SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: 2004 SL55 Trick to get the headliner off? Hydro fluid pours out when closing the roof
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2004 Mercedes SL55
2004 SL55 Trick to get the headliner off? Hydro fluid pours out when closing the roof
Need to get to the lines and see what blew. The top is not closed and not down. it's about 95% closed.
Do I need to get it opened in a half-open position to get to all the screws for the headliner and trim parts?
the Hydro is causing all kinds of issues, the reservoir tank is cracked and leaking out the bottom of the car. The shop told me my power steering pump has a crack and it's a $5600 repair.
Going to do it all myself over the winter. If I can find parts, once I get to look inside the roof.
Is there a schematic for the roof?
Thanks in advance!
Zulfur
Do I need to get it opened in a half-open position to get to all the screws for the headliner and trim parts?
the Hydro is causing all kinds of issues, the reservoir tank is cracked and leaking out the bottom of the car. The shop told me my power steering pump has a crack and it's a $5600 repair.
Going to do it all myself over the winter. If I can find parts, once I get to look inside the roof.
Is there a schematic for the roof?
Thanks in advance!
Zulfur
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 75
Likes: 2
From: Ontario, Canada
2005 SL55 amg, 2009 Lincoln MXZ, 2012 Dodge 2500 Limited
You most likely blew a seal in the latching hyd. cylinder. I just blew one of mine on a 2005 sl55 and had it replace at the dealer for $1500 cdn. It's a bit of an undertaking as MB design incorporates a one piece latch cylinder/hyd hose. You just can't replace the leaking cylinder latch as the hose is crimped onto cylinder and It's all one piece. The hose/cylinder was about $650 cdn and it took 6 hours of labour. Be careful not to let any of the hydraulic oil come in contact with rubber mouldings on your roof as it will deform the mouldings costing more $$$.
If your hydraulic pump is pouched your going to need to replace it and also will need to have the star system re-enable it's operation. When mine went, i tried to operate it a few times and when pump became low on oil it was automatically disabled by the car to prevent pump damage.
There's two latching cylinders in the headliner, if it was a cylinder seal failure you may want to replace them both while you have it all torn down.
If your hydraulic pump is pouched your going to need to replace it and also will need to have the star system re-enable it's operation. When mine went, i tried to operate it a few times and when pump became low on oil it was automatically disabled by the car to prevent pump damage.
There's two latching cylinders in the headliner, if it was a cylinder seal failure you may want to replace them both while you have it all torn down.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 65
Likes: 13
From: Tampa, Florida
2003 SL55; 2001 SLK320; 2005 C240
Diagram of all the roof cylinders
Sulfur, where are you located? How mechanically inclined are you? The cylinder can be rebuilt and you could do it yourself. There are kits on eBay that include instructions:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/03-11-Merce...!US!-1&vxp=mtr
This can be done without removing the line all the way to the pump.
If you completely remove the cylinder, there are 2 places that can rebuild it for you, Cabriolet Hydraulics in Florida and Top Hydraulics in Oregon. Cabriolet Hydraulics also has a repair where you cut the line and then use a coupling kit to reassemble.
There is is only one cylinder that locks the roof to the windshield.
Tim
Last edited by El_Toro_33809; Dec 2, 2017 at 08:14 AM.
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Joined: May 2015
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From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
Top hydraulics also makes a repair splice piece for the top one, so you don't have to chase the lines all the way to the pump and back. It's a PITA, i did one a couple months ago for a customer. Everything breaks when you take it apart on these old cars, the glue that holds the clips to the trim panels is dead at this age.
