If the solenoid on the soft top is bad will it stop the soft top from going up and down? I have rebuilt several of the hydraulic cylinders rebuilt by Dennis Ficken 16285 S. Chester
Olathe, Ks 66062 (913) 390-0506 and damaged the solenoid but Dennis Ficken sent me a solenoid he had. If the solenoid is bad will it stop the top from going up? The rear cover opens but the top just doesn't even try to close.

I have decided to overhaul the two cylinders for the front top locks and also drain and refill the fluid in the tank (has some black particles in it) and may ruse some of the used fluid after passing it through a coffee filter.

My question is - Will I be lucky and find that only these two cylinders need repair or will it become a continuing problem for all 11 cylinders in my 98 SL500?

I'm hoping that it's just these two which are heated by the sun.

One other question. There are 3 repair options -
1. O-rings on eBay [not good I think],
2. a self rebuild using good cup seals, or
3. an overnight rebuild shipping to a specific repair guy.

Cylinder repair
 

It is a endless process and the cylinders will probably all need rebuilt. If you can do it yourself then go for it but for the $125.00 Dennis Fricken guarantees the cylinders for 10 years.

I don't know which vendor Dennis is but $125 is the highest rebuild price I have seen so far.:confused:



I am very good at DIY things, having overhauled engines from top to bottom, rebuilt cameras, etc. My main concern is being able to find the various cylinders and find those that are leaking beyond the known problem in the top front pair.

Top Hydraulics | Rebuilt and Upgraded Convertible Top Cylinders, Pumps, Hydraulic Lines - Top Hydraulics, Inc Klaus Witte 90730 southview ln, florence, or 97439 rebuilt mine for $75.00 about 5 years ago, works fine still. 541 902 3214.

I have that problem now and there are repair kits and also a guy who will repair the cylinders for a fee. There are O-ring kits and cup seal kits. I don't like the O-ring kits sold on ebay. There are 11 cylinders on the 1998 SL500, 12 on other models. The first two to fail are over the windshield and leak onto the seats. I'm told this is just the start of a continuing set of failures over time.