CrossfireForum - The Chrysler Crossfire and SRT6 Resource

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-   -   2005 roadster top hydraulics (https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum/crossfire-roadster/86811-2005-roadster-top-hydraulics.html)

ZERACER 04-16-2024 09:28 AM

Re: 2005 roadster top hydraulics
 
The only way the fluid would be low is if it leaked out.

Oldschool 04-16-2024 09:43 AM

Re: 2005 roadster top hydraulics
 

Originally Posted by andy2m (Post 988671)
I got my 2005 xfire with 50k miles a couple years ago and the top did not work. The prior owner said the seals were leaking and he did not want to fix them. He was right, the top does not work but there is no leaking, presumably because there is not enough fluid left to leak. In any case, I did not have time to deal fix it but I did research the issue here in the forum and watched the Top Hydraulics videos. I still need to convince myself the prior owner was correct about the issue being leaky seals but it seems likely he was right and I will have to replace all the cylinders. Can you tell me how much time you spent doing yours? That might help me decide when to take it on. Thanks!

I took my good old time and it took maybe 4 hours to remove the seven cylinders. Mark the sensors as you remove them (say "top" and "bottom" ) with blue tape or the like. All and all it is not a hard task and when it works it will make you smile. I ended up sending the pump in and should have it back by this Friday.

andy2m 04-16-2024 11:41 AM

Re: 2005 roadster top hydraulics
 
Thanks - that's a bit better than I had guessed! About the same to install the rebuilt ones?

Oldschool 04-16-2024 03:55 PM

Re: 2005 roadster top hydraulics
 
A lot less for the install as you have "broken the ice".
AGAIN .. mark those sensors they may fool you later!

nickwe21 04-20-2024 11:50 AM

Re: 2005 roadster top hydraulics
 

Originally Posted by pizzaguy (Post 988643)
No. You can't cycle the top with the tank low or empty.

You suck out all the fluid you can from the tank, then refill it.
Cycle the top a few times.
Then suck out the tank a second time and refill it.

That's about the best you can do. You will get 90% or more between the two evacuations. You can't get 100% because there is always a small amount in the lines.

Thank you for all the great tips on the forum over the years!! Much appreciated! And glad the Original Poster got it to work!

Train 05-09-2024 04:23 PM

Re: 2005 roadster top hydraulics
 

Originally Posted by Oldschool (Post 986877)
So it is happening ......... my convertible hydraulic system is L E A K I N G. The solution I am finding is through a company called "Top Hydraulics" https://www.tophydraulics.com/

Replacing the complete system, including the pump, will set me back $1,600.00 The how-to videos they provide are most excellent. Their spiel is very good. Would be great to find a coupon!

I have a set of steps to build for my daughter first and then a cruise. When I return, I will tackle the removal and send the old parts off to avoid the core charge.

Any suggestions from those of you that have replaced this system yourself would be greatly appreciated.

Dont let Klaus scare you into replacing the entire system

JSK 05-10-2024 02:47 PM

Re: 2005 roadster top hydraulics
 

Originally Posted by Train (Post 989450)
Dont let Klaus scare you into replacing the entire system

I wouldn’t include the pump if it is working fine and I wouldn’t do the cylinders piece meal. The seals are all the same age.

nickwe21 05-22-2024 01:35 PM

Re: 2005 roadster top hydraulics
 

Originally Posted by JSK (Post 989474)
I wouldn’t include the pump if it is working fine and I wouldn’t do the cylinders piece meal. The seals are all the same age.

I am not sure if I agree with the cylinder assessment. Seems like the two main cylinders are the ones most people find leaking. Perhaps because they carry the heaviest load. I want to say in all these years and on countess facebook forums it seems to be those two primarily and the other ones are rarely seen leaking. I'd just repair what's broken and in the off-chance once of the other ones starts leaking, get those done then but to each it's own.

I have talked to every owner I know who had the main lifts repaired and not one has had issues with one of the others. Not saying they are bullet proof but why spend the money when it might not be necessary.

JSK 05-23-2024 01:43 PM

Re: 2005 roadster top hydraulics
 
Good points.

pizzaguy 05-23-2024 03:46 PM

Re: 2005 roadster top hydraulics
 

Originally Posted by Train (Post 989450)
Dont let Klaus scare you into replacing the entire system

I'm wondering if Klaus said that, he's usually really reasonable. BUT if you want him to GUARANTEE the outcome, I can see him telling you to rebuild it all - how can he warranty something he's not seen?

I keep asking myself what makes cylinders leak. My SE has only 70,000 miles on it. The Graphite had 116,000. I've not had a leak yet. I do exercise my top every three weeks, year around. Maybe that's it.
But they also say to never operate the top at low temperatures (I think they said 32 or 38F degrees) and I obey that rule as well.

I don't WANT a leak, just wondering why I've not had one so far. I've sure had a lot of other common issues, both with the top and with the car in general.

JSK 05-24-2024 01:59 AM

Re: 2005 roadster top hydraulics
 
I have 2 roadsters, the limited has spent its life in southern AZ and the SRT has spent the last five years here. It spent the rest of its life in WA and northern AZ. The limited cylinders started leaking a couple years ago and I had Klaus rebuild them but the SRT doesn’t seem to leak at all. Perhaps extreme heat has an effect.

nickwe21 05-24-2024 04:13 PM

Re: 2005 roadster top hydraulics
 

Originally Posted by pizzaguy (Post 989808)
I'm wondering if Klaus said that, he's usually really reasonable. BUT if you want him to GUARANTEE the outcome, I can see him telling you to rebuild it all - how can he warranty something he's not seen?

I keep asking myself what makes cylinders leak. My SE has only 70,000 miles on it. The Graphite had 116,000. I've not had a leak yet. I do exercise my top every three weeks, year around. Maybe that's it.
But they also say to never operate the top at low temperatures (I think they said 32 or 38F degrees) and I obey that rule as well.

I don't WANT a leak, just wondering why I've not had one so far. I've sure had a lot of other common issues, both with the top and with the car in general.

I have also wondered what makes the cylinders leak. I purchased a SRT6 Roadster two years ago with 25K miles in factory shape from a gentleman who only drove it in the summer and rarely at that. He moved from Colorado to Florida. I now have 40K miles on it and the two main lift cylinders started leaking just now. The car has only been in Florida for the last two and a half years.

Now, one could say maybe he didn't cycle the top enough during the winter months in Colorado? But I actually asked a hydraulic cabriolet shop in Sarasota the same question recently. They are strong believers that hydraulic fluids should be replaced every 10-15 years. They believe that sediments and pollutants will settle in the fluid causing the o-rings in the cylinders to break. I don't know if that is the only reason but it sure sounds plausible. Obviously anytime you deal with o-rings the Florida heat probably isn't kind to them either. Something to think about and one reason I have asked on here if the fluid should be replaced....I think that might be my weekend project.

M60A3Driver 05-25-2024 01:36 PM

Re: 2005 roadster top hydraulics
 

Originally Posted by nickwe21 (Post 989866)
I have also wondered what makes the cylinders leak. I purchased a SRT6 Roadster two years ago with 25K miles in factory shape from a gentleman who only drove it in the summer and rarely at that. He moved from Colorado to Florida. I now have 40K miles on it and the two main lift cylinders started leaking just now. The car has only been in Florida for the last two and a half years.

Now, one could say maybe he didn't cycle the top enough during the winter months in Colorado? But I actually asked a hydraulic cabriolet shop in Sarasota the same question recently. They are strong believers that hydraulic fluids should be replaced every 10-15 years. They believe that sediments and pollutants will settle in the fluid causing the o-rings in the cylinders to break. I don't know if that is the only reason but it sure sounds plausible. Obviously anytime you deal with o-rings the Florida heat probably isn't kind to them either. Something to think about and one reason I have asked on here if the fluid should be replaced....I think that might be my weekend project.

Thanks nickwe21, I know what I'm going to be doing this winter!

Oldschool 05-25-2024 03:37 PM

Re: 2005 roadster top hydraulics
 

Originally Posted by nickwe21 (Post 989866)
I have also wondered what makes the cylinders leak. I purchased a SRT6 Roadster two years ago with 25K miles in factory shape from a gentleman who only drove it in the summer and rarely at that. He moved from Colorado to Florida. I now have 40K miles on it and the two main lift cylinders started leaking just now. The car has only been in Florida for the last two and a half years.

Now, one could say maybe he didn't cycle the top enough during the winter months in Colorado? But I actually asked a hydraulic cabriolet shop in Sarasota the same question recently. They are strong believers that hydraulic fluids should be replaced every 10-15 years. They believe that sediments and pollutants will settle in the fluid causing the o-rings in the cylinders to break. I don't know if that is the only reason but it sure sounds plausible. Obviously anytime you deal with o-rings the Florida heat probably isn't kind to them either. Something to think about and one reason I have asked on here if the fluid should be replaced....I think that might be my weekend project.

I can tell you this: I changed out all my hydraulics and then found my pump was leaking. I hoped it was my fill plug but after an exhaustive investigation, it was the pump. I replaced it and found in the old pump black stuff on the bottom of the reservoir. For this reason; I agree that the fluid should be changed.

Iskender 07-23-2024 07:10 AM

Re: 2005 roadster top hydraulics
 
Dear Forum members,

I have recently observed that my hydraulic system is leaking as oil level in tank is reduced. First I thought that the problem was in hydraulic lines - I have replaced o-rings located here:

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cro...09bc484c5e.jpg
No luck - the piston still was leaking. After I do realize that I have leakage from this location:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cro...776135d36e.jpg

Now I need to replace the o-ring on the bottom cap of the cylinder. Can you please help me to understand how to disassemble the bottom cap from piston housing - simply apply the pulling strength or there is some secret?

P.S.: leakage observed only in main drive cylinder 05142639AA (left side):

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cro...d1ce3aec05.jpg

M60A3Driver 07-24-2024 01:00 AM

Re: 2005 roadster top hydraulics
 
If it were me I would pull both lift cylinders out and send them to Tops Hydraulics.
There is a video on you tube somewhere on how to disassemble the cylinders. I don't remember if it was a Crossfire or a Mercedes in the video.

ZERACER 07-24-2024 08:54 AM

Re: 2005 roadster top hydraulics
 
I believe he is in Azerbaijan.

pizzaguy 07-24-2024 11:43 AM

Re: 2005 roadster top hydraulics
 

Originally Posted by Iskender (Post 991478)
Dear Forum members,

Now I need to replace the o-ring on the bottom cap of the cylinder. Can you please help me to understand how to disassemble the bottom cap from piston housing - simply apply the pulling strength or there is some secret?

You are trying to do something that MOST of us have NEVER tried to do. My compliments to you, but I sure cant help.
I am not brave or skilled enough to attempt such a repair.

Iskender 08-13-2024 01:55 AM

Re: 2005 roadster top hydraulics
 
What have I done so far:

1. drill and tap hole to try to pull the back plug out:


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cro...bf430abfc.jpeg

unfortunately no success - plug seems to be stuck there
2. I have cut out the trim as follow:

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cro...c1b9c5a7a.jpeg
now the plug has very small rotation (about 1-2degc) but I unable to pull it out. I am afraid to apply to much tension cause the housing seems to be made from more soft aluminium comparing to plug itself. Is "stack" due to rubber plug?





ZERACER 08-13-2024 03:02 PM

Re: 2005 roadster top hydraulics
 
I believe you have ruined it.


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