Mustang Convertible Hydraulic Cylinder Plug - How To Replace It!
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- Опубліковано 22 кві 2023
- How to replace the Mustang convertible hydraulic cylinder plug!
Get A New Hydraulic Cylinder Plug Here - amzn.to/47Y90MD
When the hydraulic cylinders that lift the convertible top on our Mustang failed, we knew we had a job ahead of us.
There are plenty of videos on UA-cam that show you how to replace them, but not one that showed how to relace the plug on the hydraulic cylinder that holds all the hydraulic fluid that operates the system.
After a bit of aggravation & a lot of blood, we figured out a way to replace the plug on the hydraulic cylinder that we hope saves you a lot of time...And blood!
If you have any questions on how to bleed the system on the Mustang convertible system, please leave a comment & we will gladly help.
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Replacing the hydraulic cylinders on your Mustang convertible is an enjoyable task that can literally save you thousands of dollars. With a little patience & determination this DIY task will save you time & money.
We hope you enjoyed this tutorial on how to replace the Mustang convertible hydraulic cylinder plug.
#Mustang #Convertible #Plug
I tried a flattened end of a golf tee, but couldn’t apply enough pressure and hadn’t that about needle nose pliers. My wife became my assistant to replace the plug. We weren’t as quick as your video…But your system worked.
SUPER VIDEO!!!
Awesome!
I think I might still be out there if my wife hadn't thought of it.
How's it working now?
Thanks for dropping by & have a great day :)
@RCInsiders
Bingo! Everyone else miracles the plug back in the pump. You show us exactly how to do it! Thank you
You are most welcome Paul!
This plug quickly became my nemesis 😜😅
Thanks for dropping by & have a great day!!
@RCInsiders
Excellent Video, I struggled with the plug for 30 minutes then watched this video. Plug was in in a minute. Awesome!!
Awesome Don!
This plug was a royal pain 💯
Glad the video helped. How's your top running now?
Thanks for dropping by & have a great day :)
@RCInsiders
My advice - if you don't have any sign of leaking fluid around the cylinder, DO NOT remove the plug to see if it's full. My 17 year old Mustang (2007) was having occasional glitches in the top stopping mid-motion. It was not the cylinder, and I could barely get the stupid thing back in. Ford should have used a threaded plug with O-Ring. But do NOT remove unless you really really really think the fluid is low or bad. The allen wrench approach worked, but I'd swear if felt that I must have torn the tip from the inside to get it done.
On a related note, it may have been the convertible limit switch which I cleaned (there's a video someone did on this, it's on the right side scissor mechanism). I also set up a technique where I can wire the pump directly to the battery if I'm force - but please note do NOT just touch negative and positive to the terminals because default condition on the electrical wiring diagram is ground, if you try to touch +12 and ground you'll fry one of the two wires. You have to disconnect the power to the cylinder and bypass it completely for force up or down. You'll also need a 13mm socket in the trunk to remove the rear seat.
I don't know if anyone else with a 2005-2014 mustang has had the problem with intermittent convertible top power, but it's unnerving and I'm almost afraid to try it unless the weather is clear and I can get straight home or to shelter somewhere. I want to work up a permanent solution with an easily accessible switch somewhere on the rear trim of the back seat that I can quickly disconnect and use power straight from the battery to force it up or down. If I get around to that, I'll post my experience.
Hi James,
Thanks for all the tips, advice & insights!
I eventually got good with the plug as I had to fill a few times to get the system full.
In later years, Ford eventually went to threaded plug. Why they didn't do it from the get go the world may never know 😂
Let me know how the switch works if you get the chance?
Thanks for dropping by & have a great day :)
@RCInsiders
great video and information
Thanks buddy,
You can certainly save some 💲💲
Just need a little patience :)
@RCInsiders
Great video my rc friend, big like for the asistent! 👍😀
Thanks buddy!
Life is always better with an assistant :)
Thanks for dropping by & happy bashing!!
@RCInsiders
God bless you sir!
Thanks Devyn! God bless you as well 😀
Did you do this project? How did go for you?
Thanks for dropping by & have a great day!
@RCInsiders
Very nice my friend 💯👍😊
Thanks my friend!
Well worth it :)
@RCInsiders
Great job guys sounds like you fixed it now glad you're wife clever mate great info Don 🤠🇬🇧👍😃😃😃😃🤞
Thanks Don.
This was a slight pain, but well worth the savings :)
I fought that plug for an hour then she came up with that 😜😅
Have a great week mate 🍻
@RCInsiders
Thank you!
You're welcome Matt!
This plug was my nemesis 😁🤣
Did you get it working again?
Thanks for dropping by & have a great day 🍻
@RCInsiders
@@RCInsiders I did, but I popped the motor loose because I could not figure out how to get the electrical contacts out of the way. Is there a trick to getting that out that way I can leave the motor mounted and fill it properly?
@@matthewdouglass9564 Hey Matt,
Yes, you should be able to leave it mounted. I just removed the plug & put some paper towels around the hole. Fill it until it starts to run out. Replace the plug & cycle the top a few times to fill the system. Remove the plug & fill again. You may have to do it a few times to completely fill the system. I only had to do it twice.
@@RCInsiders so do the electrical connectors in front of it just slide off the bracket?
Yes
😎 cool
A fun project for sure :)
@RCInsiders
How do I test this motor to see if it works? And also test the cylinders?
Hi,
When you push the button, whether or not the cylinders are bad, you should still hear sound from the motor. If you don't hear anything, it is most likely bad.
As for the cylinders, you would first need to check the reservoir is full of fluid. If full & the motor is good, then cylinder may be bad. The cylinder will usually show signs of leaking fluid if they are bad.
Also, check your fuses before all else :)
What issues are you having?
Thanks for dropping by & have a great day 😀
@RCInsiders
Nice sharing! I hope that your finger cure soon..
Thanks buddy!
Finger is getting there and the convertible is working great 😀😎
Thanks for dropping by & happy bashing!!
@RCInsiders
I have a 2010 mustang and EVERYTHING seems to be just a big different. It seems my canister doesn't have a plug you can pull by hand how would I go about refilling the canister??
Hi,
Does your canister have a bolt or threaded plug on it?
I haven't seen a 2010 but there has to be some way to fill the hydraulic cylinder.
Thanks for dropping by & have a great day :)
@RCInsiders
@RCInsiders hey! Thanks for the reply. I was being a dummy and realized it was a size 4 Allen wrench screw. I unscrewed it, used a spray bottle sprayer to kinda siphon the old black fluid out which wasn't very viscous. I bought dexron VI and refilled it till it overflowed which is about halfway or so. However, my top still doesn't work. I've already replaced the switch itself and the relays both work (I hear a click for the up and down button press). I've yet to check the fuse for the convertible top but that MIGHT (hopefully) be the issue. When I press the top up button, I hear the motor just fine, when I press the top down button, I hear nothing and nothing happens, besides the top down relay click. However, this has always been the case, whenever I'd press the top down in the past it would take a second or two and THEN I'd hear the motor kick in and the top would go down. With the top up button I've basically always heard the motor kick in instantly as it the top goes up. The top would move slow sometimes so I think potententially it could've used a good ATF fluid refill. Any ideas?
@@amonzi8646 If the fuse turns out to be good, I would check the lift cylinders. You may also need to bleed air out of the system. You can do this by cycling the up/down button & then check/fill the ATF reservoir again. After I changed the lift shocks I had cycle & fill 4 or 5 times to achieve normal operation. My guess is the system needs to be bled, but it could actually be the pump (motor). Good luck my friend & keep me updated :)
@RCInsiders update: changed fuse, already had previously replaced switch, refilled hydraulic motor with ATF dexron vi, replaced relays. Still not working. There are two pin connectors above the hydraulic pump (motor), a small harness, and a larger one. I couldn't tell which was for motor up or motor down function, so I unplugged each at a time while leaving the other plugged in to narrow it down. Turns out the big one is for motor down and the smaller one is for motor up. At this point, I am 99% certain the connector is bad. It was hard for me to tell what part this was it had a LONG number and was labeled "wire hareness" but I couldn't find anything about this part online. Hopefully it's separate from the motor and I can get a replacement, but for now I'll leave it alone I need a break. It really sucks too, it's getting hot here I'm alabama already. Do you recommend I contact an electrician mechanic. I do NOT want to ask a traditional mechanic for something like this since they charge way too much. Probably would've charged me $500 just to refill the hydraulic canister.
Thanks for the video, Where do you bought it?
You're welcome 👍
You can grab it on Amazon here - amzn.to/47Y90MD
Are you replacing the cylinders?
Thanks for dropping by & have a great day :)
@RCInsiders
@@RCInsiders thank you bro! Have a great day!! :)
@@raulbenitez6754 Thanks!!
what oil dan i use for refill the pump? and how many oz takes?
Hi James,
you can use a hydraulic oil specifically designed for convertible tops, or you can just use Dexron II automatic transmission fluid (ATF).
The are basically the same thing & will work well.
You just fill the tank until it is running out of the fill hole. Replace the plug & operate the top a couple cycles. Remove plug, fill again till it runs out the hole. Repeat the process until system is full & runs smooth during operation.
What year is yours?
Thanks for dropping by & have a great day :)
@RCInsiders
thanks a lot, mine is 97 mustang@@RCInsiders
@@jamesmarshall7387 Nice! Hope it works out well for you :)
What are the amps for
Hi,
They are for the original sound system in the car.
Thanks for dropping by & have a great day :)
@RCInsiders
sooo what happens if the plug is torn nd inside the motor??
Hi,
Are you saying that you broke the plug and it has fallen into the cylinder?
@@RCInsiders yea, tried everything to get it out, it ripped in half and fell inside
@@quarans08 Well, the good news is there should be a filter inside. At this point the only way to get it out would be to replace the cylinder. If it was me, I wouldn't worry about it too much. If one day it clogs up the filter, you will probably have to replace it.
Sorry to hear that happened! Why can't anything ever be easy 😁🤣
@@RCInsiders As long as there’s a filter i’m not too worried about it 🙏🏽🙏🏽 i’ll end up replacing it anyways, maybe the top will raise and lower faster. Thanks!
@@quarans08 You're welcome :) Hope it works out well for you!
I also used a new plug
I did as well, but it was still a pain :)
Where did you get the new plug?
@@davidsuzukiispolpot Hey David,
Here's a link to the new plug - amzn.to/47Y90MD
Are you replacing the cylinders or the whole top?
@@RCInsiders Thanks for your answer.
I don't see where the leakage is coming from, and considering it took 35 years for it to leak enough to stop working, I am planning to get the roof to work by just replacing the fluid and see what happens.
My top has shrunk but I was going to see if I could just readjust it to get it to work.
I haven't researched this on the internet, but when I was a "young" man, I successfully moved a fox body roof from a junk-yard car to another car that had a destroyed roof. I don't remember anything about how I did it except for following the shop manuals.
Is there something I should look at?
@@davidsuzukiispolpot I would start by checking out the cylinders as that seems to be the most common place for leaks.
Just warm it a little with a lighter then plug it in
Hi,
You could try that, but be careful.
If the heat misshapes the plug at all it may leak as it is a pressurized system.
Are you doing this project? How did go for you?
Thanks for dropping by & have a great day :)
@RCInsiders
Should I use a heat gun or something? This simply won’t work for me I think the pressure expanded my plug even more than it’s supposed to be
Hi,
No, I do not recommend using a heat gun.
Are you using an Allen wrench to push it in?
Yes i am, even with an assistant and pliers it seems near impossible. Applying pressure with the pliers just seems to spread the plug wider rather than making it easier to fit in
My thinking was a heat gun would shrink/soften the rubber very slightly and make it easier to get in
@@sasquatchgaming7475 Possibly, but my concern would be if it mishapes it, it may not seal properly. It is a pressurized system & may leak. You may be best to buy a new plug. I think they are $3 or 4 dollars.
I’m probably gonna try one more time with the Allen key and pliers, if not use a heat gun, and if it deforms it at all I’ll buy a new one
Mine is still too big to get in, I’ve tried this and just simply can’t get it out
Get it back in*
Hi,
I know getting this plug back in is a huge pain in the arse, but with a little patience you can do it!
If you can get someone to assist it will make it easier, but you can get it in by itself.
The biggest thing is to turn the pliers back and forth while lightly squeezing the plug. You have to apply pressure with the allen wrench at the same time.
I know you can do it 😀
Let me know how it goes!
@RCInsiders
👍👍
Thanks for the encouragement, I’ll try but I’m forcing it as hard as I can while turning and it doesn’t want to budge at all, I’m worried I will punch a hole in the plug
I took a razor blade and shaved some of the rubber off. Carefully, but it's a lot easier.
Hey Peter,
I would keep a close eye on that plug. It is a pressurized system & any modification to the plug could cause the fluid to leak.
If you get the chance, can you stop by in a week or 2 & let me know if you develop any leaking issues?
Thanks for dropping by & have a great day :)
@RCInsiders
I removed my plug with a flathead screwdriver and then use my fingers to pull it out and to put it in with no tools
Awesome Scott!
You are one of the few lucky ones my friend :)
How's it working now?
Thanks for dropping by & have a great day!
@RCInsiders
Busted right through the plug and it still didn’t go in
Ugh!
What were you using to push the plug in?
How's it going now, were you able to get a plug in?
Thanks for dropping by & have a great day :)
@RCInsiders
I think U don't have the right plug mine isn't near that hard
Hi,
It is definitely the correct plug.
It needs to be very tight fitting as the system is pressurized.
Did you do this project? How did it go?
Thanks for dropping by & have a great day :)
@RCInsiders