• Mercedes Benz R129 SL-Class | Model Years 1990 - 2002

• Rebuild/Upgrade Service for convertible top hydraulic components on Mercedes R129 models 280SL, 300SL, 500SL, 600SL, SL320, SL500, SL60, SL600, SL73.

• Top Hydraulics' cylinder rebuild service is widely known as the best possible option, even if you are an excellent Do-It-Yourselfer. Note also our rebuild service for hydraulic valve blocks, distributors, and pumps, as well as manufacture new, superior hydraulic hoses.

• DIY cylinder rebuild will usually lead to unintended damage - we have seen thousands of ruined cylinders from failed DIY repair attempts! 

• We have two order methods: Either you send in your cylinders first, or choose to "Order now with Core Exchange".

• Model years 1990-1996 have twelve hydraulic cylinders, while 1997-2002 models have eleven hydraulic cylinders that move and lock the roadster soft top. (The left tonneau cover lock was omitted after 1996.) The original seals in the hydraulic cylinders, aka rams or actuators, will eventually fail in every R129, unless it gets wrecked prematurely, even if you never drive the car or have never used the top before. Rebuilding these cylinders is NOT a matter of changing o-rings. Every R129 cylinder has one o-ring, and those rarely ever fail. What fails most frequently, are the other seals, which have special shapes for proper function.

• Top Hydraulics replaces and upgrades ALL seals in the cylinders with our superior proprietary material:

1.  Rod seals. They are cup-shaped and seal the piston rod from the rest of the cylinder. When they fail, you will see fluid coming out next to the chromed shaft (rod). These are usually the first seals to fail in the cylinders.
2. Piston seals. They seal the input and output sections from each other, as the piston slides through the cylinder. The piston seals have been made of different materials and sizes even in the same p/n cylinders throughout the years. Failing piston seals will cause internal leaks, which result in a pressure drop in your hydraulic system. Early model years have the added problem that the piston seals swell up and make it very hard to move the piston inside the cylinder. Crumbling piston seals can block valves or pinholes inside the hydraulic system, and it can be difficult to diagnose a piston seal failure without testing several cylinders once you find that your top is moving slowly or not at all.
3. Gland seals. These are just o-rings that seal the top cap of the cylinder from the housing. They are usually the last seals to fail, but these o-rings are penny items. 
4. Port seals. They seal the hydraulic lines where they are pushed into the cylinders. Port seal failure is becoming more and more common as the R129s age. It also applies to the front distributor p/n 1298000022. Port seals have a special shape that makes them seal under pressure. O-rings wouldn't do the trick. They are secured by precisely machined brass rings (accuracy about 1/100 mm). DIY removal of the brass rings will almost certainly destroy the brass rings. Top Hydraulics installs port seals that are tighter than the originals, just in case the hydraulic line fittings have been scratched. Cylinders and distributors upgraded by Top Hydraulics should easily outlast your car!

Mercedes Benz W124 | Years 1993-1995 Models 300CE, 220E, 320E

• For Rebuilding Your Cylinders: You must send your convertible hydraulic top cylinders to us. Once we receive your cylinders, the turn around time is up to two business days for rebuild service and we will ship the cylinders back to you (2-3 days delivery time).

• Core exchange service is now available for full sets of eight cylinders, as well as some single cylinders based on availability. Core exchange is NOT available for individual p/n's 1248000072, 1248000373, or 1248000472.

• Model years 93-95 have eight hydraulic cylinders that move and lock the convertible soft top. The original seals in the hydraulic cylinders, aka rams or actuators, will eventually fail in every W124, unless it gets wrecked prematurely, even if you never drive the car or have never used the top before. Rebuilding these cylinders is NOT a matter of changing o-rings. Every W124 cylinder has one o-ring, and those rarely ever fail. What fails most frequently, are the other seals, which have special shapes for proper function.

• Top Hydraulics replaces and upgrades ALL seals in the cylinders with superior material:

1. Rod seals. They are cup-shaped and seal the piston rod from the rest of the cylinder. When they fail, you will see fluid coming out next to the chromed shaft (rod). These are usually the first seals to fail in the cylinders.
2. Piston seals. They seal the input and output sections from each other, as the piston slides through the cylinder. The piston seals have been made of different materials and sizes even in the same p/n cylinders throughout the years. Failing piston seals will cause internal leaks, which result in a pressure drop in your hydraulic system. Early model years have the added problem that the piston seals swell up and make it very hard to move the piston inside the cylinder. Crumbling piston seals can block valves or pinholes inside the hydraulic system, and it can be difficult to diagnose a piston seal failure without testing several cylinders once you find that your top is moving slowly or not at all.
3. Cap seals. These are just o-rings that seal the top cap of the cylinder from the housing. They are usually the last seals to fail, but these o-rings are penny items.
4. Port seals. They seal the hydraulic lines where they are pushed into the cylinders. Port seal failure is becoming more and more common as the W124s age. Port seals have a special shape that makes them seal under pressure. O-rings wouldn't do the trick. They are secured by precisely machined brass rings (accuracy about 1/100 mm). DIY removal of the brass rings will almost certainly destroy the brass rings. Top Hydraulics installs port seals that are tighter than the originals, just in case the hydraulic line fittings have been scratched.

Mercedes Benz R170 | Years 1998 - 2003/2004

SLK200, SLK 230, SLK230 Kompressor, SLK320, SLK32 AMG.

• Typically requires 5 rams with hydraulic lines for complete upgrade of convertible hard top lifting system.

• We have two order methods: rebuilding the cylinder(s) you send in, or sending you a complete set up-front from our stock (slightly higher charge, plus a refundable core deposit apply).

• Please note: it is highly advisable to upgrade the trunk cylinders and the main lift cylinders in pairs. When considering the labor involved in removing one cylinder compared to a full set of cylinders, it is usually best to have all cylinders upgraded at the same time. The reason is, the majority of the labor involved is in removing access panels, and once the panels are removed, it is comparatively not much more work to remove all cylinders at once. Remember, the rebuild service for all cylinders at once costs about as much as a single replacement cylinder, and you get a much better, longer lasting product...

• Mercedes Benz R171 | Years 2004-2011 (note that US model year '04 is usually an R170 model)

• Top Hydraulics' cylinder rebuild service is widely known as the best possible option, even if you are an excellent Do-It-Yourselfer. Note also our rebuild service for hydraulic valve blocks, distributors, and pumps, as well as manufacture new, superior hydraulic hoses.

• DIY cylinder rebuild will usually lead to unintended damage - we have seen thousands of ruined cylinders from failed DIY repair attempts! 

• We have two order methods: Either you send in your cylinders first, or choose to "Order now with Core Exchange".  Core exchange currently available for the R171 SLK front lock cylinder, the full set cylinders, and the hydraulic pump unit. There is a $30 surcharge per cylinder for this service, PLUS a refundable deposit of $1000 for the full set. Core deposit will be refunded after we receive your old front lock cylinders back with lines attached and intact, as well the shaft not being scratched by tools. Either scratched shaft or damaged lines result in reduced core refund. Top Hydraulics manufactures replacement shafts and replacement hoses, but there is significant cost involved.

• If you send your cylinders in for rebuild service, Top Hydraulics averages a 2-day turn around time. Front lock and main lift cylinders must be received with lines attached and intact. The lines on the trunk lid cylinders are detachable.

• When considering the labor involved in removing one cylinder compared to a full set of cylinders, it is usually best to have all cylinders upgraded at the same time. The reason is, the majority of the labor involved is in removing access panels, and once the panels are removed, it is comparatively not much more work to remove all cylinders at once. Remember, the rebuild service for all cylinders at once costs about as much as a single replacement cylinder, and you get a much better product...

Rebuild & Upgrade service for your convertible hydraulic components. 

Top Hydraulics upgrades are truly better and longer-lasting than OEM replacements.  3-years warranty!

Mercedes R230 SL-Class | Model years 2003-2012 Cylinder and pump rebuild & upgrade service -

• We upgrade your parts to "better than new" condition with advanced seals.

• The Vario Roof hydraulic system has eight or nine actuators and/or latch cylinders (depending on model year), including the trunk's load assist, PLUS two pawl lock cylinders and one roll bar lift cylinder. All cylinders have the hydraulic lines attached and must be shipped in that condition.

• The seals in ALL these cylinders fail with time. Usually, the roof lock cylinder 2308000872 aka A 230 800 08 72 is first to leak. If you live in a hot climate and you have noticed a hydraulic leak, then having Top Hydraulics upgrade all eleven cylinders and the pump at the same time is the best choice - you will have to deal with the hydraulics only once, you save a lot of labor in the end, and the convertible top hydraulic system will outlast your car.

• Top Hydraulics' rebuild service is a true upgrade, since the rebuilt cylinders will last much longer than the originals under the same conditions, and a design flaw gets eliminated from the otherwise excellent hydraulic system.

• The hydraulic lines are not detachable from the cylinders. That means the cylinders have to be shipped with lines attached and intact. Top Hydraulics can replace cut lines on the cylinders, but there would be an additional charge.

• The R230's hydraulic Vario roof pump aka hydraulic unit is a complex, high-performance pump with integrated valve block, two different output pressures, high-end electronic noise suppression, and high flow rate. The upgrade service for your hydraulic top pump replaces heat sensitive parts inside the pump with re-designed, precision machined aluminum ones, improves fluid filtering, services the valve block, solenoids and check valves, upgrades electronic components, upgrades internal seals, and replaces the electric motors if needed.

• Early model year vario roof pumps p/n 2308000030 and 2308000348 aka A 230 800 00 30 and A 230 800 03 48 fail very frequently at this point, and should be upgraded proactively. Top Hydraulics' service makes these high-performance pumps better than brand new ones!

• Core Exchange is now available for full sets and for various (but not all) single cylinders. Includes Models SL500, SL600, SL55, SL65, SL63AMG, SL550

• We upgrade your parts to "better than new" condition with advanced seals.

• The seals in ALL these cylinders fail with time. If you live in a hot climate and you have noticed a hydraulic leak, then having Top Hydraulics upgrade all cylinders and the pump at the same time is the best choice - you will have to deal with the hydraulics only once, you save a lot of labor in the end, and the convertible top hydraulic system will outlast your car.

• Top Hydraulics' rebuild service is a true upgrade, since the rebuilt cylinders will last much longer than the originals under the same conditions, and a design flaw gets eliminated from the otherwise excellent hydraulic system.

• The hydraulic lines are not detachable from the cylinders. That means the cylinders have to be shipped with lines attached and intact. Top Hydraulics can replace cut lines on the cylinders, but there would be an additional charge.

• The R231's hydraulic pump aka hydraulic unit is a complex, high-performance pump with integrated valve block, two different output pressures, high-end electronic noise suppression, and high flow rate. The upgrade service for your hydraulic top pump replaces heat sensitive parts inside the pump with re-designed, precision machined aluminum ones, improves fluid filtering, services the valve block, solenoids and check valves, upgrades electronic components, upgrades internal seals, and replaces the electric motors if needed.

• Mercedes Benz W208 CLK Class | Years 1998 - 2003

• The W208 CLK-Class convertibles have seven hydraulic cylinders for convertible top actuation and latching. The two aluminum latching cylinders 1298001672 and 1298000072 are usually the first ones to fail, and should be upgraded at the same time. The five black lift cylinders 2088000x72 usually follow as a second stage.

• We upgrade your 2088000x72 cylinder(s) by replacing the tiny OEM rod seal with a much larger one made of superior material, and adding custom caps made of CNC machined stainless steel to accommodate these superior seals. Our seals are not sensitive to water and are resistant to most additives in hydraulic fluid. This results in a much longer service life than the standard OEM cylinders, for a fraction of the price.

• Our Core Exchange option makes this as easy as buying a new cylinder - you only have to ship back your old cylinder(s) afterwards for core credit. Core Exchange is available for single CLK cylinders, locking cylinders already mounted in replacement latches, or full sets of cylinders.

• Top Hydraulics' also rebuilds and upgrades convertible hydraulic pumps, and we also manufacture our own upgraded hydraulic lines.

• Owning and driving a convertible with an automatic top is prestigious, convenient and exciting - let Top Hydraulics help you enjoy your beautiful car even more by making your convertible top system truly better than new!

• Top Hydraulics' standard warranty is 3 years on rebuilds/upgrades of convertible top cylinders and hydraulic pumps, and on new hydraulic hoses.

• For standard rebuild service, you remove your cylinders you would like to have rebuilt/upgraded, using the best seals available, and send them to us. Once we receive your cylinders, the turn around time for W208 CLK-Class cylinders is about two days for rebuild service and we will ship the cylinders back to you by Priority U.S. Mail (2-3 days transit time in the US).

• Mercedes Benz W209 CLK | Years 2003 - 2009

• You remove your cylinders you would like to have rebuilt, and send them to us.  Once we receive your cylinders, the turn around time for W209 CLK-Class cylinders is 1-2 days for rebuild service and we will ship the cylinders back to you by Priority U.S. Mail (2-3 days delivery time).

• If you're on a tight schedule to get your top operating again, Our Core Exchange option can make this as easy as buying new cylinders - you only have to ship back your old cylinder(s) afterwards for core credit. Core Exchange is available for some single CLK cylinders depending on our inventory, but always available for full sets of cylinders.

• These cylinders typically fail first in the rear of the cylinder. The OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) cylinders have front and rear caps that are sealed from the cylinder bodies with a seal material that decays over time. Top Hydraulics replaces those seals with a far superior material that is not sensitive to water and is resistant to most additives in hydraulic fluid. Our seals have a larger cross section for a superior static seal.

• The OEM cylinders rely on a tiny o-ring to energize a very thin, flat rod seal. The o-rings loose elasticity over time, and the OEM rod seals wear out.

• Top Hydraulics manufactures and installs its own precision CNC machined front caps in these cylinders, so that the tiny OEM rod seals can be replaced with Top Hydraulics' own u-cup seals for a far more reliable seal and much longer service life. In addition, the size and geometry of Top Hydraulics' u-cups is forgiving to tiny scratches and imperfections in the cylinder rods (aka piston rods or shafts), caused during the original manufacture, during removal from the car, during installation into the car, or by impurities in the hydraulic fluid.

• Top Hydraulics replaces the port seals (where the hydraulic hoses attach) and ships spares with each cylinder, in case your mechanic accidentally pinches an o-ring while installing the hydraulic hose.

• Owning and driving a convertible with an automatic top is prestigious, convenient and exciting - let Top Hydraulics help you enjoy your beautiful car even more by making your convertible top system truly better than new!.

• You send in your hydraulic pump, and Top Hydraulics upgrades it to be better and longer lasting than OEM!

• Why buy new parts? - you will get a superior product back from Top Hydraulics at a fraction of the dealer price.

• You remove your cylinders you would like to have rebuilt, and send them to us.  Once we receive your cylinders, the turn around time for A207 E-Class cylinders is 1-2 days for rebuild service and we will ship the cylinders back to you by Priority U.S. Mail (2-3 days delivery time).

• These cylinders typically fail first in the rear of the cylinder. The OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) cylinders have front and rear caps that are sealed from the cylinder bodies with a seal material that decays over time. Top Hydraulics replaces those seals with a far superior material that is not sensitive to water and is resistant to most additives in hydraulic fluid. Our seals have a larger cross section for a superior static seal.

• The OEM cylinders rely on a tiny o-ring to energize a very thin, flat rod seal. The o-rings loose elasticity over time, and the OEM rod seals wear out.

• Top Hydraulics manufactures and installs its own precision CNC machined front caps in these cylinders, so that the tiny OEM rod seals can be replaced with Top Hydraulics' own u-cup seals for a far more reliable seal and much longer service life. In addition, the size and geometry of Top Hydraulics' u-cups is forgiving to tiny scratches and imperfections in the cylinder rods (aka piston rods or shafts), caused during the original manufacture, during removal from the car, during installation into the car, or by impurities in the hydraulic fluid.

• Top Hydraulics replaces the port seals (where the hydraulic hoses attach) and ships spares with each cylinder, in case your mechanic accidentally pinches an o-ring while installing the hydraulic hose.

• Owning and driving a convertible with an automatic top is prestigious, convenient and exciting - let Top Hydraulics help you enjoy your beautiful car even more by making your convertible top system truly better than new!.

• Wagon power tailgate aka lift gate pump and/or cylinder rebuild & upgrade service.

• You send in your pump and/or cylinder, and Top Hydraulics upgrades them to be better and longer lasting than OEM.

• Various options are available - please inquire if you do not find the exact match in our online offering. Top Hydraulics services and upgrades pumps, upgrades the seals in the cylinders, and replaces hydraulic hoses if necessary with far superior material.

• Why buy new parts? - you will get a superior product back from Top Hydraulics at a fraction of the dealer price.

Mercedes-Benz W215 CL-Class 2000-2006 CL500 CL55 AMG CL600 CL65 AMG

W220 S-Class 2000-2006 : S320 CDI, S320, S430, S500, S600, S55 AMG Rebuild/Upgrade service for trunk power opening/closing hydraulic system.

Rebuild & Upgrade Service for your 2006-2013 W221 S-Class Hydraulic Liftgate components.

S280, S300L, S320, S400, S420CDI, S450CDI, S500, S600 Pullman, S63AMG, S65AMG

• G-Class convertibles have two hydraulic cylinders lifting the top.

• The seals inside these cylinders are similar to those in other convertibles and lift gate cylinders: they decay with time. Otherwise, the cylinders do not normally wear out (unless they are grossly mistreated and get damaged on the chromed shafts). Thus, with Top Hydraulics' superior seals in your cabriolet hydraulics, they will be better than brand new parts.

• Top Hydraulics does not currently stock the G-Class convertible hydraulic cylinders p/n 463-805-00-01; you will have to send in yours for rebuild/upgrade service. Please contact Top Hydraulics if you need individual hydraulic lines/hoses/pipes manufactured, or if you need us to rebuild your convertible hydraulic pump.

• Mercedes-Benz X164 GL-Class | GL350, GL450, GL550

• Top Hydraulics is currently servicing the lift gate pump and cylinder on a case-by-case basis. Send us your pump or pump and cylinder, we will evaluate them, and give you a price for rebuild with warranty. In most cases, the rebuild cost is between $300 and $400 plus return shipping.

• Most pumps fail when they accidentally get exposed to too much moisture. The rebuild service of the electrical portion of your pump can entail replacing the electric motor, replacing the solenoid, rebuilding the motor, rebuilding the solenoid, replacing the wiring harness, repairing the wiring harness, or a combination of the above. Further to electrical issues, Top Hydraulics will always rebuild the pump by replacing internal seals, replacing rotor and pistons if necessary, replacing or rebuilding internal check valves, and putting the finished product through an extensive test to ensure that you get back a pump that performs better than a brand new one.

• Pump and cylinder part numbers applicable to the GL-Class hydraulic rear door closing system:

• A 164 800 01 48 Hydraulic pump with cylinder for rear-end door closing liftgate,aka p/n 1648000148 A 164 800 07 48 Hydraulic pump with cylinder for rear-end door closing liftgate, aka p/n 1648000748 A 164 800 31 48 Hydraulic pump with cylinder for rear-end door closing liftgate, aka p/n 1648003148 A 164 800 41 48 Hydraulic pump with cylinder for rear-end door closing liftgate, aka p/n 1648004148 A 164 800 33 48 Hydraulic pump with cylinder for rear-end door closing liftgate, aka p/n 1648003348 A 164 800 43 48 Hydraulic pump with cylinder for rear-end door closing liftgate, aka p/n 1648004348 A 164 800 19 48 Hydraulic pump motor/pump element, aka p/n 1648001948 A 164 800 49 48 Hydraulic pump motor/pump element, aka p/n 1648004948