Hydraulic Piston problems for soft top

[dennis300sl]

Bob,
I haven't run across this yet, every cylinder I've taken apart the piston seal has been in great shape. MB used a urethane piston seal that seems to hold up very well. It's just the crappy rod seals that are the problem. If your cylinder becomes weak, either the piston seal has cracked or split, or possibly some trash from a seal from another cylinder has gotten between the seal and the cylinder wall. If the seal piston seal is bad, I could either get with a seal manufacturer and have some custom made, or machine the piston to accept o-rings (like most hydraulic cylinders). If I have the seals made, I will have to pass the cost along. If I just machine the piston, the price would still be $30.

Dennis

[dennis300sl]

Bob,
I haven't run across this yet, every cylinder I've taken apart the piston seal has been in great shape. MB used a urethane piston seal that seems to hold up very well. It's just the crappy rod seals that are the problem. If your cylinder becomes weak, either the piston seal has cracked or split, or possibly some trash from a seal from another cylinder has gotten between the seal and the cylinder wall. If the seal piston seal is bad, I could either get with a seal manufacturer and have some custom made, or machine the piston to accept o-rings (like most hydraulic cylinders). If I have the seals made, I will have to pass the cost along. If I just machine the piston, the price would still be $30.

Dennis

[Hawaii]

Originally Posted by Hawaii

Perhaps someone could but the procedure info here so we can all find it, I've been searching for two weeks to find out how to get into the area of the big cylinder.
Jeff

Thank you Mr. Woodley for the print out of the proceedure!!!
Jeff

[RSWoodley]

Dennis300SL
Do you live in the states? If so what is the turnaround for the cylinders?

[dennis300sl]

I am located in Olathe, Kansas. If I have the seals on hand, I can usually turn them around in a day.

[Mal]

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/R129TopRelease

Ive been talking to Dennis. I just have to pull mine and send them.

[RSWoodley]

Dennis I will be doing mine also, but it may be a few eeks before I have time. Please send me an email with your mailing address mine is rswoodley@cox.net .

Mal let us know how it turns out for you

be Blessed Folks

[gireaud]

all the pistons are very easy to repair, you dont have to expend much money, you take out the piston and you may dissassembly by taking out the retainer, then pull out the axel, there you will see the seal, that have a very difficult size to found around, but you may replace that seal for a o ring (two) and that will work perfect. about the mb oil, you may use ISO 32 is the same of hydraulics elevetors. you will expend 10 cents of a dollar and one hour work.

[RSWoodley]

gireaud
Are you saying all I need to do is use two O rings and they will seal it ok?

[SunGuy]

Originally Posted by RSWoodley

gireaud
Are you saying all I need to do is use two O rings and they will seal it ok?

Mr. Woodley,

Dennis Ficken rebuilt my front latch cylinders about a month ago, and with putting the top up/down every day or so for this period, the rebuilt cylinders have performed flawlessly. Dennis also sent me the old seals so I could see where/how they fail. Gireaud may be correct that an o-ring solution could be possible, but I'll let someone else take that chance. What I can say is that Dennis' work and results have been outstanding.

Bob

[RSWoodley]

Thanks Bob. I was planning on going that way anyway. I don't mind taking them out but I sure ain't gonna pull them apart. be Blessed

Ross