I'm not certain there is a parallel between transmission seals and convertible top seals, but if there is common ground it would be very interesting to know the details.
I'm sorry but I wasn't suggesting a change in the tranny oil for the benefit of only it's seals but for the benefit of the whole transmission, gears, etc.
I was trying to draw a parallel between the two because I have been told that M-B says that the 722.6 tranny is 'filled for life' and I also heard that M-B says that the hydraulic system is 'filled for life'.
I'm sorry but I wasn't suggesting a change in the tranny oil for the benefit of only it's seals but for the benefit of the whole transmission, gears, etc.
I was trying to draw a parallel between the two because I have been told that M-B says that the 722.6 tranny is 'filled for life' and I also heard that M-B says that the hydraulic system is 'filled for life'.
"filled for life" is an interesting term. In the work I'm paid to do I create concepts for new products, launch them into the global market and then manage their lifecycle.
Product "life" has a specific meaning to manufacturers from a service and support standpoint, but not from a product usability standpoint. I've spent countless hours in meetings discussing Mean Time Before Failure (MTBF) with Engineers and Service groups on products we build.
As consumers, we define product life in human terms based on useability alone. In other words, until the product fails whether it was within a guaranteed time or not.
Lifetime warranties or product life in general is not measured in human terms. They are measured in product lifecycle terms and the product lifecycle is up to the manufacturer to decide.
In any case, I would like to understand if refreshing the soft top fluid has any bearing on increasing the "life" of the composite seals. They apparently have an average 5 to 10 year MTBF depending on environmental conditions. Is the fluid an environmental determinate?
Last edited by Bagger Lance : 06-26-2007 at 12:10 AM.
In any case, I would like to understand if refreshing the soft top fluid has any bearing on increasing the "life" of the composite seals. They apparently have an average 5 to 10 year MTBF depending on environmental conditions. Is the fluid an environmental determinate?
Quite a bit of discussion has taken place around your question. I for one believe that renewing the HF could increase the life of the seals. I don't believe I would call the fluid an 'environmental' factor but I would consider temperature and pressure, etc. acting on the seals and fluid to be be environmental.
Here are some posts with regard to 'filled for life'.
Photos Explanation:
1. The cracked seal, in this damaged manner, I don't thick the "NO LEAK" fluid can work.
2. The tools and new seal with o-ring. The cylindrical tube section is used to "creat" a space between fix spring ring and the cap, without it, very difficult to take rid off the spring ring that hold the cap in position.
The spanner is #5 for this type cylinder #129 800 21 72; for 129 800 16 72 (windshifd)you need #7
3. Take off the cylinder from the assembly.
4. Use some cylindrical tube section and hammer the cap down, to gain space for - driver to work out the spring ring.
5. Take off the holding ring.
6. cylinder parts arrangement
7. New/old seal and o-ring. The food film wrapping the thread is to prevent the damage of seal while installing.
8. detail as above. You may use some suitable dimension straw also.
9. New seal and oring replaced OK. Assemble it would be easier than disassmble, the only step need to take an effort on, is put the spring ring back.
10. Use "LOCTILE" to fixen the thread.
11. The creaked seals
12. The New seals. These 4 “special” dimension seals are all what we want in R129.
13. For open #129 800 17 72 (left),& #129 800 02 72 (right), you need to make a tool like this.
Hope this stuff be somewhat helpful to you.
12. The New seals. These 4 “special” dimension seals are all what we want in R129.
Thanks for the post morriswu! :-)
Did I understand correct, that these (4 "special" dimension seals) are the ONLY parts which need to be changed to repair the leaks?
Hi ErikFinn,
In normal operation, that is the only seals and o-rings necessary. I have fixed all my 10 cylinders by myself.
Later, I will post the seals' and orings' dimension and you can search them. There must be somewhere in the world a vender can provide, but I really don't know where it is.
I had a friend make the molding dies and manufacture those seals.
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