Hydraulic fluid leak
 

Hi all. I've been having to keep the fluid in my hydraulic top reservoir topped off lately. I finally got around to seeing where the leak is at today and it is very clearly coming from the cylinder that actuates the roll bar on the driver's side. I can see the fluid stream out when the system is activated and pressurized. Is there a write up on how to remove and replace this cylinder? I believe this unit shares the spring loaded deployment deal for the roll bar. So also, when I get it out, can any hydraulic shop fix it or is this a specialized repair procedure?

Here's the leak, FOUND!
Thanks in advance.

Found a tested and working cylinder on eBay for $35 shipped. Just some direction on how to change it out. Thanks again.

My personal choice would have been to send the leaking cylinder to Top Hydraulics in Oregon for a rebuild at a cost of perhaps $100.

The instructions for removing and replacing the cylinder are in the Mercedes WIS software, "Group 77". If you have a Star Diagnosis clone, then you have the WIS. If you do not, then you can wait and see if Rodney ("rudeney") or "Plutoe" see this thread and post the instructions. They may be the only two forum participants who possess both the savvy and willingness to print instructions from WIS to a file and post them to this thread.

The procedure to remove the cylinder is pretty lengthy. It's actually in "Group 91" in WIS. Here is the basic doc:

http://benzbits.com/r230/roof/RollBa...icCylinder.pdf

You'll also need this:

http://benzbits.com/r230/roof/LowerRollBarManually.pdf

There are others I'd have to dig into and print and post, such as locking the pawl on the roll bar cylinder, and the trim removal. Let me know if you decide to tackle this and I can get those others posted.

Went through the process and learned something new. IF one of these cylinders is leaking, IT IS NOT THE CYLINDER ASSEMBLY and there is no need to change it. These essemblies on the roll bar serve for the deployment of the roll bar in emergencies only. The only part in these that can leak fluid is the locking pawl, which is very easy to remove. The hydraulic ram that operates the roll bar is not this part and is on the passengers side of the car.

Again, is this part is leaking fluid, it's the locking pawl. There is no cylinder to leak in this assembly. The big cylinder is just a spring, that's all.

I really appreciate the assistance, but man, I wish someone would have said "Hey, there's no need to go through all that.".. LOL So I learned more about an SL500 today.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...76b06950b0.jpg


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...edf363e0ec.jpg

So after all that nonsense, the eBay unit leaks also. Soooo, I took the original locking pawl to my local hydraulic shop. He popped the snap ring out, pulled the plunger out, put on a new o-ring, and reassembled it in less than 5 minutes. Top Hydraulics get's $75 plus shipping for this procedure. He then handed it back to me and said "no charge, just bring us more hoses later."

Hosefast in Garland, TX. if any of you guys live the Dallas metroplex area. Excellent service! They've fixed two of my blown ABC hoses alreeady while I waited. $75 for the first one and $54 for the second one.

https://www.tophydraulics.com/r230-s...-cylinder.html