Mercedes A209 CLK - Chapter 3 - How To Replace The Main Lift Cylinders

Klaus takes you step by step through the process of removing the Main Lift cylinders and replacing them with rebuilt and upgraded cylinders from Top Hydraulics, Inc.
Mercedes P/N:
LH (Driver Side) 2098000772
RH (Passenger Side) 2098000872

[@kariboerger8342]

A Note for those performing this job - as usual Klaus does a great job explaining the steps here, but there is one critical omission. To remove the main rear trim panel to expose the air bag, there are two screws that must be removed that Klaus does not mention. They are T-20 screws accessible by removing the wind screen mounting trim piece (small oval shaped plastic) - once the trim piece is removed you can access the 2 - T-20 screws. If you go to 9:16 in the video you will see the two screw clips just below the "TH" logo on Klaus' shirt. If you don't remove these screws you will break that part of the trim panel mounting bracket.

[@TopHydraulics]

Thanks for pointing that out! It looks like the two T-20 screws had already been taken out previously in the car we made the video on...

[@bradlyford3834]

Yep, that will teach me to read the comments.

[@thenotoriousamg3952]

Another Video with different views: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3itZnuul5ukh9k

[@shark70007000]

Now I know how to get that back seat up off of there. I needed to know that when I had to replace something. I forget what it was now. It was over a year ago.

[@martinbyrne52]

Hi the small o ring seals in the cylinders are they available in an aftermarket shop or only from Mercedes agents

[@jokera7763]

I got quoted £1800 for the replacement of these hydraulic rams. Looking at your video and having worked extensively on my C140, this video has helped put my mind at ease for sure. Do you have to bleed the pump once done? Thanks!

[@TopHydraulics]

The system is self bleeding as long as there is enough fluid in the pump.

[@thenotoriousamg3952]

Of note: the new rebuilt top hydraulics Right main lift cylinder will come with a third hole just below the bottom fluid line. the OEM cylinder does not have this.

[@TopHydraulics]

The third hole on the bottom is part of the remanufacturing process: we reinforce the bottom of the cylinder to make it a lot sturdier than it was before, as the original cylinders from Mercedes don't have enough margin for pressure spikes in the system and they are known to crack on the bottom. We fix that problem and the side effect is a smaller hole below the bottom hydraulic line port.

[@thenotoriousamg3952]

Thanks so much for the explanation, as I was a little confused. Just installed the new rebuilt Top Hydraulics Right Main Lift Cylinder and it is operating as it should..."Better than OEM".

[@PapaU81]

You missed showing the removal of the two hex screws on each side of that push button on the side panels. But without your video, it would of been a lot harder, Thank you

[@ghdocco]

Hi, my main lift cylinder is leaking at the 2 small holes where the cords attached. Please help with how to fix it. Can I replace the rubber rings? What is the size of the rubber ring?

[@TopHydraulics]

Take a really close look and you will almost surely find that the cylinder is actually leaking through the hole that the bottom mounting pin goes through. The fluid drip from the bottom of the cylinder and the top of the cylinder is dry, which makes it appear as if the leak was from the hydraulic line ports where the hoses go in.

[@thefastlane4396]

Klaus you're amazing thank you for this series!

[@raulrodriguez558]

What are the correct part numbers for a 2004 CLK500 convertible? The roof lift cylinders need to be replaced. It looks like a very time consuming job.

[@TopHydraulics]

Thanks for asking. Those are part number 2098000872 for the right side and 2098000772 for the left side. They are the most time consuming to remove and replace, but the video should help you out a lot. Here is the CLK section of our website, where you can order them directly: www.tophydraulics.com/24-w209-clk

[@markholland1578]

Is this chassis similar to my A207 chassis insofar as replacing the main cylinders? I have scrolled through your impressive collection of videos and have not found one on the E550 Cabriolet....mine is 2012. Thanks Klaus

[@TopHydraulics]

Hello Mark, The A207 E-Class uses the A209 CLK main lift cylinders and the mounting is just about the same, but trim removal is slightly different. I haven't worked on an A207 myself yet, would love to have one over here to make a video. I have heard that it is possible to get at the bottom of the main lifts in an A207 without removing as much trim as in an A209, but don't know any more details at this point.

[@MrChosen3000]

Hello...my 2005 CLK320 leaks Hydraulic fluid a lot until resoivoir instantly goes empty. The fluid appears in front of the Drivers side rear tire. Which cylinder needs fixing? Thank you.

[@TopHydraulics]

Sounds like you have a massive leak. If fluid appears in front of the driver side rear tire, then the most serious leak is likely from the left main lift cylinder A2098000772, see www.tophydraulics.com/24-w209-clk If your leak is this severe, then it is likely that at the very least the matching cylinder on the passenger side is leaking already, as well. The best move would be dealing with all seven cylinders at the same time, as they must all be close to failing at this point.

[@malakwinnson428]

Hey i was on your website i need the main lift cylinder on the driver side.. which one should i purchase? Its a Mercedes Clk 2004?

[@TopHydraulics]

If you are in the US, then the driver side is the left side, which makes the cylinder p/n 2098000772: www.tophydraulics.com/w209-clk/52-3311-left-main-w209.html#/29-core_exchange-core_exchange_order_from_our_inventory

[@78special]

Thanks for the video, if I pull out the cylinders, can the roof be closed and the car driven while the cylinders are sent to you for rebuilding?

[@TopHydraulics]

Yes, you can close the roof manually and use the car. Keep in mind that you would have to reinstall the seatbelt tensioners.

[@78special]

Thanks@@TopHydraulics, one more question. If I take off the rear door panel, will I be able to see which cylinder is leaking through there ? I can't see any leaks from the top.

[@DavidMDipDesign]

Klaus, your help is really precious !!! The pump oil tank of my convertible emptied quickly even though I never opened or closed my convertible top. I was unable to find the oil leak. After the water entered my car, where the left rear passenger rests their feet (behind the driver), I discovered the yellow oil that was on the carpet. Where will the oil leak be? The main lifting cylinder Left? Thanks for your help.

[@TopHydraulics]

Hello David, thanks for asking. Indeed, that would be the bottom seal in your left main lift cylinder leaking and as the lowest spot in the hydraulic system allowing gravity to empty the pump's reservoir into the cavity below the main lift cylinder, which ultimately ended up on your carpet. Where are you loacted?

[@jamesseeger8431]

I really appreciate the video directions on this. After walking outside the other day to drive the car, I noticed a large puddle of hydraulic fluid in front of the right rear tire. I knew immediately what it was from, just not which cylinder precisely. Had a little trouble getting the top loose but was finally able to remove the retainer clip and remove the part.

[@michaelmartin7765]

Hi James, I just had the same experience....what model do you own and what part did you replace?

[@shanegee8651]

Just ordered the full set of parts and did this job over the weekend. It took about 18 hours from start to finish, so he is not exaggerating about it being a full weekend job. If you do not have that tiny flathead screwdriver that he has don't bother trying until you get one. Those pins are seriously difficult to remove. Also, a very very tiny screwdriver that you would use to tighten sunglasses worked perfectly for unseating the silver clips holding the hydraulic lines. I managed to get it done, but if you have any advice on a certain tool to unseat the main lift cylinder from that small gap after removing the airbag it would greatly help anyone else. Removing that single clip took about an hour for each side. My advice would be to fix the problem cylinder first > refill the hydraulic fluid > Keep the metal panel flipped up > Undo the pressure release screw to manually adjust the top from there (Turn the power to the car off as well to let it move freely) Also, as the other user mentioned, there are two screws behind the windscreen holder plastic piece. Pop it out and unscrew them to make your life a lot easier.

[@TopHydraulics]

Thanks for the helpful remarks. I can see how one can spend two full days on this start to finish. I am not a trained auto mechanic but I have some excellent helpers and employees. When I first did the replacement of all seven cylinders in an A209 CLK some eight years ago, I was racing the clock with a friend (who is an excellent mechanic) for fun and because it was already 3 p.m. by the time we started, each of us doing one side of the car. He is a bit faster than I. We had no instructions whatsoever, but plenty of good tools. Including trim removal, we had the cylinders replaced in exactly one hour (actually a few seconds less), then took some photos, added fluid and replaced the trim. That would add up to about three man-hours. This is not a fair comparison, of course, because you had two professionals going as fast as they could.

[@shanegee8651]

@@TopHydraulics As someone who is sort of handy this sounded like it would have been the experience, but in practice it was much more tedious. Not to dissuade anyone from the imense $$$ savings of doing the job yourself, but just know that you are going to be wondering if it was worth it about the time you disconnect the battery and set the airbag down on the back of the rear seat back. LOL

[@tomboerger2016]

Hey Klaus - getting ready to do this job - do you have to open the top manually to get to the top part of the cylinders or can you use the automatic function ? To be more specific, to access the upper retaining clip on the cylinder, at the beginning of the video - is that through the trunk, or from the top with the tonneau cover up ?

[@TopHydraulics]

If your top still works, that is very helpful. As far as I recall, the top pin's retaining clip is not accessible from the trunk.

[@jaynichols2480]

You can actually reach the top retaining clips from inside the trunk. I’ve done it

[@chrispapa1587]

How many hours would it take for someone to pull out all the interior, remove two main cylinders, replace them and refit interior? Great tutorial 👍🏼

[@TopHydraulics]

The main lifts should take a little more than half the time it takes to replace all seven cylinders. Shops typically bill five hours for replacing two main lifts. Here is the answer I posted when you asked how much time it would take to replace all seven cylinders including interior: “Thanks for asking, great question. The first time I worked on a CLK, my friend and I had the replacement parts in hand and we were racing the clock, each of us doing one side. We did not have any instructions and never worked on a CLK before. It took us less than 1h15m, meaning 2-1/2 man hours to remove and replace all seven cylinders. However, that is an unfair comparison because we were pumped and well equipped. Most shops bill about eight hours.”

[@chrispapa1587]

@@TopHydraulics thanks heaps, yeh I got billed 8 hours for the two main cylinders to be removed and replaced

[@jaynichols2480]

Hey klaus i was wondering what can be the cause of fluid leakage in the front on both sides of my convertible top Clk 320 2004. Thanks

[@TopHydraulics]

That would most likely be the front lock cylinder: www.tophydraulics.com/w209-clk/48-222-frontlock-w209.html#/30-core_exchange-send_your_parts_to_top_hydraulics_first Here is our video on front lock cylinder replacement: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZW2kq2QeryUo7s

[@jaynichols2480]

Do you guys carry the part?

[@jaynichols2480]

I see it on your site thanks

[@jaynichols2480]

Ome more question can replace main cylinder without having to remove my back seats?

[@TopHydraulics]

Cannot.

[@jaynichols2480]

Thanks

[@jaynichols2480]

Hey does the roof have to be down before replacing the main cylinder?

[@TopHydraulics]

You can remove the main lift cylinders with the top up.

[@jaynichols2480]

Im having trouble removing the back cushions

[@jaynichols2480]

Just figured it out. Didnt pull hard enough

[@DeyaaSh-qm5md]

Can it be opened and repaired from the inside?

[@TopHydraulics]

I'm not certain if I understand your question correctly. In case you are wondering whether the cylinders can be opened up while they are still inside the car, that is impossible.

[@DeyaaSh-qm5md]

thanks for your reply No, that was not my question my question is Can I repair this cylinder Less costs I don't want to change it

[@Kevin-q4q1y]

System have to be pressureless??

[@TopHydraulics]

The system is not normally pressurized, unless it is moving.

[@Kevin-q4q1y]

@@TopHydraulics roof musst be closed?