SL/R129: soft top leak issue
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 2
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300 Sl mod 93
soft top leak issue
i have a Mercedes sl 129 model 1993, i changed the seals for the front lock cylinders, main lift cylinders, bow extension cylinders and the system is working well opening and closing, but during the opening or closing process, i have a leak coming from the distributor above the front middle mirror, any help please about what to do.
thank you
thank you
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 428
Likes: 96
From: Houston
001 s600, 94 sl600
Why didn't you do all the other hydraulic seals in the system. They will all fail shortly.Why MBZ chose polyurethane as the seal material is not known. There is little/no cost savings (and no performance improvement) to be had in this 'low volume' application by using an inferior seal material. What IS known is the OEM seals WILL FAIL in 10 years or so, irrespective of top operating cycles. A 'new old stock' OEM seal or cylinder will still fail 10 years or so from the 'cure date' of the seal. NITRILE seals have 30-50 year lifetimes (NEVER fail inservice) in petroleum base hydraulic or engine oils, and fail from actual wear or extremely high temperatures (well beyond oil temp limits.)
True 'synthetic' fluids based on 'esters' were developed for use in the pressurized B-21, B-47, and B-52 military aircraft which operated above 30,000 feet where temperatures were -70F. Those 'jet aircraft' hydraulic and lubricant oils DID require seal materials different from the Nitrile standard material.
True 'synthetic' fluids based on 'esters' were developed for use in the pressurized B-21, B-47, and B-52 military aircraft which operated above 30,000 feet where temperatures were -70F. Those 'jet aircraft' hydraulic and lubricant oils DID require seal materials different from the Nitrile standard material.
