FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
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Lower Hydraulic Cylinders, Removing and Installing

Lower hydraulic cylinders, removing and installing

Removing




Notes:
The convertible top must first be lifted out of the vehicle before removing the lower hydraulic cylinder
Before removing, use a felt tip pen to mark the position of brackets -5-.
To ease the removal of the convertible top frame, first remove and place the lock assemblies for the storage compartment lid in the storage compartment. Service and Repair

- Move convertible top into center position and mark position of lock assemblies with felt-tip pen before removing.




- Remove bolts -3- together with spacers -4-.
- Remove nuts -2- from brackets -5- from both sides together with spacers -1-. Spacers -7- and -8- remain in vehicle.

CAUTION! When installing, the spacers must be positioned on the vehicle in the same locations from which they were removed.

- Open all tie wraps in area of storage compartment on both sides.




- Cover top edge of partition panel (arrow) with adhesive tape -1- on both sides.
- Lift convertible top frame out of vehicle (two technicians required).

Note: Two additional assistants are required to guide the hydraulic cylinders from the rear when the convertible top is lifted out to prevent damage to the hydraulic hoses and electrical wiring.




- Place wooden beam (or similar support) across vehicle on top edges of partition panels as shown. Third technician required.

Note: The wooden beam must be long enough to support the rear of the brackets.

- Place rear of brackets -1- on wooden beam on both sides.
- Two technicians must hold convertible top horizontally while one or both lower hydraulic cylinders are removed or installed. Third technician required to remove or install hydraulic cylinders.




- Cut open tie wrap (arrows) on outside of bracket.

Note: The illustration shows the tie wrap on the inside.




- Pry off retaining clip -5-, pull pin -7- out of clevis -6- and push piston rod into hydraulic cylinder -1-.
- Pull retaining spring off pin at top and bottom and pull pin -2- out of universal joint -3- at top and bottom.
- Place lower hydraulic cylinder in storage compartment.

Note: Spread out plastic sheeting in storage compartment before opening hydraulic connections on cylinder.

- Unscrew union nuts from connections on cylinder.


Installing

Notes:
When installing the hydraulic cylinder, make sure that the universal joint is correctly positioned.
The universal joint is installed eccentrically in the bracket.
When properly installed, the longer part must face toward the top.




- Install new cylinder.
Union nut tightening torque: 28 Nm (21 ft lb).

CAUTION! Do not interchange supply and return hydraulic hoses.




- Secure corrugated hose to bracket with tie wrap.
- Continue installation in reverse order of removal.

CAUTION! When installing the convertible top frame, it is important to make sure that hydraulic hoses -1- and electrical wiring are not damaged by the edges of the opening in the storage compartment floor (arrow). Two technicians are required to guide the hydraulic cylinders in.

- Align brackets for convertible top frame according to markings made earlier and secure in position.
- Align lock units according to markings made earlier and secure in position.
- Check operation of convertible top and hydraulic fluid level. Refer to "Hydraulic System, Bleeding and Filling" Service and Repair
- Reinstall all other parts on vehicle.