SL/R129: Location of all your soft top/hard top hydraulic cylinders, and removal instructions
10-03-2011, 10:38 PM
#1
SPONSOR
Thread Starter
Location of all your soft top/hard top hydraulic cylinders, and removal instructions
Hello folks,
I haven't posted on this forum before, but am an R129 enthusiast with two daily drivers for my wife and I. Got into the business of rebuilding hydraulic cylinders for convertible tops by first rebuilding my own ones (making mistakes on the way), then helping out friends, and finally launching a real business that can handle volume, has perfect tools for the job, and has strict quality control. We have developed our own, long-lasting seals that far outperform the OEMs or what other "rebuilders" use. It's been such a great 'ride' thanks to our happy customers, that we have branched out into upgrading ALL Mercedes convertible cylinders, plus Porsche, BMW, VW/Audi, Saab, etc - they all use the same inferior seals that decay too quickly with time...
I thought I'd introduce myself to this forum with something useful. I have made hundreds of posts on other forums, mostly commenting or giving advice on DIY hydraulic top system repairs, and I have upgraded thousands of convertible cylinders myself. We have just added the schematic shown below to our website's FAQ section http://tophydraulicsinc.com/faq.html. Thought it might help out many readers on this forum, too, so I'm adding a copy to the bottom of this thread.
Are you worried about your automatic convertible top system leaking or not functioning properly? No sweat - we can probably solve your problems together on this forum, without you having to spend big bucks. If you don't find the solution in the archived threads, start a new one or post a question in this thread! One or more of the many helpful forum members will likely try to give you the best answer very quickly. For new members, please remember to fill out your profile with your car's model and your general location - it makes it much easier to respond efficiently.
MOST people can remove and re-install cylinders themselves. The removal instructions linked below are very detailed, with lots of photos. If you don't have much experience, just take your time and you will get there! If nothing else, you can still show the instructions to your mechanic as a way to negotiate a lower, fixed price for cylinder removal... :-)
Here are the links to the detailed removal instructions for the cylinders, and below is a low resolution copy of our diagram showing where the cylinders are located:
Front Lock Cylinders: http://tophydraulicsinc.com/R129%20F...%20Removal.pdf
Rear (Bow Window) Latch Cylinders: http://tophydraulicsinc.com/R129%20R...%20Removal.pdf
Tonneau (Case) Cover Lift Cylinders: http://tophydraulicsinc.com/R129%20T...0Cylinders.pdf
Case (Tonneau) Cover Lock Cylinder(s): http://tophydraulicsinc.com/R129%20T...0Cylinders.pdf
Bow Extension (Window Flip) Cylinders: http://tophydraulicsinc.com/R129%20B...%20Removal.pdf
Main Lift Cylinders: http://tophydraulicsinc.com/R129%20M...%20Removal.pdf
Hope this helps,
-Klaus
klaus@tophydraulicsinc.com
Klaus Witte, Top Hydraulics, Inc.
We upgrade and rebuild top hydraulic cylinders for Mercedes R129, R170, R171, R230, W124, W208, and W209,
as well as Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Saab, VW, Audi, and BMW convertibles :thumbsup:
Also rebuilding convertible pumps...
www.tophydraulicsinc.com
Check out Mercedes-Benz convertible top hydraulic system diagrams and DIY instructions here:
http://tophydraulicsinc.com/faq.html
(Click on the picture below, and you will get much better resolution. Go to our website for a crisp image...)
I haven't posted on this forum before, but am an R129 enthusiast with two daily drivers for my wife and I. Got into the business of rebuilding hydraulic cylinders for convertible tops by first rebuilding my own ones (making mistakes on the way), then helping out friends, and finally launching a real business that can handle volume, has perfect tools for the job, and has strict quality control. We have developed our own, long-lasting seals that far outperform the OEMs or what other "rebuilders" use. It's been such a great 'ride' thanks to our happy customers, that we have branched out into upgrading ALL Mercedes convertible cylinders, plus Porsche, BMW, VW/Audi, Saab, etc - they all use the same inferior seals that decay too quickly with time...
I thought I'd introduce myself to this forum with something useful. I have made hundreds of posts on other forums, mostly commenting or giving advice on DIY hydraulic top system repairs, and I have upgraded thousands of convertible cylinders myself. We have just added the schematic shown below to our website's FAQ section http://tophydraulicsinc.com/faq.html. Thought it might help out many readers on this forum, too, so I'm adding a copy to the bottom of this thread.
Are you worried about your automatic convertible top system leaking or not functioning properly? No sweat - we can probably solve your problems together on this forum, without you having to spend big bucks. If you don't find the solution in the archived threads, start a new one or post a question in this thread! One or more of the many helpful forum members will likely try to give you the best answer very quickly. For new members, please remember to fill out your profile with your car's model and your general location - it makes it much easier to respond efficiently.
MOST people can remove and re-install cylinders themselves. The removal instructions linked below are very detailed, with lots of photos. If you don't have much experience, just take your time and you will get there! If nothing else, you can still show the instructions to your mechanic as a way to negotiate a lower, fixed price for cylinder removal... :-)
Here are the links to the detailed removal instructions for the cylinders, and below is a low resolution copy of our diagram showing where the cylinders are located:
Front Lock Cylinders: http://tophydraulicsinc.com/R129%20F...%20Removal.pdf
Rear (Bow Window) Latch Cylinders: http://tophydraulicsinc.com/R129%20R...%20Removal.pdf
Tonneau (Case) Cover Lift Cylinders: http://tophydraulicsinc.com/R129%20T...0Cylinders.pdf
Case (Tonneau) Cover Lock Cylinder(s): http://tophydraulicsinc.com/R129%20T...0Cylinders.pdf
Bow Extension (Window Flip) Cylinders: http://tophydraulicsinc.com/R129%20B...%20Removal.pdf
Main Lift Cylinders: http://tophydraulicsinc.com/R129%20M...%20Removal.pdf
Hope this helps,
-Klaus
klaus@tophydraulicsinc.com
Klaus Witte, Top Hydraulics, Inc.
We upgrade and rebuild top hydraulic cylinders for Mercedes R129, R170, R171, R230, W124, W208, and W209,
as well as Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Saab, VW, Audi, and BMW convertibles :thumbsup:
Also rebuilding convertible pumps...
www.tophydraulicsinc.com
Check out Mercedes-Benz convertible top hydraulic system diagrams and DIY instructions here:
http://tophydraulicsinc.com/faq.html
(Click on the picture below, and you will get much better resolution. Go to our website for a crisp image...)
Last edited by Top Hydraulics; 10-04-2011 at 01:54 PM.
01-28-2015, 07:40 PM
#3
SPONSOR
Thread Starter
I see in your profile that you have a W209 CLK. Are you inquiring about the pressure relief valve on the CLK? That would be a 5-mm Allen bolt on the side of the pump.
If you are inquiring about the R129 system, there is no pressure relief needed. Once you turn the ignition off, all valves let the fluid depressurize back into the pump's reservoir.
Klaus
www.tophydraulicsinc.com
