Mercedes R230 front roof cylinder repair

Repairing the O-Ring on the front hydraulic cylinder for the convertible roof on a 2003 Mercedes Benz SL500 (R230).
Repair kit used: www.amazon.com...

[@lawrencepellegrini2687]

In my quest to bring "my 2003 SL500" back to it's original glory, I have repaired many issues and am watching your awesomely crafted video with expectations that this too, will eventually be an issue as well. I went through rebuilding the 8 or so actuators on my 1995 SL320 already and I'm very familiar with the Benz boggles. Your video is one the best I've watched to date, thanks very much !

[@tystarks8855]

Bro, I really appreciate it. I thought I was going to have to take my car to the dealer I typed in r 230 roof caliber. And your video popped up. I’m definitely doing it myself exactly how you did it. I really appreciate it and I will be checking your page for any more updates.

[@pile-o-projects]

Make sure you get the kit and follow the instructions. All in, if I wasn't filming, probably took an hour.

[@BigF-1982]

Excuse me, I only need the ring. Can you share with me a link to the Mercedes SL500 2004

[@timothyteo1155]

did u manage to fix it urself n how difficult was it?

[@10marlie]

I sent mine out to top hydraulics. I pulled my hydraulic line out with the unit. They rebuild them for a reasonable price and send it back with the hydraulic hose mounted with a detachable fitting. They are a great company with some great prices and rebuilt components.

[@robertchauncey6407]

what company did the rebuild, please advise

[@rcbrooks1123]

@@robertchauncey6407 Top Hydraulics is the name of the company.

[@chuckhandyjr.1585]

This video missed the #1 most difficult part of the process! Taking the Hydraulic cylinder apart! He skips all that and all of a sudden there it is apart! Haha doesn’t work that way. We spent a couple of hours trying to take it apart, no luck! We did find another video which required some drilling which we also realized wasn’t possible. GOOD GRIEF! 1 ⭐️ review

[@chuckhandyjr.1585]

Also had the same kit! Waste of time!

[@SELondonUSA]

The much vaunted German attention to detail and reliable engineering. Not really a serviceable unit if you have to drill an effin hole in the cylinder to get at the C-clip. Load of old Teutonic bollocks!

[@chuckhandyjr.1585]

Don’t think anyone is paying attention to any of these comments. 😢

[@theactoroflove1221]

That’s what I want to know how do you take off c clamp

[@SELondonUSA]

​@@theactoroflove1221It's like riding a motorcycle: one hand for the clutch lever; one hand for the throttle and front brake; one foot for the gear shift; one foot for the rear brake. If you have any more appendages, you will be in much better shape to do the job. And the experience gained will be of great value when the remaining seven (or more) cylinders fail. Good luck.

[@StillAProudAmerican-ll2yc]

I just did this. I have the exact car. Drilling the hole is easy since aluminum is soft metal. Go slow and low enough for your drill to actually nick the white disc. Then I got midsized Channelocks and a Torx short bit that just fits in my new hole I just drilled. I drilled the hole close to the gap in the clip but NOT in the gap. It takes patients and a lot of coordination to slowly squeeze the bit in. It should just push the edge of the C-clip out to get a small screwdriver under it. In my case, and this is why I said to drill as low as you can just touching the white disc with your bit. When I pressed the bit into the hole it pushed the clip out and popped UNDER the clip, then the clip just lifted out. The ram with the o-rings with some authority will come out. Get a bright light and carefully check the bore for any damage like nicks or pitting etc. I think I'm going to leave the headliner off for a few days to make sure there are no more leaks.

[@xelent1]

Nice video and well detailed. I’ve watched other videos where they drill the cylinder..your way was better. Do you find this method better?

[@edwardgriffin5746]

What we need to see is how to remove that clip and how to fill the hydraulic motor. Those things you are not showing in your video

[@Rusty6450]

my R230 roof just failed, dripping fluid on one side. I took it to the 'stealership' and they quoted me $15k to repair. Replace all the hoses, cylinders and pumps. Interesting to know it may just be a simple O-ring.

[@emiliobaradith4335]

Great video, thank you so much!!l... just one question, were you able to fix the window liner wave? (at the begining of your video)

[@pile-o-projects]

Unfortunately no, not yet.

[@taxguru2877]

you dont have to take the nut off people. you can also unscrew the other end that he did not so you dont have to stretchthe seal. These are virtuaklly the same as any hydraulic cylinder including heavy equipment. PAY ATTENTION ALL YOU HATERS

[@BigF-1982]

Mashaa Allah 👍🏼 God bless you

[@joselynleonhart]

Your videos are great! I have the exact car. I had the master cylinder replaced, (but I am leaking fluid somewhere, but its not making it to the garage floor) I have to add fluid to the pump, When I watched your video were you bleeding the lines with the syringe? I think that I may have air in mine but thought maybe I could bleed the air out? Is that possible with so many lines?

[@cbrooen]

You have to drill a 3mm hole where the locking c ring is and flip it out. Thats missing in this video but its very easy to do

[@chuckhandyjr.1585]

THANK YOU!

[@Glenn-z8k]

Part number for rubber O ring ?

[@jamesg2609]

What parts do i need to order ? Have the same issue with leaking hydraulic fluid on both sides..

[@michaelneumann2221]

como purgas el aire del sistema o como liberas el aire del sistema hidrahulico del techo?

[@chuckhandyjr.1585]

Ok so….we somehow were able to remove the hydraulic cylinder which locks the top. We also somehow were able to remove the C clip inside. After that we somehow were able to remove the plunger from the cylinder don’t ask but we got it done. Well we have everything back together and we can’t get the top to work. Can you help us figure this out thanks Chuck & Chris.

[@lincolnvlogs8965]

THERE R SOME VERY GOOD VIDS BY "MR MARCO" ON UTUBE ABT THE WORKINGS OF THE ROOF AND HE HAS ALSO RESPONDED TO MY QUESTIONS. I HV REPLACED PISTONS WITH USED ONES AS WELL RATHER THAN RECONSTRUCTION(TOO MUCH WORK...TOO LITTLE TIME). THEN THERE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE A DIIAGRAM OF THE FULL OPERATION OF THE ROOF, STEP BY STEP INCLUDING PISTON AND MICROSWITCHES. IT IS EASIEST TO START WITH EACH ERROR IN THE PROCESS. MINE WORKS, BUT I AM LOSING LOTS OF FLUID...SOMEWHERE. U WOULD THINK WITH ALL THAT FLUID MISSING ONE COULD FIND IT.

[@chuckhandyjr.1585]

@@user-px8ny5tb6j we drilled into the top and we’re able to pry the washer seal out. It was a wrestling match but we finally won

[@mikimiki195]

Nice work 👍🏻

[@ramadorful]

Hi do you no where I can purchase the weather strip on the side upper top ? Thanks in advance!

[@bigdog7813]

I think the part number for the weatherstrip (seal) for the top right-hand side is 230-790-06-98. I'm a big fan of FCP Euro for my parts, but there are several other sources.

[@ramadorful]

@@bigdog7813 Thank you !!

[@chuckhandyjr.1585]

Also “let’s go check the roof” well how did you get the roof into a closed position? We cannot! Sure everyone else is asking the same question. Thanks!

[@alexandros1301]

Can you do a review and show of your exhaust setup. I like the sound of your car and mine seems more quiet.

[@Naturebycarter]

Did you have to drill ?

[@chuckhandyjr.1585]

Yes we did and after a full blown wrestling match with the C ring come out. Yes had to drill and it worked. Getting the plunger out of the cylinder was another task.

[@FloridaCams]

My 08 Pump failed due to time, it was weak. Also the operation should pretty much be silent.

[@sluggosloan]

did you have to drill the side of the cylinder to get the c clip out?

[@pile-o-projects]

The instructions in the kit say to do so.

[@sluggosloan]

@@pile-o-projects there's nothing in the video. Did you have to drill or is there another way?

[@videosourceonebusinessacco5438]

@@pile-o-projects pretty direct question...did you drill it or not?

[@theactoroflove1221]

You did not show how to take the C ring off

[@geoffreykolberg]

Mercedes Roof Hydraulic Latch

[@FAF832]

Thank you for making this video. Your video and this video greatly helped me, a rookie, do this job. kzbin.info/www/bejne/emXVn6qobqtleKM

[@pile-o-projects]

Thanks for the feedback! Glad it helped.

[@lincolnvlogs8965]

THE "WAVES" CAN B INDIVIDUALLY GLUED(SUPER GLUE) AND USE A METAL CLASP OR CLAMP FROM OFFICE SUPPLY TO HOLD EACH WAVE IN PLACE. U MAY HAVE TO TRIM A SMALL SECTION TO GET THE OVERALL RUBBER SEAL TO FLATTEN TO ITS ORIGINAL SHAPE BEFORE FINISHED

[@davisbrewer6136]

What did you do about replacing the rubber gasket that was damaged by the oil?

[@lincolnvlogs8965]

@@davisbrewer6136 On my sl, someone had already replaced the cylinder, i just repair the door trim. I believe there is another video where the guy bought a pack of "o" rings somewhere and used one of them. I still hv 2 more pistons to replace.

[@pile-o-projects]

THANKS FOR THE ADVICE!