rxphiler

Okay guys I have a 2003 CLK 430 Cab and like many of you my hydraulic cylinders for the top are leaking. I have rebuilt two of the easy cylinders(rear bow lock and case cover lock) but now I need to rebuild the top drives and bow cylinders. I really like to do the work on my own cars. I know there are rebuild services out there but I don't want to pay that much money for their services. I now have found a place in Germany that makes the upgraded seals for these cylinders. MJ Produkte - Technische PKW Lösungen I bought seals for the four cylinders for 58.00 USD with shipping and they got here in about 10 business days from Germany(I live on the east coast). I have taken off the cylinders on one side of the car and I am ready to rebuild them. I have taken pics of the cylinders and will post more pics of the process when I get them apart. But that is where I am stuck. I don't know how to get the cylinders apart. The easy ones have videos online how to disassemble them but the big black ones don't. Any help would be appreciated and as I said before I will share pics and maybe a video of how to do this process. the part numbers of the cylinders I am referring to are 2088000072 and 2088000172. I have a friend who works on hydraulic stuff for tractors and such but I will have to travel to NC to get his help if it comes down to it. And no I am not trying to start a business of this I just like working on my own stuff and would rather pay $100 bucks to fix my top than $800 bucks warranty or not.


thanks

GatorMB

I was once like you, When I was much younger the only thing I left for the pros was Interior upholstery repairs and exhaust plumbing.

As much I would like to say that rebuilding these cylinders is as easy as a rear brake wheel cylinder. I let the pro's handle mine.

Top Hydraulics inc has the tooling to properly re machine the pistons and cylinders re bush as necessary. The cost is almost nothing compared to dealer service.

I don't think too many AMG folks are muscling the hydraulic cylinders either. It is too easy to swap them.
Hydraulic Cylinder repair is a trade in itself, You could try to PM Klaus @ tophydraulicsinc.com for the direction.

rxphiler

Thanks for the reply GATORMB. I have already figured out how to get the ends off of the cylinders and will be posting pic and how to once I am done. I have a friend back in NC that does hydraulic stuff for a living and he is walking me through it. I just wanted to do something different and not spend $800 bucks on the benz when I dont have too. Besides its my hobby I go through cars like underwear! Klaus has already chimed in on one of my post and he has been helpful.

sick430

Nice work, I am in the same boat as you. Its not about the money as it is that I enjoy the work. Also spending $800 when I know that at most its an hour of work and $50 in parts for something I can easily do is a waste.

Cant wait to see the pictures.

Gorhad

Looking forward to the update...may help dozens in the same situation