Convertible top broken; hydraulic leak at rear wheel

[TheVpwr]

You find out for yourself...
http://www.calibermotors.com/parts.html

[bobterry99]

The prices of cylinders varies widely depending on the cylinder!

Don at Caliber sold me one for the front lock recently for about $130 (129-800-16-72) and the one for the compartment cover for about $175 (129-800-16-72). The most expensive cylinder is for the main top drive (129-800-02-72): $401.

[lynns]

Check out Parts.com - For every part of your life

[morriswu]

costs more than $700 !

[lynns]

Originally Posted by morriswu

costs more than $700 !

That's why I posted the above sites.
MSRP = $700.00
Price = $480.70

[Searobin]

Why don't you have a mechanic remove your old cylinders, and send the old ones (all of them) to Dennis Ficken to be rebuilt good-as-new?

Save yourself a lot of money.

Search my posts for my problem and solution.

Good Luck!

[SunGuy61]

Originally Posted by Searobin

Why don't you have a mechanic remove your old cylinders, and send the old ones (all of them) to Dennis Ficken to be rebuilt good-as-new?

Save yourself a lot of money.

Search my posts for my problem and solution.

Good Luck!

Searobin, I wholeheartedly agree and would add, 'better-than-new', as Dennis warrants his rebuilds for 3 years vs. MB parts warranty of either 90 days or 1 year at best. I think Dennis has made discussion of 'retail' largely irrelevant, except if the cylinder is so damaged during removal that it can't be repaired; then having these alternate sites to buy a replacement cylinder may come into play.

Bob

[stlouis]

Hi there,

I'm new to this forum stuff and also thanking God that i stumbled on this site, you don't know how many times i have received great info here. I have a '91 500sl and a month ago we replaced the two top struts (parts # 129 800 16 72), noticed this afternoon we now have a leak dripping from right behind the left rear tire. I'm not very good with cars and saw the above diagram, am wondering which part is likely to be leaking... There seems to be many hydraulic pistons in the car and i'm kinda at a loss for which one i have to replace. I's # 3 or 5, not sure which but thought one of you guys might know which to check first. Is it difficult to replace, more difficult than the top struts?

Please forgive my car ignorance, any suggestions will be highly appreciated!!!

Melissa

[lynns]

Originally Posted by stlouis

I have a '91 500sl and a month ago we replaced the two top struts (parts # 129 800 16 72), noticed this afternoon we now have a leak dripping from right behind the left rear tire. I'm not very good with cars and saw the above diagram, am wondering which part is likely to be leaking... There seems to be many hydraulic pistons in the car and i'm kinda at a loss for which one i have to replace. I's # 3 or 5, not sure which but thought one of you guys might know which to check first. Is it difficult to replace, more difficult than the top struts?

Please forgive my car ignorance, any suggestions will be highly appreciated!!!

Melissa

There are a total of 12 each hydraulic cylinders(HC) that either move the top(10) or the rollbar(2). It turns out that you have replaced the two most common HC, and easiest to DIY. Because I have a 2000 SL I have yet to expierence your problem but there are more than several other Forum members who are fighting the same issue. If you decide to DIY you may want to read http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129...ml#post2348759. You may also want to take a look at http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129...ml#post2349844

I have tried to put all of the posts into one in order to make it easier to determine how you want to handle your problem. If you DIY you will probably need to pull all the rear paneling behind your seats and contact a fellow by the name of Dennis F. (his contact info is in the posts) who repairs these very costly cylinders at a very resonable price. If you were to purchase them new the MSRP would be $3500.00 less tax for parts alone. I can't even begin to imagine the total labor cost but I have read that the two fron latch cylinders that you replaced can cost $1200-$1500 at a Stealership.

[shnead@yahoo.com]

mine went out today )_;
but it is just a little puddle ontop the trunk of hydro fluid ?