[Wk Trk]

With the assistance of @Dicktator s instruction guide, I removed the eight hydraulic cylinders for the top last weekend and sent them off to Cabriolet Hydraulics to be rebuilt (main cylinder on the passenger side was leaking at the bottom). Pneumatic cylinders were replaced by the previous owner last year - apparently sold the truck to avoid the inevitable. Rebuilt cylinders should arrive today.

Searched the site for instructions on the appropriate steps to follow upon reinstallation to get the dry cylinders recharged, air bled out and the top back into operation. Was unsuccessful in my search. Is there an instruction guide for reinstall or could someone help me with the process?

Thanks in advance for any assistance. Looking forward to going topless again!

 

[Pat LeBlanc]

Once you refill the hydraulic reservoir, you may need to manually move the tonneau cover and flapper several times to move the hydraulic fluid into the cylinders. Do this with the engine running so that the solenoid valves stay open and allow fluid to move. No need to bleed air from the system. Hope this helps.

Pat

 

[Wk Trk]

Thanks, Pat.

 

[carlbush]

Once you refill the hydraulic reservoir, you may need to manually move the tonneau cover and flapper several times to move the hydraulic fluid into the cylinders. Do this with the engine running so that the solenoid valves stay open and allow fluid to move. No need to bleed air from the system. Hope this helps.

Pat

Wk Trk, Manually working the tonneau and flapper is a two-person job and be VERY careful when doing so (especially the flapper), I have seen 1 instance (and recently read of a second on this forum) of the nuts that attach the hinge to the flapper pull out of the flapper fiberglass. Not a happy way to end a tough day of installing hydraulic cylinders. Re-attaching those nuts is a harder job than installing the cylinders!

Roswell is 6 hours from my place ... wish I were closer. I have removed/installed 6 sets of cylinders for other forum members. Installation is less troublesome than removal, but there are a couple of things you can (must) do to make the job go a bit easier. Let me know if you want to chat about a few particulars.

Good luck!

 

[speedpc]

Sounds to me like WkTrk should drive the six hours to CARLBUSH (can't think of a better reason to drive six hours with top up and six hours back with top down) and get some expert help, it's hard enough working in that top storage hole when you know what you are doing and it's almost impossible when you don't know what you are doing...just my skinned knuckles opinion...Speedpc

 

[sprintcr]

can we just fix one cylinder at a time just one is bad can any help me with this

 

[wizzr]

can we just fix one cylinder at a time just one is bad can any help me with this

Sure you can do one at a time. But it's kinda like only cooking one side of your steak. Bottom line... always do these in pairs at a minimum. And it's best to do all of them at the same time if you can.

 

[Guzzi Guy]

Wk Trk, Manually working the tonneau and flapper is a two-person job and be VERY careful when doing so (especially the flapper), I have seen 1 instance (and recently read of a second on this forum) of the nuts that attach the hinge to the flapper pull out of the flapper fiberglass. Not a happy way to end a tough day of installing hydraulic cylinders. Re-attaching those nuts is a harder job than installing the cylinders!

Roswell is 6 hours from my place ... wish I were closer. I have removed/installed 6 sets of cylinders for other forum members. Installation is less troublesome than removal, but there are a couple of things you can (must) do to make the job go a bit easier. Let me know if you want to chat about a few particulars.

Good luck!

Carl, I for one want to thank you for offering your time to help out a fellow fanatic with his top issue. It is a very generous offer and one I would certainly appreciate. Your experience is invaluable!

Dave

 

[BlueStreak]

can we just fix one cylinder at a time just one is bad can any help me with this

Sure you can, but as Dicktator has stated in earlier posts, it is like rebuilding an engine one cylinder at a time. Why do all the hard work of taking it apart and putting it together over and over?

 

[jackatg450]

Don't even consider.........

I saw your Roof Struts were changed, but for everyone else, don't even consider changing the main lift cylinders without changing the pneumatic Roof Struts. Each Roof Strut when operating properly takes 160 lbs of load (360 lbs total) off the hydraulic system when lifting the top and supports it when lowering. If the pneumatic Roof Struts are faulty (tired from 14 years of use) as the top is almost down it will drop the foot or so creating a large hydraulic pressure surge in the system blowing out the next weakest cylinder. Get them from Simple-Engineering "LST Roof Struts" https://shop.simple-engineering.com/category.sc?categoryId=8

Jack

 

[Dicktator]

Everyone have giving you good advise!

Just go slow, don't force anything, if it comes apart, it goes back together.

Just read SSR HOW TO LIBARAY backward.

https://onedrive.live.com/?id=3EF39D9F5ADCE5E5!853&cid=3EF39D9F5ADCE5E5


Dicktator

 

[Silver Bullett]

I have an 04 with a leaking cylinder. Are there any fanatics in Texas that has replaced theirs that could help me get mine fixed. I would be more than glad to help if I can and also willing to pay you for your time.
Fall is just around the corner and I want my top down for cruising.

Thank you for your response on here or on a PM

Silver Bullett

 

[Wk Trk]

Once you refill the hydraulic reservoir, you may need to manually move the tonneau cover and flapper several times to move the hydraulic fluid into the cylinders. Do this with the engine running so that the solenoid valves stay open and allow fluid to move. No need to bleed air from the system. Hope this helps.

Pat

Wk Trk, Manually working the tonneau and flapper is a two-person job and be VERY careful when doing so (especially the flapper), I have seen 1 instance (and recently read of a second on this forum) of the nuts that attach the hinge to the flapper pull out of the flapper fiberglass. Not a happy way to end a tough day of installing hydraulic cylinders. Re-attaching those nuts is a harder job than installing the cylinders!

Roswell is 6 hours from my place ... wish I were closer. I have removed/installed 6 sets of cylinders for other forum members. Installation is less troublesome than removal, but there are a couple of things you can (must) do to make the job go a bit easier. Let me know if you want to chat about a few particulars.

Good luck!

Carl, I wish I could make the trip to Atlantic Beach, but definitely appreciate your insights and offer to chat. I will PM you to coordinate a good time for us to connect. The cylinders did not arrive yesterday, so maybe I will have them tomorrow. Dan

 

[carlbush]

Carl, I wish I could make the trip to Atlantic Beach, but definitely appreciate your insights and offer to chat. I will PM you to coordinate a good time for us to connect. The cylinders did not arrive yesterday, so maybe I will have them tomorrow. Dan

Dan, responded to your PM. I'm available to chat.

Attached pic is of the flapper nuts that pulled from the flapper cover. Not a lot of shoulder on those bolts and only 4 of them hold the flapper to the hinges. Manually opening the flapper puts a LOT of stress on those little guys!

Cheers, Carl

 

[Dicktator]

Wk Trk, sorry got to thinking about install of rebuilt cylinders.

Re: Hydraulic Cylinder Installation

After you get all the cylinders installed and the reservoir filled you must get oil back into cylinders and hoses, of course.

Loosen reservoir bolt carefully, PLASTIC 14 YEARS OLD, fill with CHF-11S Oil, (Advance/AutoZone) to GREEN dot on Reservoir. Use Mustard/Ketchup plastic squeeze bottle to put in hydraulic oil.

Easiest way with two people "pump" slowly roof cover and flipper up and down, even move roof manually into roof compartment, careful HEAVY.

At the same time run pump from "button" every few minutes until pump/cylinders have oil. Self purging pump. Check reservoir and refill to GREEN DOT as needed. Just hand tighten reservoir bolt.

DO NOT tighten reservoir bolt until ALL cylinders and pump are running. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN/PLASTIC!!

In about a week, check oil again, it may be low, until ALL air is out, in fact pump may not move roof sometimes until air is out, not to worry. Can't hurt pump.

Go to SSR How to Library for type oil, etc.

https://onedrive.live.com/?id=3EF39D9F5ADCE5E5!853&cid=3EF39D9F5ADCE5E5

Dicktator

 

[Wk Trk]

Success! Got the rebuilt cylinders installed over the course of two evenings after work and the top is operational! Smooth as silk and settles quietly into the stowed position. Thanks to @carlbush for taking the time to talk me through the reinstallation process and @Dicktator for his insights via PM. Doing it without an experienced assistant present was a bit nerve racking, but now I would be glad to help anyone who finds themselves in need of a cylinder replacement. Great to have wind in my hair again!

 

[carlbush]

Success! Got the rebuilt cylinders installed over the course of two evenings after work and the top is operational! Smooth as silk and settles quietly into the stowed position. Thanks to @carlbush for taking the time to talk me through the reinstallation process and @Dicktator for his insights via PM. Doing it without an experienced assistant present was a bit nerve racking, but now I would be glad to help anyone who finds themselves in need of a cylinder replacement. Great to have wind in my hair again!

CONGRATS Dan! It's a great feeling (I know!) when it finally goes up and down on its own! Don't forget to recheck the fluid level after a day or two (just halt the opening cycle when the tonneau is open) and to ensure no follow-on leaks! I'M HAPPY FOR YA!
:banana

Cheers,

 

[Boyd]

I'm new to this forum - trying to find someone to talk to about SSR. I have been interested in a SSR since they first came out. I am in St. Johns FL. Any opportunity to talk would be greatly appreciated. The system will not allow me to private message as I have not had enough posts.
Thank you!
Boyd

 

[TheXCepsion]

Hello Boyd, welcome too the Forum. I am sure there will be more than enough People too talk with You about the SSR. We are all proud of our Rs and are always up for sharing things about them with others. You can get your posts numbers up by welcoming New Members as they arrive onsite, and in the process maybe make some New Friends as well. Do You own an R or are You contemplating the adoption of one into your family?

 

[carlbush]

I'm new to this forum - trying to find someone to talk to about SSR. I have been interested in a SSR since they first came out. I am in St. Johns FL. Any opportunity to talk would be greatly appreciated. The system will not allow me to private message as I have not had enough posts.
Thank you!
Boyd

Boyd,

I am in Atlantic Beach, FL. not far from St. Johns. There is also an SSR Fanatic who lives in Ponte Vedra (but I'll let him make his own acquaintance). I'm happy to chat with you and provide the "good, bad, and ugly" on the SSR so you are equipped to do your own inspection when the time comes. My email is: [email protected]

Cheers, Carl