I am grateful for you sharing this. My R230 top failed last weekend and fluid was leaking out of the front driver side. A lot of paper towels. I took it to my 'stealership' and they are quoting me $15k for repair, but not sure what they will replace. You gave me an in depth view of all the systems. Thank You!
Hi one of those actuators seems to have gone wrong on my car as well (it hangs loosely when the trunk is opened) did you watch a video for the rebuild or buy new parts?
I am continuing to watch your video and its always appreciated. Mr. Marco has an excellent video for tha 2 side cylinders and the soft closing latch. I have replaced on of those rear right cylinders but I still have a leak that I cannot find. My top works beautifully as long as I have fluid in the reservoir. Once it drops below min the system will not complete its cycle. Not certain why without traces of hydraulic fluid...somewhere in my car must be a lake of hydraulic fluid...I even had my mechanic look under the car when he was recently performing a service...but nothing. I have an '05 SL500. Years aho when I had an SLK, the overhead cylinder leaked all over my liner and stained/ruined it....but my SL liner is clean. Any ideas/perspectives would b appreciated.
I would start at the front lock cylinder, at least pull the front of the headliner down a bit to inspect it. My research points to that one failing the most. Top Hydraulics is the one I used and you don’t have to chase the line all the way back to the pump. Keep me posted. Otherwise, the Pawl cylinders for roll bar are next to go. Can’t see them to inspect without removing some panels behind the seat (I haven’t done this yet)
Another thing to consider is the fact that since you have replaced one cylinder that was leaking that it increases the pressure to the entire system because it is no longer leaking and creates leaks at other cylinders.
@@mikemoreau7084 Thanks for tha reply. It appears that someone was up in the headliner already but I am still not finding any hyraulic fluid...and by my measure...it sh b quite a bit of fluid
@@mikemoreau7084 Yes thanks...I do continue to check the others. Thinking I may need to rip out the back seat/storage are and check those out....but tha fluid is going somewhere
@@mikemoreau7084 Thanks for the replies. In my case, I think mine has been gone thru up top. Therefore my guess is going to be the one controlling the rollbar. I have not attempted to deploy it since I have owned the car. As stated, Mr. Marco has an excellent video on the rollbar piston replacement in his 2004 SL. Thanks again RB
Thanks again for the video and update. I did not see it in the video, but regarding the vertical cylinder at the back of the trunk, I did not see you remove the hydraulic lines from the cylinder....only from the pump. Did you remove the hydraul. lines before removing the cylinder? I have taken the chance of buying used cylinder (hey, I am cheap), which already contain the existing lines....so rather than clipping all of those plastic ties I simply route the new lines under all of the covers and attach to the pump. I did like your comment abt Mercedes engineers.....in hindsight, perhaps electric motors/gears would have been more efficient. Thanks again. RB
You cannot (to my knowledge) remove the lines from the cylinder. The run is short enough to the pump that it can be repaired by sending in the cylinder with the lines attached so you don’t have to splice it. Thanks for the comment, sorry it took me a bit to get back to you.
Massive thanks for making this video- - I am about to proactively start swapping out all my Vario Cylinders- In the interim does applying rod lubricant on the exposed rams help in longevity? Can't hurt?
Cabriolet Hydraulics in Sarasota Florida. Cabriolethydraulics.com. The only advantage I see with them vs. top hydraulics is on the front lock cylinder you do not have to chase the entire line all the way back to the pump. Cabriolet Hydraulics got the 4 cylinders at 1:00 on Monday and I received them at 9:00 am on Wednesday. Quick turnaround and they all seem to work great so far. I called and spoke with Nino.
I have a leaky cylinder on my 2009 SL550. I'm going to attempt this repair. I'm pretty much to the end of the internet, and I can't find a "how to" for removing the headliner...unbelievable. Can you direct me, or tell me how? Is it complicated? Does it require any special tools? Thanks!
It is actually very easy, but easy that was partially because the snaps used to secure the headliner to the top were all not adhered to the headliner any more. The only thing holding mine in were the rubber window gaskets on both sides of the headliner. You simply peel these away from the headliner and it drops down.
Not sure who dislikes this amazing video.
I appreciate your help showing how to disassemble hydraulic system in the trunk!
Saved me a lot of hassle
Thanks for the kind words!!
I've rebuilt the front lock cylinder. I need to tackle the rear units now.
Thanks for this. It helps to get an idea of what's in store to get to them.
I am grateful for you sharing this. My R230 top failed last weekend and fluid was leaking out of the front driver side. A lot of paper towels. I took it to my 'stealership' and they are quoting me $15k for repair, but not sure what they will replace. You gave me an in depth view of all the systems. Thank You!
I am glad I am not buying this car. Failure of these hydraulic system is outrageous and fixing them is even worse.
@@sano0311 - I did not buy my SL55 AMG as an investment. I bought it for the pure joy of driving it, which is incredible.
Good video. I didn't see your video earlier. Wish I had. I just finished with the same 4. Now I'm doing the rebuild kit on the flap actuators.
Hi one of those actuators seems to have gone wrong on my car as well (it hangs loosely when the trunk is opened) did you watch a video for the rebuild or buy new parts?
Man thank you so much for this beautiful video , it helped me a lot
Thanks for showing me I don't want to tackle that. Guess I'll pass on the SL idea. (11 total cylinders/pump !)
It really is an awesome car though…….
@@mikemoreau7084 I'm back to them after looking at lots of other cars. LOL
I am continuing to watch your video and its always appreciated. Mr. Marco has an excellent video for tha 2 side cylinders and the soft closing latch. I have replaced on of those rear right cylinders but I still have a leak that I cannot find. My top works beautifully as long as I have fluid in the reservoir. Once it drops below min the system will not complete its cycle. Not certain why without traces of hydraulic fluid...somewhere in my car must be a lake of hydraulic fluid...I even had my mechanic look under the car when he was recently performing a service...but nothing. I have an '05 SL500. Years aho when I had an SLK, the overhead cylinder leaked all over my liner and stained/ruined it....but my SL liner is clean. Any ideas/perspectives would b appreciated.
I would start at the front lock cylinder, at least pull the front of the headliner down a bit to inspect it. My research points to that one failing the most. Top Hydraulics is the one I used and you don’t have to chase the line all the way back to the pump. Keep me posted. Otherwise, the Pawl cylinders for roll bar are next to go. Can’t see them to inspect without removing some panels behind the seat (I haven’t done this yet)
Another thing to consider is the fact that since you have replaced one cylinder that was leaking that it increases the pressure to the entire system because it is no longer leaking and creates leaks at other cylinders.
@@mikemoreau7084 Thanks for tha reply. It appears that someone was up in the headliner already but I am still not finding any hyraulic fluid...and by my measure...it sh b quite a bit of fluid
@@mikemoreau7084 Yes thanks...I do continue to check the others. Thinking I may need to rip out the back seat/storage are and check those out....but tha fluid is going somewhere
@@mikemoreau7084 Thanks for the replies. In my case, I think mine has been gone thru up top. Therefore my guess is going to be the one controlling the rollbar. I have not attempted to deploy it since I have owned the car. As stated, Mr. Marco has an excellent video on the rollbar piston replacement in his 2004 SL. Thanks again RB
ZOOM OUT for perspective! - I dont remove lines, just the cylinders, then i reseal them on the car. - Benz care auto
Thanks again for the video and update. I did not see it in the video, but regarding the vertical cylinder at the back of the trunk, I did not see you remove the hydraulic lines from the cylinder....only from the pump. Did you remove the hydraul. lines before removing the cylinder? I have taken the chance of buying used cylinder (hey, I am cheap), which already contain the existing lines....so rather than clipping all of those plastic ties I simply route the new lines under all of the covers and attach to the pump. I did like your comment abt Mercedes engineers.....in hindsight, perhaps electric motors/gears would have been more efficient. Thanks again. RB
You cannot (to my knowledge) remove the lines from the cylinder. The run is short enough to the pump that it can be repaired by sending in the cylinder with the lines attached so you don’t have to splice it. Thanks for the comment, sorry it took me a bit to get back to you.
Massive thanks for making this video- - I am about to proactively start swapping out all my Vario Cylinders- In the interim does applying rod lubricant on the exposed rams help in longevity? Can't hurt?
I have the same problem and would like to know where did you send your cylinders to be repaired?
Thx for this great vidéo 😊
I was thinking of sending mines to top hydraulics in Oregon
Cabriolet Hydraulics in Sarasota Florida. Cabriolethydraulics.com. The only advantage I see with them vs. top hydraulics is on the front lock cylinder you do not have to chase the entire line all the way back to the pump. Cabriolet Hydraulics got the 4 cylinders at 1:00 on Monday and I received them at 9:00 am on Wednesday. Quick turnaround and they all seem to work great so far. I called and spoke with Nino.
i agree with the company in Oregon because the use the better seals that last longer than the life of the car. (different material)
@@davidwilliams4895 What do they use???
Can I ask how you got that little electrical connection off the bottom of that cylinder? Try8ng the same and damn thing just wont release.
@@bbviper3674 what cylinder? What time stamp on the video for me to go back and review?
I bought just the cylinders on Euro Parts for 1,000 for 3
I have a leaky cylinder on my 2009 SL550. I'm going to attempt this repair. I'm pretty much to the end of the internet, and I can't find a "how to" for removing the headliner...unbelievable. Can you direct me, or tell me how? Is it complicated? Does it require any special tools? Thanks!
It is actually very easy, but easy that was partially because the snaps used to secure the headliner to the top were all not adhered to the headliner any more. The only thing holding mine in were the rubber window gaskets on both sides of the headliner. You simply peel these away from the headliner and it drops down.
@@mikemoreau7084 I've since found the procedure, and it doesn't look that bad. Thanks, I appreciate the response!
@@SandovalSolutionsFL how did it go ? what did you have to remove? and did you rebuild or order a new one?
I didn't cach the name of the company doing the cylinder rebuilt?
Cabriolet Hydraulics
You are clueless. Just takes a few minutes to put new seals in hydraulic catch on front latch