Convertible Top Stopped working because of this...(R129)

Mercedes Benz Slow Top convertible function or intruptted/incomplete sequence can be caused by an internal leak or Bypass. watch this video to the end as it will help you to diagnose and fix it easily.
Description:
In this video, I will be discussing the internal bypass that occurs in the Mercedes Benz SL Class R129 top hydraulic system. This is a common problem that can cause the convertible roof not to function properly. In this example one of the piston seals was faulty. I will show you how to identify this problem and provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to fix it.
R129 Top Hydraulics Repair I have done:
1. Front Locks:
• Mercedes Top Hydraulic...
2. Main Lift Cylinders:
• SL R129 Top Hydraulics...
3. Extension Bow Cylinders:
• Bow Extension Cylinder...
4. Rear Locks + Tonneau Cover Lift Cylinders:
• R129 Top Hydraulics: T...
5. R129 Convertible Top Micro-Switches location and testing:
• Convertible Top Micros...
6. R129 Convertible top pump maintenance:
• Check your "Top Hydrau...
7. Weak Convertible Hydraulic Pump or an Internal Bypass?
• Weak Convertible Hydra...
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Tags:
- Mercedes Benz
- SL Class R129
- Convertible roof
- Top hydraulic system
- Internal bypass
- Roof malfunction
- DIY repair
- Step-by-step instructions
- Automotive repair
- Car maintenance.
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[@SamAbraham]

Your videos have been tremendously informative. I picked up a '97 SL500 a few months ago, the roof has never worked under my ownership. Need to properly diagnose it, as I have just been putting the top up and down completely manually for now. My rollbar won't even go up hydraulically... makes me think there might be a roof module issue. As mine is a late model I should be able to connect my MB scanner to the 38 pin and see if I am getting any codes.

[@BenzAddiction]

You are welcome, check my other videos on how to diagnose R129 roof might help you as I suffered for a year and made 10 videos that pretty much covers Everything.

[@BenzAddiction]

Hello Benz Addicted folks, I learnt this the hard way. Hopefully, this helps you to know everything beforehand, internal leak, internal Bypass and piston seal might be part of the problem when dealing with R129 Top Hydraulics and this tiny seal can cause all sorts of invisible issues. PS external leak is way easier to diagnose ... good luck.

[@oliverlindhorst6436]

the company you mentioned in the video offers a hole hydraulic-cylinder-kit in exchange to your old one. You get all twelve refurbished. can be an option. very informative video - thank you

[@BenzAddiction]

Thank you, mate, for more details... 👍

[@rioraton]

Thank You...good content for 129 owners. Although these cars are beautiful they are plagued with MANY problems and as they age is seems like one problem after another.

[@BenzAddiction]

Thanks mate, very correct 👍

[@user-kx3gc5kp8t]

Thank you for sharing ! Good to know for future reference . I live in Zimbabwe Africa , not many of these vehicles In this part of the world . All info on the R129 is important.

[@BenzAddiction]

Thanks mate :)

[@inigojimenez8039]

Buenas tardes desde España.Acabo de descubrir tu canal Benz Addiction y es muy interesante el seguirlo ,gracias por tu tiempo dedicado para que otros usuarios como es mi caso podamos arreglar nuestros vehículos ,gracias por el trabajo que realizas y un saludo .

[@BenzAddiction]

Thank you my friend :)

[@ronjovi]

Thanks for sharing! Fantastic information right here.

[@BenzAddiction]

Thanks for Watching :)

[@tking686]

Thank you very interesting video. Keep posting you do a great job of explaining the process in detail. Terry 2001 R129

[@BenzAddiction]

Thank you for the great comment, these comments make my day ;)

[@arakassabian5879]

Excellent video, well explained. Thank you.

[@BenzAddiction]

Thank you :)

[@kevinsheahan5449]

Excellent video, many thanks. A really well explained video.

[@BenzAddiction]

Thank you Kevin for watching:)

[@patrick89109]

Excellent video!! Thank you👋👋👌👌

[@BenzAddiction]

Thanks Patrick 😊

[@adek330Ci]

good job 👍👍

[@BenzAddiction]

Thanks mate :)

[@AMcompton101]

Omg I’ve been having the same issues. Went back and took out my bow… my god.. it was the same exact thing. What is the part #? Thank you for figuring this out!!! I was about to spend so much more having a place diagnose

[@BenzAddiction]

Glad the video helped, not sure about PN, search the company name and you ll go straight to the part... 😀

[@user-fq9dl5jk1v]

Hi Max, I have been following you on KZbin and you have a great channel, keep posting I really enjoy you content. I wanted to ask you where you got your cylinder seals and o rings from for you R129 ? Me and my son have a 500sl and the soft top cylinders are starting to leak so I was thinking of replacing the seals like you have done. Cheers Mark

[@BenzAddiction]

Hi Mark, thank you for the positive feedback here is the ebay link I bought the Seals from: www.ebay.com.au/itm/281989635356?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-154756-20017-0&ssspo=uRA3VpPiQRK&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=VftSBydbT7C&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@user-fq9dl5jk1v]

Hi Max , that’s great I went ahead and purchased a kit . Cheers Mark

[@BenzAddiction]

@user-fq9dl5jk1v Good luck Mark, let me know in the comment section any issue in the process and please check the whole R129 Convertible top playlist.

[@walterhaenel8364]

I don't want to be critical - but since you pulled out the piston rod you did not also replace the shaft cup seal. This seal is the offender when the cylinder has external leaks. AND EXTERNAL LEAKS ARE MUCH MORE COMMON. So, you may have to pull the piston rod out again in 6 months ? Who knows ? RCS also supply this seal. Also, at the end of the video you are holding a cylinder which does not belong to the R129, more likely to the R230.

[@BenzAddiction]

Yes you are right, I did not replace the shaft seal because I did so a week earlier, that was when the piston seal broke upon installation.

[@belisioglipet4655]

My 1992 top only pulls in rear and front locks and doesn't do anything else. Don't know where to start...

[@BenzAddiction]

Start here, watch the whole playlist for R129 Top Hydraulics then: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYSrqGiDeqmVg6s

[@charlesprosser9689]

Hi. Thanks for taking the time and effort to post this and other videos concerning the R129 soft top cylinders. The hydraulic pump system in these cars is high pressure but very low flow volume so any internal piston leak will cause the pump not to be able to keep up and cause weak or slow operation like you had. I have a few questions: I watched your other recent video where you rebuilt the right side bow extension cylinder. Is this the same cylinder? Did you not replace all the seals in the cylinder after you removed and disassembled it? In this video why did you attempt to seperate the piston from the rod? I don't understand how that would have helped get the teflon ring over the piston land? Finally, near the end of the clip at the 11:10 what cylinder is that you are holding? The bow extension cylinder (or any of the other cylinders in a R129 top mechanism) look nothing like this. Again thanks for the well made video as it will definitely help me with my car.

[@BenzAddiction]

Hi Charles, I rebuilt all the cylinders, but the rebuilt kit does not include piston seals. I attempted to separate the piston from rod as I thought the piston might be in 2 separate pieces so I can easily install the new seals. Finally the cylinder shown in the video as example was for my top lock from my CLK A209. Cheers.

[@charlesprosser9689]

@@BenzAddiction thanks for the explanation.

[@BenzAddiction]

@@charlesprosser9689 👍

[@jyjjackfast]

on a left hand drive car would that piston be on the opposite side of yours

[@BenzAddiction]

Not sure, sorry.

[@jyjjackfast]

@@BenzAddiction thanks anyways your videos have been my go to to getting this top to work. I have resealed one of the main cylinder, the only one that was leaking. now I get nothing except for a humming sound when I hit the top button. this is not easy.

[@njoeandjen]

Just my bow door is hard to open when sits a couple days once i lift it a little it cycles over and over just fine ??

[@BenzAddiction]

This one has a regular gas strut as well, check that first to be good. Then move to the Hydraulic system otherwise.