SL/R129: POLL - Convertible Top Hydraulic Cylinder R&R
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 391
Likes: 6
From: So California
2000 SL500
POLL - Convertible Top Hydraulic Cylinder R&R
I have seen so much talk about Convertible Top Hydraulic Cylinder R&R that I would like to take a poll on the following.
1) Which Hydraulic Cylinders have you replaced? Front, Center, Rear?
2) How was the service performed? DIY, INDY, or STEALER?
3) What year did you perform the repair?
4) What year is your R129?
5) Do you have any additional information that you feel is important to the poll?
1) Which Hydraulic Cylinders have you replaced? Front, Center, Rear?
2) How was the service performed? DIY, INDY, or STEALER?
3) What year did you perform the repair?
4) What year is your R129?
5) Do you have any additional information that you feel is important to the poll?
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
1. front
2. diy
3. 2 months ago
4. 1995
5. I had my old cylinders rebuilt. MUCH CHEAPER THAN NEW $30cylinder plus 10.00 shipping and FAST turn around. This may be a good alternative to costly new cylinders. Here is his contact info:
Mr. Dennis Ficken
16285 S. Chester
Olathe, KS 66062
email: mainshipmed@sbcglobal.net
Here is a great post on removing the cylinders
http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/R129TopRelease
Im no MB mechanic and I had them out and in the mail within an hour following the directions
2. diy
3. 2 months ago
4. 1995
5. I had my old cylinders rebuilt. MUCH CHEAPER THAN NEW $30cylinder plus 10.00 shipping and FAST turn around. This may be a good alternative to costly new cylinders. Here is his contact info:
Mr. Dennis Ficken
16285 S. Chester
Olathe, KS 66062
email: mainshipmed@sbcglobal.net
Here is a great post on removing the cylinders
http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/R129TopRelease
Im no MB mechanic and I had them out and in the mail within an hour following the directions
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
SL 500
5. I had my old cylinders rebuilt. MUCH CHEAPER THAN NEW $30cylinder plus 10.00 shipping and FAST turn around. This may be a good alternative to costly new cylinders. Here is his contact info:
Mr. Dennis Ficken
16285 S. Chester
Olathe, KS 66062
email: mainshipmed@sbcglobal.net
Here is a great post on removing the cylinders
http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/R129TopRelease
Im no MB mechanic and I had them out and in the mail within an hour following the directions
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Convertible Hydraulic Cylinders
Send me an e-mail and I can send you pdf files on the removal of the cylinders.
If you need any hydraulic cylinders rebuilt, I charge $30 per cylinder + $10 total shipping-2 cylinders would be $70. I highly recommend having them repaired in pairs. In most cases I can have the cylinders back in the mail the following business day.
You can find discussions about my work on benzworld.org or mercedesshop.com in the SL forums.
Dennis Ficken
16285 S. Chester
Olathe, Ks 66062
(913) 390-0506
mercedescylinders@sbcglobal.net
mainshipmed@sbcglobal.net
If you need any hydraulic cylinders rebuilt, I charge $30 per cylinder + $10 total shipping-2 cylinders would be $70. I highly recommend having them repaired in pairs. In most cases I can have the cylinders back in the mail the following business day.
You can find discussions about my work on benzworld.org or mercedesshop.com in the SL forums.
Dennis Ficken
16285 S. Chester
Olathe, Ks 66062
(913) 390-0506
mercedescylinders@sbcglobal.net
mainshipmed@sbcglobal.net
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
R&R R129 Top Cylinders
Timely Issue.
Left Center Cylinder blew last week. (one just to rear of door that puts top up and down.)
Ordered MB DVD to see how to remove and replace.
Was Quoted $160 to $200 for each cylinder and 3 hours labor per side. These were local non dealer shops. Have 3 within 20 miles of Pinehurst.
Car is a 1990 300SL with about 60k which I got last spring from a relative in Fla.
Cylinder was gushing, not leaking. Still Repairable?
Should I have more than the pair rebuild??
As a new MB owner input is appreciated.
Left Center Cylinder blew last week. (one just to rear of door that puts top up and down.)
Ordered MB DVD to see how to remove and replace.
Was Quoted $160 to $200 for each cylinder and 3 hours labor per side. These were local non dealer shops. Have 3 within 20 miles of Pinehurst.
Car is a 1990 300SL with about 60k which I got last spring from a relative in Fla.
Cylinder was gushing, not leaking. Still Repairable?
Should I have more than the pair rebuild??
As a new MB owner input is appreciated.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 391
Likes: 6
From: So California
2000 SL500
Left Center Hydraulic Cylinder
Left Center Cylinder blew last week. (one just to rear of door that puts top up and down.) Was Quoted $160 to $200 for each cylinder and 3 hours labor per side. These were local non dealer shops. Car is a 1990 300SL with about 60k. Cylinder was gushing, not leaking. Still Repairable? Should I have more than the pair rebuild??
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129...ylinder-r.html
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
How do you release the top on a 99 500 SL
I am trying to remove the Hydraulic Cylinders for rebuild on my 99 and can not figure out how to release the top. It quit working in the down position. I call MB and a Tech called back but he was sure. Had never done it before. A friend has a 94 that has the releases in the truck, but I don't see them in my 99. Help.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 391
Likes: 6
From: So California
2000 SL500
I am trying to remove the Hydraulic Cylinders for rebuild on my 99 and can not figure out how to release the top. It quit working in the down position. I call MB and a Tech called back but he was sure. Had never done it before. A friend has a 94 that has the releases in the truck, but I don't see them in my 99. Help.
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Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, LA.
92 500SL
Send me an e-mail and I can send you pdf files on the removal of the cylinders.
If you need any hydraulic cylinders rebuilt, I charge $30 per cylinder + $10 total shipping-2 cylinders would be $70. I highly recommend having them repaired in pairs. In most cases I can have the cylinders back in the mail the following business day.
You can find discussions about my work on benzworld.org or mercedesshop.com in the SL forums.
Dennis Ficken
16285 S. Chester
Olathe, Ks 66062
(913) 390-0506
mercedescylinders@sbcglobal.net
mainshipmed@sbcglobal.net
If you need any hydraulic cylinders rebuilt, I charge $30 per cylinder + $10 total shipping-2 cylinders would be $70. I highly recommend having them repaired in pairs. In most cases I can have the cylinders back in the mail the following business day.
You can find discussions about my work on benzworld.org or mercedesshop.com in the SL forums.
Dennis Ficken
16285 S. Chester
Olathe, Ks 66062
(913) 390-0506
mercedescylinders@sbcglobal.net
mainshipmed@sbcglobal.net
I've used Dennis on my 95 320 and he was very professional and quick. I highly recomend!
Dennis, BTW: How much do I owe you with the overnight?
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
2017 C300W4 2018 GLE350W4 2018 E400A
Front hydraulic cylinders. Dennis Ficken did the rebuild. The SL community is very fortunate to have his services available. The quality of the work, cost and turn around time where amazing. Thank you Dennis. 
