Soft Top Hydraulics

[davidwilson]

I have an '03 CLK Cabrio - and last week the roof stopped halfway down, It went back up, so I guessed it was one of the (many!) microswitches. Turned out that one of the two main hydraulic rams had sprung a leak and the system had almost no fluid in the reservoir.
The bad news was that my friendly indy reported that a new ram would be £600. Gulp! Even worse news - there aren't any (not in the UK, Germany or - apparently - anywhere in Europe.)
There was good news: Chasing through the US (Benzworld) forum at https://www.benzworld.org/forums/ I found one of their sponsors - Top Hydraulice Inc in Oregon. (https://www.tophydraulics.com/) Their very slick website has full strip and refitting instructions for all sorts of cars (not just MB CLK, E and C class softtops) They do an exchange service ($200 plus deposit for my ram, or $1000 for the full set). Ordered online that evening and it arrived by Fedex 4 days later. (The end fittings look much better made than the silly swaged OE ones as well) Boss is called Klaus Witte - very helpful and gets rave reviews. From me too!
(This may need to be moved to the "garage recommendations" bit.....)

 

[Blobcat]

I have an '03 CLK Cabrio - and last week the roof stopped halfway down, It went back up, so I guessed it was one of the (many!) microswitches. Turned out that one of the two main hydraulic rams had sprung a leak and the system had almost no fluid in the reservoir.
The bad news was that my friendly indy reported that a new ram would be £600. Gulp! Even worse news - there aren't any (not in the UK, Germany or - apparently - anywhere in Europe.)
There was good news: Chasing through the US (Benzworld) forum at https://www.benzworld.org/forums/ I found one of their sponsors - Top Hydraulice Inc in Oregon. (https://www.tophydraulics.com/) Their very slick website has full strip and refitting instructions for all sorts of cars (not just MB CLK, E and C class softtops) They do an exchange service ($200 plus deposit for my ram, or $1000 for the full set). Ordered online that evening and it arrived by Fedex 4 days later. (The end fittings look much better made than the silly swaged OE ones as well) Boss is called Klaus Witte - very helpful and gets rave reviews. From me too!
(This may need to be moved to the "garage recommendations" bit.....)

Did you get hit with any import / customs costs?

 

[davidwilson]

No - they told me that they cover all that with FedEx in advance as part of the deal. Shipping was $50, so I guess there's an element of duty in the cost. Don't know how it would work with a high-value shipment like a $1000 complete set of rams though... they've also told me the commodity code to put on the return item (automotive parts for repair - minimal value) so that covers the return shipment. 3 year guarantee, too, I've just noticed.

 

[ajlsl600]

Grand find. There was a place that makes them in UK will try to remember who, where. . I had, and will have again a lathe and milling machine, and have previously made such things. Anyway Yr sorted now. We're there any import taxes?

 

[davidwilson]

Nope - no extra costs - see above.