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Leaking lift cylinder

Discussion in 'The ragtop shop' started by fishwater, May 4, 2020.

  1. fishwater

    fishwater Well-Known Member

    I have a lift cylinder that's leaking in my 71, at least I believe it's the cylinder & not the line, I still need to clean it up. What's the best way to take care of it, can the cylinder be rebuilt or do I need to replace it? I've seen repro cylinders but not sure on the quality, pretty sure I've read some negative comments on the repro's?
     
    fishwater, May 4, 2020
    #1
  2. RoadDawg

    RoadDawg Well-Known Member

    I was able to put new o-rings in mine, both on the rams and where the lines go in. No leaks now. Wasn't all that hard either.
     
    RoadDawg, May 5, 2020
    #2
  3. fishwater

    fishwater Well-Known Member

    How does the cylinder come apart? Does the top or bottom unscrew?
     
    fishwater, May 5, 2020
    #3
  4. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    It does not come apart. At least in a way that it can be put back together. believe I have a few used but still serviceable working in my box of parts and can send you one or there is a company that referbs these and pumps. I bought a complete kit for around 500.00 that had a new pump, lines and 2 cylinders + a bleeding kit that made priming the system real easy.
     
    Briz, May 6, 2020
    #4
    mrolds69 likes this.
  5. Houmark

    Houmark Well-Known Member

    All that for 500, then I wouldn't mess with fixing it..
     
    Houmark, May 6, 2020
    #5
    mrolds69 likes this.
  6. mrolds69

    mrolds69 "The Cure"

    It's funny, I've been keeping an eye on this thread. I've been around 'verts for a long time, my first car was a 65 GTO 'vert bought in 67. Back then, we really drove the cars every day, the tops went up and down a LOT. After I had that car a few years a cylinder started leaking. Back then, you would just go to the junkyard and get one. Anyways, I didn't think you could take them apart. Then when I saw that post last night from roaddawg, I almost fell out of my chair! I knew you could send them out, but why would you? My gs 'vert now has repro metal cylinders, I didn't do them. I did a pump, mounts, and the lines. My understanding is that some repro cylinders now have a plastic top. Be aware of that if you buy, that can't be a good thing. The whole vintage 'vert thing kind of sucks now, because you can't buy all really good quality stuff for them...like the tops. But the new pumps are better than the old ones, most repro cylinders and lines are good. I'd agree with Briz and Houmark, it's better to just buy the cylinders, lines, mounts, and pump. Be sure the cylinders are metal, be absolutely sure the lines are the correct length and not universal 75 foot lines for an "Eldo". Get a manual and be sure you have the right clips for the lines and route them right. I like Convertible Top Specialists better than Hydro Electric, but that's just my opinion.
     
    Last edited: May 6, 2020
    mrolds69, May 6, 2020
    #6
  7. fishwater

    fishwater Well-Known Member

    Fair enough guys, I appreciate all the insight, maybe I’ll just go for the whole shebang after all. Thanks!
     
    fishwater, May 6, 2020
    #7
  8. Daves69

    Daves69 Too many cars too work on

    Daves69, May 6, 2020
    #8
    67skylarkin, exchaoordo and mrolds69 like this.
  9. mrolds69

    mrolds69 "The Cure"

    That's a great price, Dave. I said I liked Convertible Top Specialists, I just looked at their site and that's not the place I bought my package. I have used them, too. It was like what Briz was saying maybe off ebay, cylinders, pump, a bleeder kit...the place was on the West Coast CA, I think.
     
    mrolds69, May 6, 2020
    #9
    BuickV8Mike likes this.
  10. esanford

    esanford Member

    @RoadDawg how were you able to get yours apart to replace the O rings? I too have a leaky cylinder in my 68 LeSabre, the seal around the top where the rod comes out.
     
    esanford, May 21, 2020
    #10
  11. Redmanf1

    Redmanf1 Gold Level Contributor

    Redmanf1, May 25, 2020
    #11
  12. RoadDawg

    RoadDawg Well-Known Member

    Sorry I haven't been on here in a while. Actually forgot that I posted here. I was able to pull the metal retaining ring out. It did take a while to get it out, but was able to without breaking them. I then found an o-ring that closely matched what was on the ram and replaced them. I just checked them and there is about 2 drops of fluid on top of each ram, but I haven't moved the top in probably 2 years. I probably need to get new ones, but at the time, I didn't have the budget for it, as it is a project that needs to be completed. I'm on the 11 year plan.
     
    RoadDawg, Jun 14, 2020
    #12
  13. exchaoordo

    exchaoordo Member

    Hi All, I know this is an old thread but I too had a leaking cylinder on my Buick Electra. FWIW, I ended up buying a pair at Convertible Cylinders Direct at it was $227 a pair.
     
    exchaoordo, Aug 5, 2021
    #13

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