Mercedes A208 CLK - How to replace a broken tension cable in the convertible top

Klaus of Top Hydraulics, Inc. shows you how to replace a broken steel tension cable in the convertible top of a Mercedes Benz A208 CLK-Class Cabriolet.
The Mercedes part number for the front tension cables is A 208 770 18 65.

[@jammiedodger2397]

Smashing info instantly got all the answers needed about my cable and straight forward fix instructions. Thanks

[@everycarSeattle]

awesome video, thanks for the help!

[@josephajibade4246]

Thanks this is useful. I seem to have a misaligned top, as it doesn’t close flush to the front. Hopefully doing this will help. Also seem to have a leaky roof... found out in a car wash

[@RobertMcGullam]

Thanks for the video Klaus, Robert, Dallas European Auto

[@TopHydraulics]

Hello Robert, I'm glad that this video was helpful even for an experienced customer like you. I had seen some remarks on a forum years ago on how someone fixed his cables, and was almost delighted to see the cables being bad on this car while we made all the other videos on removal of the cylinders and the pump. This car had been on the coast for a while, which resulted in more corrosion than usual and some cables popping.

[@frankiejones465]

@@TopHydraulics hi, im having a hard time w/my left side top arm .. Right by the window & wont close all the way 2 the top ... What would u suggest .. ???

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

On an A209 (mine is a 2004 CLK Cabriolet), there is some kind of cord/cable that guide the roof into the boot. Any idea how to repair/replace these? It's not a metal cable, but rather some kind of nylon/cord/rope, which I believe prevents the lining of the hood getting jammed when the roof is on motion. Any advice on that please?

[@religious666]

Can you do this video, but. for the R129 SL500? I am having this problem on mine. Just found out, thru your video, what causes it.

[@TopHydraulics]

Tension cable failures on R129 SLs are rare at this point and the symptoms are different. For example, the R129 does not have a tension cable between first and third bow, only in the rear.

[@religious666]

@@TopHydraulics Any suggestions or ideas why my top slams to close. And It does slam. All the other operations by the top are good .

[@TopHydraulics]

@@religious666 The top slamming on an R129 would be caused either by the fluid level in the pump being too low or by the computer not getting the signal that the top is past the highest point. There is a switch in the top's frame that indicates the top being at the highest point, which makes the computer pressurize the main lifts on both ends and slow down the top's movement. For more details, you could post a question on one of the R129 videos.

[@youngxtho5188]

Just bought a 00 clk last sat, and everything works but the top. When I try to activate the top I only hear the motor try but nothing moves. Any idea on what to look for first ?

[@TopHydraulics]

Congrats on the new ride! Most likely, you have a leak somewhere and the pump has run out of fluid. Here is how to check the fluid level in the pump: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5ysc4B-a7aKnck

[@tvlpattillo1]

Can you advise on the flap cables not operating?

[@TopHydraulics]

Thanks for ask, I cannot advise on those.

[@grantjoel1992]

Hi Klaus, you mention a second cable at the back of the roof hood. If this was broken would it affect the rear window section of the bow folding up and down automatically. I have a w208 with a none functioning roof. It unlocks at the bow lock but the rear window doesn't go up at all to its supposed 90 degree angle for the next stage. The pump runs for approx ten seconds and then cuts out.. The pump has plenty of fluid and I have changed the relay. Any thoughts ?

[@TopHydraulics]

Thanks for asking. It appears to me that you have an electrical problem. A broken rear cable will not prevent the rear bow (rear section of the soft top) from going up. Most likely, you have a bad electrical wire going from the rear bow lock micro switch to the controller. If the controller does not get the signal that the rear bow is unlocked, then it will not start lifting the rear bow. The wiring harness for the rear bow lock micro switch is routed along the right storage cover hinge down to the controller next to the pump. It is prone to failure where the harness flexes a lot upon movement of the storage cover. In this case, it appears as if the two wires are shorting to each other and thus signalling that the rear bow is still unlatched, even though the switch on the rear bow has been pushed already. Just to clarify: rear bow locked is closed circuit, rear bow lock open is open circuit. I would suggest that you trace the harness from the rear bow lock down to the controller and unwrap it where it flexes a lot below the storage cover. I'll bet you will find two wires with failed insulation shorting to each other. Cut out the bad wires and splice in some new ones.

[@grantjoel1992]

@@TopHydraulics Ok great, I'll strip them back and have a look. Hopefully I'llget back to you with a positive result. Appreciate your help.

[@jamesb4686]

hi klus the second cable at the back of the roof, whats the part number? with the broken cable (front or first) you klamp it first? is there an opening up top? or put the cable into the whole and then klamp? thanks for the info.

[@francoisnel7769]

Grant any news?

[@Nrsouth12]

Hi I recently replaced my passenger side cable roof still doesn’t work and my passenger side fuse keeps blowing any ideas? (Prior to changing I was able to close the roof with the switch but I had to manually open it.

[@Nrsouth12]

Window fuse that is and sometimes all my wind owes read headrests and seats won’t work until I disconnect battery

[@TopHydraulics]

@@Nrsouth12 The fuse for the window blowing should be related to the window regulator drawing too much current. I cannot see any relation of that to you having changed the steel cable for the roof. The seats not working should be unrelated to the roof, as well.

[@Nrsouth12]

Top Hydraulics okay thanks. Also i used to be able to manually put the top down and close it with the switch but after I changed the steel cable when I manually put the top down The switch doesn’t close the top like it did prior to changing the cable

[@Bxndo7]

I have a clk My head rest want go down whats is the best solution

[@TopHydraulics]

Thanks for asking. I take it that your CLK is a Model year '98-'03. Let's start out with two questions: 1) Did you raise the headrest yourself, or did it come up by itself when you drove over a bump? 2) Have you followed the instructions in your owner's manual on lowering the headrest after emergency deployment? That would be to push the roll bar UP button for some five seconds, then DOWN. Here is the video in which we talk about the roll bar (rear headrest) system: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKLSg3R3hamagck

[@freddiecarrau306]

I have a car Mercedes-Benz clk500 2004 in top enter water I need help

[@TopHydraulics]

A 2004 would be a W209 chassis. Feel free to contact us directly through our website: tophydraulics.com