible top to avoid creasing or cracking of the plastic window.

Instructions to unzip the plastic window before lowering the convertible top appear in the MX-5 Miata owners manual as can be seen below.
We also strongly recommend that MX-5 Miata owners follow another recommendation listed in the owner’s manual:

"Don’t raise or lower the top when the temperature is below 41ºF (5ºC)."

Lowering or raising the top in cold weather can cause creases to occur in tops and plastic windows, and in plastic windows can easily crack if folded in cold weather.

ROBBINS TECHNICAL NOTES: 2920-2923 PRODUCT INFORMATION

2920: M2 style top for 1990-97 Mazda Miata. This top has a non-heated glass rear window and No Zipper. Unlike our 2912 and 2913 tops, there’s no unzipping required before lowering the top, making operation identical to that of a 1999-On Miata top.

2921: Above top with Rain Rail

2922: Essentially a 2920 top with Heater/Defogger glass

2923: Above top with Rain Rail

Installation of bow straps at the rear of the top frame allows the top to safely raise and lower with nothing to unzip (Just as used on 1999-On Miata tops).

Instructions for 1996 Model Year Mitsubishi Eclipse Convertible
Left and right hand No. 2 Bow to No. 3 Bow Elastic Straps

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

1. Unlatch the convertible top and open it halfway
2. At the left and right hand undersides of the No. 3 bow, inspect for the old design elastic straps which may be existing. The old straps are secured to the No. 3 bow by a plate and two screws. (Fig 1)
• If the old design elastic straps are installed, go to Step 3.
• If the old design elastic straps are not installed, go to Step 5.
3. Remove and discard the two screws and the plate securing the old elastic strap to the No. 3 bow. (Fig 2).
4. Pull the old elastic strap downward, and using a sharp scissor, cut off the elastic strap within 1 inch of the stay pad material. Remove and discard the strap. Repeat for the other side. (Fig. 3) Then, go to Step 5.
5. Install the new alternate design straps to the left and right hand sides of the No. 2 and No. 3 bows. The plastic retainer sewn to the ends of the straps simply snaps over the bows just like the headliner retainers. The strap retainers must be positioned next to the headliner retainers. (Fig. 4)

Note: The elastic straps are not handed, and have no front to back orientation.

Note: The following steps address the control link flipper arms, which if bent must be either unbent or removed, and a new one installed in order for the convertible top to operate properly.

• If you are sure there is nothing wrong with the control link flipper arms, no further action is required.
• If you are not sure, go to Step 6.
6. Determine if the left and right hand No. 2 bow flipper arms are not bent. To do this, measure the distance from the center of the screw holding the flipper arm to the No. 2 bow down to the center of the pivot rivet on the control link assembly. (Fig. 5)

• If "X" is equal to, or greater than 205 mm (8 in.) the control link is okay. No further action is required.
• If "X" is less than 205 mm (8 in.), the control link will require replacement. You will need to install new control links. Order Link Assembly Control Package Mitsubishi p/n MR328561 (right-hand), or MR328562 (left-hand).

ROBBINS TECHNICAL NOTES: PORSCHE BOXSTER TOP (3161)

Condition: Cable sleeve hang up on the exterior channel when closing the top.

Repair: Add an 8" x 3/4" piece of heavy-duty elastic, 2 1/2" behind the Velcro on the left & right quarters, to guide cable sleeve into channel.

IMPORTANT, REGARDING 3162:
Glass window decreases the convertible tops range of opening at rear, and the rear will no longer stay open (in service position) without assistance. Robbins service strap; P/N 3162 STRAP can be used to hold the top in the service position. Every 1997-2002 Porsche Boxster owner using a retrofit glass window top should acquire a service strap.