[R129 SL] Was R129 Top operations now INTERIOR FITMENT PROBLEMS

[Rick Lindsay]

Hey Gang,
   Joined this thread late.  What is the first symptom
of a failing/failed hydraulic cylinder?

rick

--- "Deneal Schilmeister (iMac)"
<deneals at sbcglobal.net> wrote:


> I was able to replace the right hand side front top

> cylinder with the help

> of a friend of mine who works at the Kemp Auto

> Museum here.  Interestingly

> enough, I met this guy through a Mercedes email list

> four or five years ago.

> 

> If any of you ever get to St Louis, it would be

> worth the time to check out

> the museum: 

> http://kempautomuseum.com

> 

> PS My car is the R129 at the bottom of this page:

>

http://kempautomuseum.com/photos.php?category=Events&subcatID=14

> 

> MY NEW PROBLEM is that the piece that covers the top

> of the seat belt

> housing on the driver¹s seat has come apart at the

> top of the housing,

> leaving a gap between the front half and the back

> half of the seat belt

> housing.  The seat belt housing is tight at the

> bottom of the housing, and

> I¹m afraid to pull the halves further apart to

> explore, fearing I¹ll break

> the housing altogether.

> 

> MY QUESTION is has anyone have any experience with

> taking this seat belt

> housing apart who could describe how the front and

> back attach together?

> Have I broken a plastic clip?

> 

> I¹d also be interested if anyone has had experience

> in rebuilding the 129

> seats; I believe the heater in the seat back is

> inoperative.

> 

> Thanks you everyone!

> 

>  

> +++++++++-- 

> Deneal Schilmeister

> MBCA Gateway  1991-2007

> MBCA Cincinnati 2006-2008

> 1997 SL500     (119k)

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

> http://deneals.com/

> +++++++++--

> 

> 

> 

> On 9/19/07 2:09 PM, "Deneal Schilmeister (iMac)"

> <deneals at sbcglobal.net>

> wrote:

> 

> > On 9/19/07 11:37 AM, "BJonesNY at aol.com"

> <BJonesNY at aol.com> wrote:

> > 

> >> 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

> > 

> > I was a little hasty with my prior note.  I do

> intend to have Dennis rebuild

> > the old cylinders to keep as spares.  My SL is my

> only car, so I did not want

> > the down time involved with having those cylinders

> rebuilt, and having spares

> > sounded attractive.

> > 

> >         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.

> > 

> > Thank you, Bob.  Unfortunately I bought a single

> Torx screwdriver.  I have a

> > condition which makes me tire easily and my right

> side is weak  (called

> > surviving a stroke).  I think if I¹m well-rested

> (or can enlist my 18yo son to

> > help) I¹ll be able to get it.  Actually, this is

> the first work I¹ve done

> > since my stroke seven years ago.

> > 

> > The problem made me wonder, however, if my car had

> had the left side replaced

> > once before, but not the right side.  The right

> side looked untouched, but the

> > left side had evidence of blue loctite on the

> screws when I removed them.

> 

> 

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