2005 Mercedes SL600 roof jam and loose mechanism bolt
ShoeBoote’s photographs of a loose rear roof-mechanism bolt and the same author’s follow-up after reinstalling it.
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A roof stopped after opening a few inches
ShoeBoote reported that the roof on a 2005 SL600 stopped after opening roughly three or four inches. A short bolt had come loose from a rod at the rear roof mechanism. The author was unsure whether the loose bolt caused the jam or came loose because the mechanism jammed.
The two sides photographed for comparison
The opening post documents the loose bolt and compares the intact left-side assembly with the right-side area where the bolt was missing. The author reported that access to the hole was obstructed and suspected some thread damage; the post does not provide a measured thread specification.
The roof position when the problem was reported
The wider photographs show the partially open roof when the author asked how to reach the bolt location. These are photographs of the fault condition, not a complete removal or repair sequence.
The original author’s follow-up
In the follow-up, ShoeBoote said the console roof switch moved the trunk lid far enough to gain access, without using the suggested key-operated service position. The author pressed the obstructing component down, reinserted the bolt using a T30 tool, and reported using a small amount of grease and blue threadlocker. The roof closed and, after a day or two, opened and closed again without a problem. A cloth was placed below the working area to catch a dropped bolt. The post reports this individual result; it does not establish the initial cause, a tightening torque or long-term durability.