Mercedes A209 CLK - Chapter 5 - How To Replace The Case Cover Lift Cylinders

[@peterthetrunk]

Klaus Witte did it again. He advised me which parts (two) to get, sent the parts in no time, I followed the instructions (here) and BINGO, it works PERFECT! Thank you!

[@TopHydraulics]

I’m glad it worked out for you - you certainly saved thousands compared to buying new parts, plus the videos helped you do the labor yourself. All it took on my end was looking up which cylinders you replaced before and BINGO, you now have all the cylinders in your car replaced!

[@slyfords]

I strongly suggest you unclip the top pins while the cover is open. Doing it from within the trunk might be doable if you had hands of steel - but trying to remove them while reaching up is calculated to leave you with not much more than bleeding hands. Do not pull the pins, just remove the clips - then raise the top and lower the case cover, raise the trunk, and start trying to remove the lower clip. You can’t see it - I recommend a small extension mirror so you can see it to get the screwdriver in the right place to remove that clip.

[@binjose1]

Hi Klaus- Could you also demontrate how to replace W209 CLK gas struts which prevents the partition issues. Mine (2009) wouldnt trigger the micro swith, I guess due to lack of preesure power. I cant tell you how much helpful your videos are..

[@TopHydraulics]

Thanks for asking. We ran out of time for filming the gas strut replacement when filming the hydraulic cylinder removal. The gas struts are Mercedes part number A209690059. The new ones simply snap into place after you have removed the old ones. To get the old ones off the car, you may need to stick a small flat screwdriver under the black circlip on the ball joints so that you can pull the bal joint off the ball, in case the ball joint has an external circlip. If there is not external circlip, then simply pull hard.

[@binjose1]

@@TopHydraulics Thank you so much. Will try this as soon as I get the replacement. Appreciate your quick response.

[@jetmech73]

I was opening and closing the top manually yesterday in order to troubleshoot a leak, however today the pressure relief valves on the case cover lift cylinders will pull out but will not turn left or right at all? Any suggestions would be very appropriated

[@TopHydraulics]

Thanks for asking. Very likely, you will just have to pull out the release knobs a bit further before they will let you turn them and stay in the extended position. These knobs are actually mechanical releases of a bottom latching mechanism in the tonneau cylinders. Once they have been pulled out (extended) far enough, they can be rotated to stay in the extended position. Out of thousands of these cylinders going through my hands, I have only seen a few where it was very difficult to pull the releases - either as a result of severe corrosion or of ill fated DIY repair attempts. In your case, since you were able to pull and turn the knobs yesterday, you should be able to do it today, as well.

[@jetmech73]

@@TopHydraulics they are very easy to pull out today, I've pulled them out to the maximum mechanical limit, and they still will not turn? One is in the released position, the left is not, I've located the leak on one of the lines for the forward latch cylinder, the top is stowed, but I'm unable to open the storage cover?

[@TopHydraulics]

@@jetmech73 You can still manually open the top if you disconnect the top of the tonneau cylinders from the tonneau cover. See kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpWalmicm6d-e7M

[@jetmech73]

@@TopHydraulics thank you so much for your help as soon as I get the line numbers for the ones that are leaking I'll go ahead and order those switch assembly off let's just put it back on as if being possibly send my actuators in for rebuilt thank you once again love your videos very informative straight to the point

[@parmjeetbrar7134]

Hi where i can get these metal lock 🙏 please

[@TopHydraulics]

Which parts are you referring to?

[@jimstadler2644]

The hose going into the left cylinder just above the round silver release knob is leaking. On the video you said the top needs no o ring but what about the bottom?

[@TopHydraulics]

Thanks for asking. Are you sure the leak is from the hydraulic line port? These cylinders tend to leak first from the bottom, but actually through the release mechanism under the knob. That will make it look as if the leak was coming from the hose.

[@jimstadler2644]

@@TopHydraulics that is probably exactly where it is happening just thought it was leaking downward from line. So I would imagine that means replacement of the cylinder? I have a 2008 CLK550 and think the part is A2098201810 mine has a black release knob not the silver one. Is there a different part number for the right side? I figure if I replace one I might as well do both. If I understand your company I could also ship the old parts to you to be rebuilt?

[@TopHydraulics]

@@jimstadler2644 Thanks for asking. Indeed, it is time to you your cylinder rebuilt or replaced and it would be wise to deal with left and right side at the same time. Some time around 2007, Mercedes changed the color of the release knob from silver to black. The cylinder's part number is the same and the cylinders with silver and black release knob are fully interchangeable. The part number A2098201810 that you found on the left side cylinder is actually the part number of the switch assembly that clips onto the cylinder. The switch assembly is reusable. The part number for your cylinder is A2098001272. It is the same on the left side and on the right side. You can send your cylinder(s) to Top Hydraulics first to be rebuilt and sent back to you, or you can use our core exchange option where we send parts from our inventory first and you send back your original ones to recover the deposit.

[@jimstadler2644]

@@TopHydraulics how much is a pair?

[@TopHydraulics]

@@jimstadler2644 We charge about 1/4 of Mercedes' new price. Pricing is on our website: www.tophydraulics.com/w209-clk/50-2539-case-cover-w209.html#/30-core_exchange-send_your_parts_to_top_hydraulics_first Once you have clicked on the link, the price will show for the cheaper option where you send us your parts first, then we rebuild them, then we ship them back. There is a surcharge plus a refundable deposit for these particular cylinders shipping from our inventory first. The price shown is per cylinder. Shipping within the US is currently $12.50 per cylinder or $15 per pair. We currently use FedEx 2-Day Service for shipping these parts.

[@Snkvs]

Thank you, for the video! But how can i understand, that my cylinder is broken? My roof, after releasing front locks (above my head), don't do anything else. I hear my pump working for 5-10 sec., and when i took out both cylinders, they're not moving, during working pump. Could it be lift cylinders, or i have to check pump?

[@TopHydraulics]

Thanks for asking. The front lock releases at the same time as the tonneau cover is supposed to move backward and open. Surely, you have checked the fluid level in the pump already, and it is okay. You could have an internal bypass in the front lock cylinder 2098001172, or the pump is not producing enough pressure any more, or you have the obsolete tonneau cover lift cylinders A209 800 10 72. The latter were used only during the first months of production on the 209-chassis CLKs, with the last six digits of the VIN lower than -009490. The obsolete 2098001072s do not have a release button on the bottom, but rely on internal friction instead to secure the tonneau cover. They eventually get too rough on the inside and cease, making it impossible for the pump to move them any more. Do your tonneau cylinders look like the ones in our video, or do they not have the release buttons on the bottom?

[@Snkvs]

@@TopHydraulics unfortunately, not. Because of that, it was impossible for me to open roof manually, until I didn't watch your video how to take this cylinders off :) I had the same problem before, and official dealer service center told me to change hydraulic pump. After changing it on working used pump, the problem started to appear sometimes again, after some years. Both times I heard pump working like often. Finally, when I opened roof manually, and tested all microswitches (they are OK), I understand that other part of roof seems to work well. And the only problem could be in that rear cylinders, or pump. I found 2 relays, and try to find new, and replace them. Maybe it helps, if problem is not in cylinders. Thank you!

[@Kwakcrazy]

Hi both, @tophydraulics I have the same issue my roof releases I hear the pump going but no action from the tonneau cover, I disconnected the hydraulic cylinders & greased everything about 3 months ago assuming that was the issue the roof worked okay for about a dozen times now nothing again. Is it these cylinders that control the tonneau cover that need replacing? I have a 2003 a209 with the other hydraulic cylinders and also can I replace them with this style cylinder?

[@Kwakcrazy]

@@TopHydraulics I have the same issue my roof releases I hear the pump going but no action from the tonneau cover, I disconnected the hydraulic cylinders & greased everything about 3 months ago assuming that was the issue the roof worked okay for about a dozen times now nothing again. Is it these cylinders that control the tonneau cover that need replacing? I have a 2003 a209 with the other hydraulic cylinders and also can I replace them with this style cylinder?

[@TopHydraulics]

@@Kwakcrazy Thanks for asking. Just to clarify, do you have the obsolete tonneau cylinder p/n 2098001072 in your '03 CLK? That would be the long black ones without the release button on the bottom, originally supplied on CLKs with the last six digits of the VIN lower than -009490. If so, then they are almost certainly the cause of your problem and they need to be replaced with the newer version 2098001272: www.tophydraulics.com/w209-clk/50-case-cover-w209.html

[@michaelscarlino4670]

Can these cylinders be sent to the UK….

[@TopHydraulics]

Yes, we ship to the UK on a daily basis. We use FedEx International Priority, which typically takes only 2-3 days to most locations in the UK.