Shattered, look at my post titled "Oops...a puddle of fluid" for Dennis Ficken's address. Link is below.
He charges $30. per cylinder plus $10 return shipping, and does not cash your check until he hears that all is well. His turn-around time is quick, and you get them back with new seals in only a couple of days.
You must R&R these cylinders in pairs. The hardest ones to get to are the main lift cylinders, (4) and these are the ones I had done.
You have to find a shop and space that is willing to work with you. My shop did, but it was a one-time deal.
Shattered, look at my post titled "Oops...a puddle of fluid" for Dennis Ficken's address. Link is below.
He charges $30. per cylinder plus $10 return shipping, and does not cash your check until he hears that all is well. His turn-around time is quick, and you get them back with new seals in only a couple of days.
You must R&R these cylinders in pairs. The hardest ones to get to are the main lift cylinders, (4) and these are the ones I had done.
You have to find a shop and space that is willing to work with you. My shop did, but it was a one-time deal.
Thank you greatly for the info!!! That is such an awesome deal and with an abundance of referrals here in this forum! Who could go wrong? That is great!!! I've priced those cylinders and my heart sank lol...cuz of course, when things go wrong they have a tendency to all happen at once and at the wrong time But it all works out in the end
Thank you, again Now... to figure out how to remove them ...Gotta tell myself, "One thing at a time, Lorena --- got to get the kat taken care of first."
I just repaired a leaky cylinder on my E320. The cylinder was one of the "hard ones" to get to. Because I had to take the top out of the car and didn't want to do this job twice, I had all four rebuilt by Dennis. As I put everything back together, I went to test the top.... and one of the compartment cylinders blew a seal!! So I sent all remaining cylinders to Dennis for rebuild.
All eight cylinders are now rebuilt for my top.
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Well... knowing that I replaced the front on both sides, just over a year ago... and now having to do the back... I'm learning from this, that it is definitely best just to get them all done at once... kinda like when you put new light bulbs in your house all on the same day... when one blows... they ALL start going out LOL, then....when your out there Stylin in your KEWL car, your stuck with your top in mid air not wanting to do anything
Sooooooo If anyone has instructions for any of us here who still needs to remove them to send them to Dennis and how to install them after we get them back from him.... please, let us know.
Thank You BUNCHES for Your Time and Patiences with This Lil DIY'er,
Lorena
Apollo Beach, FL
1992 500SL
Last edited by BnShattered : 01-09-2007 at 09:52 AM.
Sorry to hear that you are having problems with your top. If you send me an e-mail, I will send you the removal instructions from the service manual. You would be wise to have any of the original cylinders rebuilt. Experience has shown that once the cylinders in the rear of the car start leaking, the rest will fail in a very short time. They fail due to age, not mileage or amount of use. The windshield latch cylinders seem to fail a couple of years before the rest presumably due to heat buildup in the small enclosed area they are in.
If you would like your cylinders repaired, I charge $30 each for any of the cylinders in the R129 and the W124 chassis as well. Return shipping is a flatrate of $10. The only cylinder I won't touch is the roll bar due to the liability. I warranty the seals I replace for 3 years. I usually have the cylinders back in the mail the day after I receive them.
When the front cylinders go what is the first indication?
Is there fluid all over the dash area?
If so, can it get ino the dash speakers?
What will I see/feel etc.?
Is there anyway to temporarily stop the flow of oil?
Vehicle: 1987 560SL Gone but not forgotten! & 1999 SL500 For Now
Location: Bradenton, FL
Posts: 580
Quote:
Originally Posted by lynns
Hey Dennis,
When the front cylinders go what is the first indication?
Is there fluid all over the dash area?
If so, can it get ino the dash speakers?
What will I see/feel etc.?
Is there anyway to temporarily stop the flow of oil?
Please detail to the best of your understanding.
Lynn,
When my front cylinders went, the leaks were slow, dripping down the visor stalk and onto the winshield pillar. Thankfully from this forum I knew what it was and got them out before they blew out completely. I don't think you can damage dash speakers if you get the cylinders out as soon as you first notice the leak(s).
Like bob said it's a slow drip. Believe me I know you will notice the fluid building up to drip on your seat. Be looking for fluid on seats when you get in, thats what it will drip on. After I had the soft top worked on driving home from the trim shop is when I noticed mine. I went about a month before I replaced them.
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Chris,
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But it all works out in the end 
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