94 sl320 convertible top problems hydraulic fluid leak - malfunctioning

[SunGuy]

Originally Posted by jake dijkstra

I just finished replacing all small cylinders in the top (12)
I found that if one leaks they will all leak. examination of the seals showed this is just an age issue . they crack. Just so everyone knows these cylinders can be rebuild by good hydraulic shops for about 40 bucks or less each/ (Marion Hydraulics in Ocala Florida).That is as opposed to 190.00 or so each for the least expensive new ones through benz. Dont buy used ones they wont last.
Now that the car is together again(its a pretty straight forward job) It will not sequence correctly.
In essence with the top locked windows up . the windows come down rear window part unlocks and lifts and then the storage cover pulls down instead of up. the sequence stops there , and it can be reversed,
With the top locked open in place nothing happens. I did disconnect the battery to reset the computer,
Anyone have any ideas? All hydraulic lines are numbered and in place.
One last comment . Do not lose the little locking tabs on the cylinders. They are one cent items but Mercedes requires the purchase of a whole new cylinder to replace them.
This while I am sure there is a box somewhere in germany with 10.000 in it. captaindijkstra@aol.com

Please post the contact info for Marion Hydraulics in Ocala-

Thanks-

Bob

[dennis300sl]

Bob,

I can repair any of your cylinders for $30 each + $10 total shipping. Be sure to check all of the cylinder for leaks to save on shipping costs. I recommend that which ever cylinders you have repaired to do both sides of the car. The increase in pressure in the system when the leak is fixed could blow out the old seal in the cylinder you didn't have repaired. I can turn around most cylinders the day after I receive them.

Dennis Ficken
16285 S Chester
Olathe, Ks 66062

(913) 390-0506

[mroliveira]

Hi Dennis,
Are you still rebuilding the cylinders for the 1993 Mercedes?
Thanks.
Marcio

[dennis300sl]

Marcio,

We're still at it, $40 per cylinder for any of the soft top cylinders and $15 total for return shipping via USPS Priority insured mail per order. We normally have the cylinders repaired and back in the mail the day after we receive them. We warranty the seals we replace for 3 years.

Make sure to check all of the cylinders carefully for signs of leaks. MB used the same seal material in all of the cylinders so they deteriorate at roughly the same rate.

Dennis Ficken
16285 S. Chester
Olathe, Ks 66062

mercedescylinders@sbcglobal.net

(913) 544-4521 Cell

[lynns]

Originally Posted by dennis300sl

Marcio,

We're still at it, $40 per cylinder for any of the soft top cylinders and $15 total for return shipping via USPS Priority insured mail per order. We normally have the cylinders repaired and back in the mail the day after we receive them. We warranty the seals we replace for 3 years.

Make sure to check all of the cylinders carefully for signs of leaks. MB used the same seal material in all of the cylinders so they deteriorate at roughly the same rate.

Dennis Ficken
16285 S. Chester
Olathe, KS 66062

mercedescylinders@sbcglobal.net

(913) 544-4521 Cell

If you want to save on shipping go with $10.00 USPS Priority Flat Rate envelope OR $15 total return shipping if it has to go in a Priority Flat Rate box.

My snail mail delivery (USPS Priority Flat Rate envelope) was from Olathe, KS 66062 to Irvine, CA 92606 and it took 4 days.

[dennis300sl]

We're still repairing the hydraulic cylinders for both the R129 SL's and the W124 Cabriolet for $40 each. Make sure to call or e-mail to verify the price as it could change over the years. Due to liability issues, we aren't able to repair the roll bar cylinders. We warranty the repairs for three years.

Return shipping is $10 total ONLY if the cylinders will fit in a USPS Priority Flat Rate envelope OR $15 total return shipping if it has to go in a Priority Flat Rate box. Once again, shipping charges will change when shipping rates change so call or e-mail to check. We don't believe in making a profit on shipping. A prepaid UPS or FedEx return shipping label can be put in the box with the cylinders when they are shipped to us instead of us shipping through the Post Office.

Our usual turn-around time is 1-2 days but may be longer depending on our workload.

mercedescylinders@sbcglobal.net

Dennis Ficken
16285 S. Chester
Olathe, KS 66062

(913) 544-4521 Cell

[comandantestr]

Hy everybody!

I have an sl 320 and the softtop is not working anymore. The car was in a garage for about 8 years old. i have checked all the oil levels on the hidraulic pumps and there is no leak or signs of damage. if i get the softtop close to the locking system , mannually, and then i push the closing button .. the system works and loks it. But if i want to the operation normally nothing happends. the button just lights up red color and the softtop is not mooving. no mather if i try to close or open the softtop. So if you can please help me and let me know what else should i check and where are located all the components that my have problems and belongs to this system, i would be so greatfull. Please excuse my english and my way of explaining the problem but i'm from europe. Is bassicley simple. The softop is not working. Only mannualy and only if i push it into the back holes than he can lok it. That's the only think my softop does. Please help
Thanks

[tecqboy]

Welcome to the forum. Check out this "ultimate" thread over on the MB World Forum for help. http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/1324795-r129-soft-top-controller-roll-bar.html

[bobterry99]

First, I woud put the top completely up or down. Then to troubleshoot I would read/erase all of the existing codes. Next I would operate the top. When the top quits moving continue to hold the switch until 2 minutes elapse or the light in the switch flashes -- whichever comes first. Now at this point there should be a diagnostic code stored in the controller identifying your problem.

The procedure for reading and erasing codes on your car is described here: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/1266535-diagnostics-sl-pre-94-a.html? You simply need a wire or paper clip and an LED. Some LEDs have a built-in resistor so they can operate at 12VDC, which is what you want. If you use a typical LED that lacks the resistor, then you will need to have a 1K-ohm or similar resistor in series with the LED to limit the current and protect it from burning-out.

[harley03joe]

Originally Posted by dennis300sl

We're still repairing the hydraulic cylinders for both the R129 SL's and the W124 Cabriolet for $40 each. Make sure to call or e-mail to verify the price as it could change over the years. Due to liability issues, we aren't able to repair the roll bar cylinders. We warranty the repairs for three years.

Return shipping is $10 total ONLY if the cylinders will fit in a USPS Priority Flat Rate envelope OR $15 total return shipping if it has to go in a Priority Flat Rate box. Once again, shipping charges will change when shipping rates change so call or e-mail to check. We don't believe in making a profit on shipping. A prepaid UPS or FedEx return shipping label can be put in the box with the cylinders when they are shipped to us instead of us shipping through the Post Office.

Our usual turn-around time is 1-2 days but may be longer depending on our workload.

mercedescylinders@sbcglobal.net

Dennis Ficken
16285 S. Chester
Olathe, KS 66062

(913) 544-4521 Cell

******************************************************

Well Today I Pulled Out 6 Leaking Hyd Cyl,
Both tonnwau Cover Cyl,
2 Main Cyl, And
2 Bow Extension, Just For Starters Took Me About 4 Hours.

And Send Them To Dennis Ficken At 16285 S. Chester Olathe, KS 66262
(913) 544-4521 Cell mercedescylinders@sbcglobal.net

He Does A Great Job At Very Very Good Prices
And I Want To Thank You Guys And Gals For Telling Me About Dennis What A Great Guy And Person Thank You All.

The Job Was Fairly Easy, Only If You Have The Bals To Start The Job Ha Ha
Next I'LL Put On A New Top By Myself
So You Know The Benz Dealer Down Here In South Florida Wanted
Parts $4,000.00 For Parts And $5,000.00 For Labor ith A 90 Day Warranty
Thats B/S I'm Doing It All For $300.00
Also Got A Very Good Used Front Bumper From Cal. To Put On Next Week
After Its Painted It Will Cost $900.00.
Then Im Done
Harley03joe

******************************************************
Well I Paid $3,000 For The Car, It Was My Doctors Car He Got A New One And Sold Me This 96 SL 500.

I Only Have Two Tips For The Cyl Removal #1 On The Lest Side You Have To Take The 3 Screws Out Of The Switch And Move The Switch Aside, Use A #1 Phillips Magnetized So You Don' Drop The Screws, And #2 If You Have A Bose System The Box Behind The Drivers Seat In The Compartment Is Held Down By 3 Nuts 10 MM And Also Is Held In Place By A two Way Pad Like Two Way Tape BUT Its The Size On The Whole Box, So You Will Have To Pry Up On It Real Easy But It Will Come Up, Mine Came Up Fairly Easy. And You Must Use M-Benz Hyd Oil, And Also You Need Real Big COJONES To Stat This Job

Lynns E-mail Me At Jjvjjv@aol.com And I'LL Send You The Instructions That Dennis Sent To Me Ok, Then You Can But It In The Stickies
Thanks
Harley03joe

[harley03joe]

Removed By Harley03joe

[neworleansboy20]

can anyone tell me how many cylinders in a 1998 sl500 i know my rear pasenger cylinder is leaking behind the wheel weld and how hard would it be to replace them

[lynns]

Originally Posted by neworleansboy20

can anyone tell me how many cylinders in a 1998 sl500 i know my rear passenger cylinder is leaking behind the wheel weld and how hard would it be to replace them

Your car should have ten hydraulic cylinders that work the roadster soft top (RST) and one for the roll bar.

If your going to replace one rear RST cylinder seal it's my suggestion that you consider doing ALL eight. Sometimes replacing just one creates additional pressure on the total system and you will find that additional leaks that take place not much later. Not to mention the amount of labor required to do one cylinder vs. all the rear cylinders.

Please see/read http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/1307426-r129-soft-top-hydraulic-system-ultimate.html#post2262978

[Lighthouse]

Originally Posted by neworleansboy20

can anyone tell me how many cylinders in a 1998 sl500 i know my rear pasenger cylinder is leaking behind the wheel weld and how hard would it be to replace them

You probably got the job done already, but the following may help others who read this thread later.

Below are links to detailed step-by-step instructions for inspection, removal, and re-installation of the cylinders. The instructions rate the degree of difficulty, as well.

There are 12 top hydraulic cylinders in Models 90-96, and 11 in Models 97-02. The models from 97-02 have only one tonneau cover lock, as opposed to two locks in the earlier models.

2 Front lock cylinders - easy to do:
http://tophydraulicsinc.com/R129%20Front%20Locking%20Cylinder%20Removal.pdf

2 Rear lock cylinders - easy to do:
http://tophydraulicsinc.com/R129%20Rear%20Locking%20Cylinder%20Removal.pdf

2 Tonneau cover lift cylinders - easy to do:
http://tophydraulicsinc.com/R129%20Tonneau%20Cover%20Lift%20Cylinders.pdf

1 or 2 Tonneau cover lock cylinders - easy to do:
http://tophydraulicsinc.com/R129%20Tonneau%20Cover%20Lock%20Cylinders.pdf

2 Bow extension cylinders - not hard to do; requires some patience and following the instructions exactly:
http://tophydraulicsinc.com/R129%20Bow%20Extension%20Cylinder%20Removal.pdf

2 Main lift cylinders - medium difficulty; it takes some time to get all the panels out of the way, but that is exactly where you save the big bucks compared to paying a shop for doing it:
http://tophydraulicsinc.com/R129%20Main%20Lift%20Cylinder%20Removal.pdf

Top Hydraulics upgrades and rebuilds all hydraulic cylinders for all Mercedes convertibles, plus BMW and Porsche. Top Hydraulics has developed longer lasting seals with PTFE back-shells. PTFE is the chemical acronym for Polytetrafluoroethylene, which DuPont has trademarked as Teflon.

[tarajeb]

Dennis Ficken is the real deal!!! In May 2011, I drove my 99' SL500 to Olathe, KS where Dennis inspected all 11 hydraulic cylinders and rebuilt my two front lock cylinders while I waited. As I watched him work, it became apparent that he's a skilled specialist that could perform this work in his sleep. He is a real professional and his work is dirt cheap compared to the dealership. I have to store my SL500 for about four years while I'm overseas, but I'll be back for maintenance on the remaining cylinders when I return. In the meantime, I'll be making a donation to the Wounded Warriors Project in Dennis' name to pay it forward and say thanks for the excellent service!