SL R129 Top Hydraulics Repair (Main Lift Cylinders)

Comprehensive SL R129 Mercedes Top Hydraulics Repair (Main Lifters), 1994 SL Class R129 Top Hydraulic Main Lift Cylinder, the repair is not an easy task but is considered to be still a DIY... Only would take about 8 hours to completely repair both sides and the cost is minimum with only buying few seals or O-rings...
This Video focuses on both removal as well as the repair if the mail lift cylinders....
r129 soft top leak repair...
Video Contents:
00:00 Intro
02:30 Removal
12:45 Repair
16:40 Conclusion
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...
/ benz.addiction
/ benzaddiction
Thank you for watching, liking and subscribing...
#sl500
#sl600
#500sl
#r129
#SL
#mercedes
#TopHydraulics
#benz

[@BenzAddiction]

SL R129 Mercedes Top Hydraulics can be scary for the owners to repair and for the potential buyers a huge obstacles due to the all heard stories. Looking deeply in to the leak repair and restoration of the cylinders, you might be able to break it down in to few fun over the weekend projects, instead of paying thousands of dollars to a mechanic or even more to a MB dealer. Let's make this affordable and take the stress away from buying your favourite SL600, SL500 or even the 300...please leave your comments on your experience, love to hear and answer your questions ASAP. Cheers...

[@lawrencepellegrini2687]

I have a 1995 SL320, have purchased headrest gears as well as seal kits through Klaus for the eventual entire actuator breakdowns, one is followed by the remaining 10 or 11. With patience and a bit of skill, this tedious seal replacement can be handled, thereby saving loads of cash. Top hydraulics and Klaus's instructions have proven invaluable in this process, kudos to Klaus !

[@Sawedoff49]

First off, great job with the video! Your clear and detailed on your process and I can appreciate that! I just got my ‘92 500SL and have been researching this process the most since it seems to be the most expensive/tedious issue on these vehicles. However based off what I just watched it seems entirely possible and I’m excited to find out if I need to do this. Thank you for your help and I hope to see more!

[@BenzAddiction]

Thank you my friend for positive feedback and don't ever worry about roof cylinder restoration, if it happens to you, it is a fun and satisfying project to do... 😉 and 92 SL is a great choice.

[@martinwatkins4288]

Thank you so much for this video. Absolutely amazing !! I saved thousands of dollars !!!

[@BenzAddiction]

Thank you for the positive feedback, please subscribe and see my other R129 videos :)

[@anthonycoatesstocktonMG]

at 13:16, well worth putting a clear plastic bag over the job to capture the spring clip.

[@BenzAddiction]

Great idea 💡

[@LeoNardo-gg5fn]

I change 2 times this seals , I have my r129 since 2002.

[@BenzAddiction]

Long time owner 👍

[@_m_K_.]

Great video!

[@BenzAddiction]

Thank you.

[@Marbella2927]

Very good video

[@BenzAddiction]

Thanks my friend.

[@jyjjackfast]

good job B-A

[@BenzAddiction]

Thank you 😊

[@douglasthompson9482]

I enjoy your videos on this fabulous car.

[@BenzAddiction]

Thanks Douglas 😊

[@douglasthompson9482]

@@BenzAddiction I am still struggling to find the reason why my soft top just stopped working. My pump and fluid are fine. The fluid needs changing the. I had the relay box checked out…. Something tells me though that it is still the problem. I do hear clicking but the technician didn’t power it up. Your thoughts….

[@BenzAddiction]

@@douglasthompson9482 can you hear the pump working?

[@douglasthompson9482]

@@BenzAddiction no

[@BenzAddiction]

Have you checked the main fuse for the pump, they are so finicky...

[@urgetodrive]

Great video, clear explanations and shots. The orange slices looked delicious. Now, when will you do the other 11? 😬

[@BenzAddiction]

Thanks mate, hope it helps, good luck with your project, waiting for the other cylinders to leak to start the rest of the projects... 😉

[@davidcontini7217]

Older cars have a slightly different piston assembly.

[@BenzAddiction]

👍

[@MichaelBrown-ho5wc]

You failed to show the installation of the 2 o-rings in the piston. In my unit there appears to be a felt 0-ring and then the rubber 0-ring. There is no mention of this at all.

[@BenzAddiction]

Hello, please refer to your seal kit diagram as mine did not have such extra seal.

[@mindtherapy9353]

Hi, where did you get the new O Rings from?

[@BenzAddiction]

www.ebay.com.au/itm/281989635356?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-154756-20017-0&ssspo=uRA3VpPiQRK&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=VftSBydbT7C&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@wmiled1]

Hello, thank you for share your skills in video. I have remove the top of cylindre with the hit as you said but I would like to know what I should I use to put it back, what kind of liquid or product ?

[@BenzAddiction]

Hi, I think you are referring to locktite.

[@anthonycoatesstocktonMG]

Those same symptoms also apply to the bow lift cylinders.

[@BenzAddiction]

Yes, I changed those two a month later...

[@jake2772]

Nice job, has anyone tried using hydraulic stop leak products in conjunction with the Mercedes hydraulic fluid to try and slow the leak by “swelling the gaskets” back to original state? Don’t want to spend 3100 fixing the cylinders when the car is worth 4k. Thanks in advance 🤙🏼

[@BenzAddiction]

Hi mate, IMHO no magic leak fluid can stop the leak as the orings are so worn now...

[@nosteponsnek2617]

Thanks for the detailed walkthrough. The roll bar in my car is no functioning and it stuck in the down position, however the rest of the top functions fine. Would the lift cylinders be able to be removed and repaired without the roll bar being in the raised position? Thanks!

[@BenzAddiction]

You need to remove the rear compartment trims somehow and thus would be difficult with roll bar down. There should be a way of course. Maybe try first to fix the issue with roll bar?

[@nosteponsnek2617]

@@BenzAddiction Yeah that would be ideal but I am not sure if its just the rollbar module or the whole top module since the top works fine. Could even be solenoids, too many components in this damn top lol

[@rioraton]

Nice job! I was not so lucky. I found it to be difficult and after about 8 hrs of work I replaced the right side main lift with a rebuilt cylinder and... it did not work. Ended up taking to Independent MBZ shop and after two weeks and 3100 USD they rebuilt all 13 cylinders. However, the top still does not function as it should although it opens and closes with out leaks.

[@BenzAddiction]

Thank you my friend, sorry to hear that. Do you know what is the cause of the malfunction?

[@JohnnyD0406]

I really appreciate your videos. Very helpful. I, too, purchased a SL at auction, fairly blind. 2002 Silver Arrow. Low miles…everything is in order for the most part. Not like what you have documented. I do worry about hydraulics and such. Have you shared where you purchased the seals and guidebook? Thanks again.

[@BenzAddiction]

@@JohnnyD0406 Great, 2002 silver arrow is an awesome choice, good luck and the eBay link is www.ebay.com.au/itm/281989635356?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-154756-20017-0&ssspo=uRA3VpPiQRK&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=VftSBydbT7C&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@SkippyPB.]

Do you need to remove the bose amp? Also, my main cylinder is leaking right after flushing with new fluid. Now the main is leaking. Will it continue to leak if I don’t use the convertible?

[@BenzAddiction]

I don't think so, and should not leak afterwards.

[@helmuthhaass3631]

Excellent camera work and commentary! After replacing various cylinders and re-connecting hydraulics, how do you avoid, or eliminate, airlocks when testing the repair. Dos this happen as part of operating the softtop several times perhaps?

[@BenzAddiction]

Thank you my friend, the air pocket will be out of the system automatically as the system knows how to handle this, just need to watch the fluid level for the first few cycles.

[@helmuthhaass3631]

@@BenzAddiction Thank you; l thought that might be the case, but it's always good to get it confirmed. I owned a W100 Grosser two decades ago and the 'Komfort' hydraulics used a red (rather pleasant smelling fluid), equivalent to 'SHELL AEROFLUID 41, normally used to operate the landing gear in small aircraft. Do you happen to know whether this red fluid is still used in the hydraulics of more modern cars?

[@BenzAddiction]

@helmuth haass To be honest, I am not sure but w209 CLK and R129 uses clear type (colorless) fluid, different part numbers and I think it is logical, as I prefer the colourless one on interior trims and upholstery in case of a leak than the red one.

[@helmuthhaass3631]

@@BenzAddiction thanks for that info. Luckily the interior of my Grosser was red 😆

[@sonnyvito504]

Just got a 2001 sl500 and its doing the same except it only leaks when soft top goes up not going down.

[@BenzAddiction]

Easy fix ;)

[@sonnyvito504]

@@BenzAddiction I'm not that mechanically inclined. Have an idea what repair might cost ? It's a weekend car I don't drive it often and it's to hot in Louisiana to put top down anyway. Do you think if I fill the reservoir up when using it only will damage it more I'm scared to even put top back down to put hard top back on.

[@BenzAddiction]

@sonnyvito504 replacing those 2 main Lift Cylinders are not too difficult but, if you want to, you can top up the fluid and open the soft top, as long as you don't run the pump dry, it should be safe. The cost is only $50 of seals for me to replace the seals one by one.

[@ylberblakaj3512]

Hello where can i buy the kit?🙏

[@BenzAddiction]

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

[@louiscampochiaro2540]

How do l get replacement keys for the 97 sl320? I was told it is impossible. Can the alarm system be disabled?

[@BenzAddiction]

Contact your Mercedes dealer.

[@clyde2801]

I've found a Tulsa key place that can do it. MB dealer recommended them since they no longer handle it

[@louiscampochiaro2540]

​@clyde2801 Clyde. Does the Tulsa key maker supply the transponder chip that shuts off the security system? I have a spare key but the chip that goes in the key fob is missing so I can't start the car. Do you have the Tulsa shop's phone number or address, email? Thanks. Lou

[@louiscampochiaro2540]

​@@BenzAddictionI need the transponder chip that is in the key fob. I have a spare key but it won't shut off the security system without chip in fob. Do you have any idea who can help? Mercedes says they no longer have this service. 1997 sl320. I am at my wit's end trying to find it! Thanks. Lou

[@BenzAddiction]

@louiscampochiaro2540 Hi, try other dealershis... within past year I have seen at least 10 people buying these fobs...

[@danemulliganband]

How do those clips come off the hydraulic lines?

[@BenzAddiction]

Hi, just slide them off, there is only one way.use a skinny screw driver...

[@danemulliganband]

@@BenzAddiction ok - but any concern of them popping off and falling into an unreachable area?

[@BenzAddiction]

@danemulligan1583 yes, while pulling away have mechanic type magnet close to your screw driver. Or use a super magnet on your screw driver...

[@psmh4]

I have 96 same parts needs?

[@BenzAddiction]

I believe %99 yes.

[@La-vh3gc]

Wait a moment, mercedes service told me to change all the cylindre! If i change only the O ring like you it's ok?

[@BenzAddiction]

Depends if you would like to spend 10K at the dealer or $100 for a DIY, that's your choice...

[@La-vh3gc]

​​@@BenzAddiction ❤❤❤ One question, i use this car only summer, and only week-end so 4 days every month. And the winter, i drive with the hard top. So if i can add oil for now, and every time i check the level? And where i can find the o ring like in your vidéo ? Précision, i live in France 😅.

[@davidcontini7217]

Mercedes want you to change all the cylinders, the transmission and the steering rack. And the brakes. 😂😂😂