[R129 SL] R129 Top operations

[BJonesNY at aol.com]

Message: 3
Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2007 11:01:30 -0500
From: "Deneal  Schilmeister \(Portege\)" <deneals at sbcglobal.net>
Subject: [R129 SL]  R129 Top operations
To: "'SL Mailing List'"  <r129list at mbcoupes.com>
Message-ID:  <035b01c7fad6$58a6cbe0$6400a8c0 at PORTEGE>
Content-Type: text/plain;  charset="us-ascii"

Thank you to all for your help in my top operation  hydraulic leak.
Especially Bob Jones in Bradenton.



I bought  two new solenoids from Rusty Cullens <http://buymbparts.com/>   for
the front latches and replaced the port side latch.  I was not  strong enough
to unscrew the right side, which was not leaking, so I just  skipped
replacing that one.  Because it is recommended that the  solenoids be
replaced in pairs, I will soon replace the right side when I  feel a surge in
my strength.



The revealing item to me was  replenishing the hydraulic fluid.  A quart of
fluid cost $23 at the  dealer.  Making sure the hydraulic fluid level is
proper, and even  replacing the fluid with new makes a tremendous difference
in smooth top  operation.



___________________________

Deneal  Schilmeister

St. Louis - Cincinnati

1997  SL500

http://homepage.mac.com/deneals/SL500.htm

****************************************

Deneal, 
You're very welcome, and thoughtful to reply!
A couple of points I may not have included in the last post.  
 
o  While Rusty is certainly the 'best and brightest' when it comes to  buying 
MB parts, for these top cylinders (you referred to them as solenoids),  any 
of the dozen or so hydraulic cylinders in the 129 tops can be rebuilt for  $35@ 
+ shipping.  The rebuilder has done hundreds of these (mine as well)  and 
provides a 3 yr. warranty.  He strongly suggests as Deneal mentioned to  rebuild 
these in 'pairs' as if 1 is going on one side, it's 'mate' is soon to  follow. 
 The rebuilder's contact info is 
Dennis Ficken
16285 S. Chester
Olathe, Ks 66062
(913)  390-0506
_mercedescylinders at sbcglobal.net_ (mailto:mercedescylinders at sbcglobal.net) 
 
o  Re the hydraulic fluid replenish, or better yet, if  you've got the same 
fluid in the reservoir that came with the car, drain/refill,  Deneal is right, 
the MB specific fluid is quite pricey.  We researched this  and found that the 
OEM is Febi/Bilstein and the product number is #02615.   It even comes in the 
same blue bottle...minus that pesky 3-pointed star and  sells for around $11 
per litre. I'm not certain Rusty carries this product,  but I know you can get 
it from _www.autohausaz.com_ (http://www.autohausaz.com)  .  But try Rusty  
first.   You'll need 2 bottles to refill if you take the suggestion to  drain 
the pump.  You will be surprised at the amount of dirt that works  it's way 
into a 'closed system' over a period of years and this job becomes  cheap PM. 
Simply use a turkey baster to get the old fluid out, clean  the bottom of the 
pump, refill.   
 
o  Last, Deneal, if the torx screw was the problematic  fastener you had 
difficulty removing, try an extension on your ratchet for  additional leverage, 
and/or spray some PB Blaster.  
 
Hope this helps!
 
Bob Jones
Bradenton, FL
'99 SL 500 For Keeps
'87 560SL For Sale 






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