the straps that pull the bladder in are broken and why it sticks out when closing. Repair I would guess is expensive. When top is almost closed I push the bladder in to close the the seal from sticking out.

 

Yep, as @cytafex said, there are a series of elastic straps that pull the water bag behind the glass and canvas as the top articulates. It's not an easy job to replace them, but if you find a good canvas shop, they might do it for a reasonable amount. I'd say anything under $250 would be a good price.

 

I had the same problem on mine. I opened the roof up until I was able to get underneath the rear, to access the water-pockets. If you look in there, you should be able to see where the elastics have broken/perished. Its fiddly, but I managed to staple some new elastics into place, which now, 2 years later, are still doing the job.

 

Thank

Thank you, you gave me confidence that I could fix the problem.
Also, thank rude for your valuable document. Try to figure out the shape of this messy stuff.

 

I see a mess of soft fabric here. Does anyone know its shape, what is it used for?

 

The "C-pillars" on the canvas soft top are very complex. There is a water bag in there that has to expand as the glass tilts up and the curved shape of the canvas must flex as it folds into the trunk. There is a series of elastic and fabric straps made to pull the water bag and canvas back into place as the glass closes. The water bag is designed to catch and divert any water that finds its way between the glass and canvas. These straps are stitched on the water bag and canvas, are then attached to the metal frame of the soft top mechanism using hooks, rivets and screws. Just to give you an ide of the complexities of this, refer to the WIS doc for replacing the canvas:

https://benzbits.com/w209/soft_top/ReplaceCanvas.pdf

You'll see 75% of the document deals with the C-pillar system.

 

Can anyone give me a picture of the water bag, I do not know where it is in my benz.
Is this canvas separated from the protruded messy stuff?
Is the messy stuff the water bag?

 

This has about the best photo I could find in WIS:

https://benzbits.com/w209/soft_top/RepairWaterPocket.pdf

Basically, it's a vinyl "pocket" that sits on either side of the rear window. If you begin top open the top, but then stop it right after the glass is fully raised, you'll see it. Note that if you are going to work on it. you will need to use a suitable prop to keep the glass raised. A minute after you release the switch and the pump stops, the glass will drop down. If it does, you can lift it back up by hand.

 

Thank rudeney, the picture is very clear but I can not imagine where it is. Is this bag the left bag or the right bag?
As the guide in the pdf file, to repair it we have to remove the rear window first. Why?

 

I see a guide here, The work is not easy, it requires experience.

 

As Rodney mentioned, open the roof, and then stop it once the glass is raised fully. Then find something to prop the glass up, to prevent it from going down again. From your pic, it looks like its your left water pocket that is protruding. So have a look up and under to the left of the rear window glass. Have a look at the part that keeps getting pinched, and try and find the underneath of that. That is your water pocket. Then have a look for broken straps / elastics.

 

There is a bag on each side of the glass. You have to remove the glass because the water bag attaches to its frame.

 

Does anyone know how to fix this protruded-out canvas? I see this broken rotten elastic string and do not know where it is connected to.
If anyone has A209 please check your car to see and help me.

This is the right side and I pulled it inside to take the picture.

This is the left side and I pulled it inside to take the picture.

 

Scroll up a few posts - it's in the WIS doc I posted about replacing the entire canvas. I know it's going to be hard to interpret, but it's about as good as you are going to find.

 

Thank rudeney, I checked all pictures in SM77.31-P-0001-01A and SM77.31-P-0001-02A but can not imagine where my rotten elastic straps are. It is easier for me if anyone checks his car and help me by let me know where it is connected to.

 

open the roof so the rear glass is raised, and have a look inside. try and find the other end of the broken straps/elastics.

 

I already opened the roof and raised the rear glass to take the pictures. Everything has gone and can not identify the other ends of the broken straps.

 

If the other side is not broken, compare them. Honestly, you may have to remove the rear glass to see this. It's not very difficult.

https://benzbits.com/w209/soft_top/RearWindow.pdf

If you do that, you are supposed to replace the foam gasket around the glass. The part number for the seal is on the WIS doc, but honestly, you could just go to Home Depot and buy a roll of their "Frost King" adhesive foam weather stripping that's the same width and use that, It's not rocket science - it's just to keep water out.

 

Do not know where the rotten straps attach to, but following the principle of using new elastic straps to pull it in and it works.

 

Does anyone know the actual length of the elastic straps for the bag? I am thinking that if it is only the straps that need replacing, I/we could sew or affix a new length where the broken one was.

 

Welcome to the forum @Enfoman - please take a moment to read the information on the link below. It explains how to update your user profile so that your car's details and your location appear on each post below your avatar. This is good information for others to know when trying to help. It also has good information about how the forums are organized and how to use the search feature:

Find your Forum Section, Navigate & Search

I am not sure what the length is. The new top I installed on mine came with excess elastic. What you did was pull it taught and then revit it to the frame. it was a bit of trail and error.

 

The new top I installed on mine came with excess elastic.

My top is showing it's age. You sourced yours from? Thx

 

I bought the Robbins brand canvas top. I ordered it from one of their authorized resellers on the east coast. I can't remember who it was, but Robbin's has a lit of retailers/installers:

Find a Convertible Top Installation Professional

Sales and service network of over 7,000 professional shops around the world. These automotive professionals have the expertise to ensure your convertible top is installed correctly.

robbinsautotop.com

 

Thank you.