oil leaking near sun visor

[lnguyenh]

Thanks Bob, I will try to order it tomorrow through the suggested site. I will let you know the outcome.

[lnguyenh]

Bob,

I received the part (hydraulic cylinder) this afternoon. It looks so small just slightly bigger than my toe ?!?! From the amount of oil that leak from my sun visor, it is impossible to hold that much of oil. Am I getting the right part?

Also, do I need to add oil to that "toe" before I replace the old one or does it already come pre-oil (inside)?

As always, thanks for your help and sorry to ask so many questions. My first time fixing something so I just want to be sure.

Best,
SL

[lnguyenh]

BTW, the part I received look like the silver part on the left end of this picture, is it right?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&tc=photo&item=2435585561&ca tegory=33652

[bobterry99]

Congratulations. You got the right part. It does not have fluid already in it, but no need to add any. And no need to bleed the air out of the system either.

[lnguyenh]

I will try to fix it tommorrow's morning if it's not raining. Hope I don't have to tow my car to the shop [:D].

From the way you and other described, it seem like the simple job to do. Why (and how) did the dealer charge the other guy $1,600.00 for it?

Have a great weekend Bob. and thanks

[lnguyenh]

I replaced the hydraulic cylinder. You were right, it wasn't that tough consider I know next to nothing about car. I didn't have the star and hex keys though so it took me a while to replace it, well, 2 hours.

Now that when the front is finished, there seems to be a problem with the rear! when the soft top is in up (closed) position, things are fine. But when the soft top is in down (open) position, the "flap" cover (the one that looks like the U-shape when it is up), where it covers the compartment that holds the soft top does not want to go down. It stays straight up.

I looked into it to see if there were any of the hydraulic cylinders leaking but found none. Does any of you know what causes this not to work when the soft top is down?

If it doesn't close the whole time, then there must be a problem. Now that it only works half time (I know it is still a problem but) it confuses me.

Please see the pictures below. I have to manually push the cover for it to close (still doesn't lock though so the light on the switch still on).

Thanks in advance for any help.

Best,
SL

[bobterry99]

The problem is surely the signal to the controller that the top mechanism is lowered into the storage compartment. The plunger-like limit switch in the picture below on your car may not be closing.

When the opening operation stops, get out of the car and use a screwdriver to push down on the switch. If the switch had been open it should now be closed. Continue with the opening operation. If the compartment cover now closes as it should, you need to adjust the switch. If it still won't close, you will need to test the switch electrically through diagnostics.

If you need to adjust the switch, use a small flat-blade screwdriver to cause the switch to close with less plunger travel. I don't recall whether you loosen or tighten the screw to do this, but if you look at it closely I think you will figure it out.

[lnguyenh]

Thanks Bob. I have no idea what switch you were talking about but all of the sudden, the cover works again. I tried few times and it was fine so I guess I just cross my fingers for now. [:)]

It seems like you know everything about the R129? Are you a mechanic?

Just out of curiousity, why do they call it R129 while W208 (why not R208) ... what is the R and what is W? Seems like R's are for SL and SLK and W's are for the rest. Perhaps, R stands for Roadster? ... no idea [:P]

[bobterry99]

I'm not a mechanic. But I've always done my own repairs. And I've learned alot about the 129 convertible top because the first 300SL I owned had many problems.

That switch for the convertible top in compartment is in the area shown in the photo.

[lnguyenh]

Thanks Bob, I will take a look when it happens again.