1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
This is a follow-up to the above oil lealing issues issues in the top actuator.
It was the 4th July long weekend so no "professional" help was avialable and I wanted the car back in operation.
I decided to see what was causing the leak and dis-assembled the actuator piston. It is a simple pistion with an inlet at the bottom, and inlet at the top and a very substantial piston rod coming out the top. The gland which surrounds the rod at the top exit has two O-rings - one internal sealing the piston shaft and one external which seals the gland to the cylinder housing. The main piston has a fairly heavy-duty nylon piston which will work in both directions. The main piston body is a remarkably light composite plastic.
After taking it apart (need to remove the screw attaching the piston seal to the piston rod) and then slide the sealing gland off the piston rod.
The O-rings were obviously tired and I took them to the local hardware who matched the size from their 0-ring selection. (not very scientific- just visual matching).
Assembly was quite easy (only two important sealing points to prevent oil leak at the gland)
I used nylon plumbing tape around all screw connections. I was wondering whether hydraulic oil might attack the tape but so far so good
Installation in the top operating arms requires that the top be fully closed (so you can see the clevis connection to the piston). Make sure that the external hydraulic connectors face to the rear. I put them the other way first and found that both the hydraulic lines and the cylinder hydraulic fittings were in conflict with the body steel and had to reassemble this part. Cost me a hour !!
Learnings ....
1 This is a bit meesy but not a difficlt job.
2 You have to use the by-pass valve in order to move the soft-top frame without squirting hydrailc fluid all over yourself
3 Put the cylinder connections toward the back when reassembling
4 The cost of the O-rings was less that $4.00
5 I used Jack oil as it seems that it should be equivalent
I am leaving the seats out for a week so I can be sure the leak does not return. If it does, will post here and you can ignore all of the above !!
posted by 173.206.89...
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