Member dennis300sl has posted on several threads at ***************** that he has successfully repaired leaking hydraulic cylinders and will do so for others for just $30/cylinder. This may be a good alternative to costly new cylinders. Here is his contact info:
Hi Bob ! I am a new member to this site and have read a number of your posts .
Its good to have an experianced R129 guy giving usefull information .Thanks
Vehicle: 1987 560SL Gone but not forgotten! & 1999 SL500 For Now
Location: Bradenton, FL
Posts: 578
Quote:
Originally Posted by ErikFinn
Surely it can't be nothing more than replacing a few o-rings...?
Anyone has opened their old cylinders and would care to shed some light..?
Sure would be nice to know before they start to leak... Which will happen sooner or later in any case...
Erik,
First, I personally did not open mine when they failed. After searching around...a lot, I found an old post of Dennis Ficken's on another Forum, the only rebuilder in the States that I'm aware of. Dennis rebuilt my front latch pair, and sent me the old piston seals so I could see the break/tear at the point where they most commonly fail.
Unlike the majority of hydraulic cylinders in the world, MB decided to use seals as opposed to o-rings. The cylinder itself has a urethane seal that is pretty indestructible; it's the 'custom' sized piston seal that goes. It's made of what appears to me to be a placticized material in an inverted U-shape to conform to the piston head inside the cylinder. Either from a quality of material, friction, heat or sun spots (just kidding) this 'weakest link' fails. The inside edge of the U was cracked/torn on both cylinders which allows the breach of hydraulic fluid into places it shouldn't be. Further, after opening the cylinder, Dennis has to re-machine the top end, where the screws go so that it can accept a new metal ring closure.
Let's cut to the chase, Dennis' rebuilds in my car after 30+ days of use where my top is up and down at least once a day here in Florida have been flawless. For what he charges, $30 US @, plus shipping, this is the deal of the decade.
As far as early warning signs, I don't think there are any other than the leaks we're all familiar with. But frankly, with the kind of quality that Dennis provides at the prices he chooses, let 'em leak as the rebuilt ones I'll replace them with I'm convinced will be better than new.
Vehicle: r129 300 sl 24v year of manufacture 1992 auto
Location: spain
Posts: 17
re seal repairs
hi guys
i effected a temp repair on mine 12 mths ago!! i am going to be doing a more premanent job soon i will post detailed pics and parts needed soon . o rings needed can be easliy sourced as can top dust seal /shaft oil seal . parts should be no more than a few pennies . whole job both sides should be no more than 2 hrs start to finish ,with reasonable diy experience . I have been working on car and commercial for last 30 yrs , so i speak woth some experience
hi guys
i effected a temp repair on mine 12 mths ago!! i am going to be doing a more premanent job soon i will post detailed pics and parts needed soon . o rings needed can be easliy sourced as can top dust seal /shaft oil seal . parts should be no more than a few pennies . whole job both sides should be no more than 2 hrs start to finish ,with reasonable diy experience . I have been working on car and commercial for last 30 yrs , so i speak woth some experience
I like muso58. Have been repairing my cylinders for pennies.
I do appreciate that we have Mr.Filken to help us.
But here in California we use the soft top a lot.
I like to have my work done as soon as passable, and not to have the system open.
That's how I started repairing my cylinders.
As I have said before in my threads I have used seals from a pump that I cut with razor blade to make them fit, and for almost a year now they work, with out any problem.
But I will still like to know muso results.
God I Love this Forum.
Kip the Ideas flowing.
Together we conquer.
Regards,
aam.
hi guys
i effected a temp repair on mine 12 mths ago!! i am going to be doing a more premanent job soon i will post detailed pics and parts needed soon . o rings needed can be easliy sourced as can top dust seal /shaft oil seal . parts should be no more than a few pennies . whole job both sides should be no more than 2 hrs start to finish ,with reasonable diy experience . I have been working on car and commercial for last 30 yrs , so i speak woth some experience
I am sure there will be a lot of interest in your repair, don`t forget to post your results with the source of the seals
I'm in the process of replacing the O-ring of five cylinders (mine and some other friends from Saudi),
The whole process will not take more than 15mins for each cylinder, I have discover a workshop in Dubai will make the O-rings in front of me, and will charge me almost nothing comparing to the job quality. However I have rebuild my rear cylinders last year and it works perfect, plus the front one (month agoand for Ahmed Ali from Saudi) and it works as new. So good-bye for replacing the cylinders or paying a fortune to repair it.
I will post the whole process step by step next week and will ask the workshop to make extra plastics ring for me for the future.
Hey Guys... my first post... this forum is fantastic, great work to all of you for sharing all your experiences.
Ive just had my left windshield cylinder go and plan on repairing both of them when I can, Im also very keen to see the photos of this repair as new cylinders are gonna cost me $240 AUD each!!!
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