1995 E320 Cabriolet hydraulic top operation problem

[Kestas]

It sounds like you have a leaky cylinder. Don't go to the dealer for new cylinders. They're over $150 apiece. If you can get the cylinders out I can get you contact info for Dennis Ficken, who can rebuild them for $30 apiece plus shipping.

This is a difficult DIY job, but it can be done. You have to detrim the back seat and sides. There are two cylinders at each side of the convertible top. I took the entire top mechanism out of the car because I couldn't get a fastener to budge. You may be able to remove the cylinders without taking the top out of the car. Small hands help here.

Don't replace just the leaky cylinder. The others are not far behind. That, plus the labor, overlap compels you to replace all cylinders you can get your hands on. You don't want to do this job twice.

Besides the four cylinders that control the fabric top, there are an additional four cylinders that are relatively easy to get at. They control the tonneau cover operation and locking. Might as well get those in for rebuilding also.

Here are a couple threads for additional reading:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/2027630-post11.html

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/1307426-r129-soft-top-hydraulic-system-ultimate-thread.html