Frequently Asked Questions
A: At Top Hydraulics, "core exchange" means receiving a rebuilt and upgraded part first, in exchange for your old one, once the job is finished. Here's how it works:
Core exchange is an expedited service where you can pay a slightly higher price for an immediate replacement part from our inventory.
Ordering a part with core exchange: When you order a a part from Top Hydraulics inventory, you'll pay an additional fee known as a core deposit. This deposit is held until you return your old part (the core).
With the expedited service, you receive a rebuilt part quickly without waiting for your own to be rebuilt, which speeds up your repair process significantly.
After installing the new part, you return your old, used part to Top Hydraulics.
Upon receiving and inspecting your returned core to confirm it's suitable for remanufacturing, Top Hydraulics refunds your core deposit.
If the returned core is damaged or unusable, you might not receive the full refund.
A: Instructions for Sending Hydraulic Cylinders to Top Hydraulics:
Drain the Hydraulic Fluid:
- Wrap the item in a shop cloth or paper towels.
- Manually pump the cylinder rod several times to remove the hydraulic fluid from the cylinder(s).
- Place the drained cylinder(s) into plastic bags and seal them well.
Packaging:
- Pack the cylinder(s) in a mailing box, ensuring there's enough padding to prevent movement or damage during transit.
Credit Card Payment:
- Select cylinders on the Top Hydraulics website, add them to your cart, and complete the checkout process.
- Include a copy of your payment receipt with the cylinders. Also, include your daytime phone number and shipping address if it differs from your billing address.
Check or Money Order:
- Enclose payment in a plastic or ziplock bag.
- Attach a note with your phone number and shipping address.
- Include $10 for domestic shipping and handling.
- Securely tape your package to ensure it remains intact during shipping.
Shipping:
- You can use any carrier you prefer. However, note that USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate typically delivers within 3 business days.
- Prepay your order either through the Top Hydraulics website or by including a check or money order with your package.
- Online Orders offer the advantage of receiving email updates on your order status including receiving, processing, shipping, tracking, and refund information. These updates are only available for orders placed through the website.
A: Top Hydraulics accepts only Visa, Mastercard, or Discover cards. American Express is not an option at this time.
- Browse our online store and choose the parts you need.
- Add these parts to your shopping cart.
- Go to the checkout by clicking on your cart, located in the upper right corner of the page.
- On the checkout page, select "Pay with Visa/Mastercard/Discover".
- Complete the payment details and confirm your order.
- You'll know your order is complete when you receive an "Order Confirmed" message with your order number.
- Return to Your Cart:
- If you can't complete the payment online, go back to your cart (look for the cart icon in the upper right corner).
- Choose "Pay by Check" if available.
- Call us during our business hours (8 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time) to provide your credit card details over the phone.
If You're a New Customer:
- When you proceed to checkout, enter your email address and create a password under the heading "First order? Create an account"
- First, enter your credit card's billing address.
- If you have a separate shipping address, click the box next to "Ship to a different address".
- Enter your shipping address, choose your shipping method and complete the order.
- If you need to change your address after registration, click on your account profile next to the shopping cart icon in the upper right.
- Navigate to "Addresses"
- Update your existing address, or create a new one.
- Alternatively, call one of our customer service representatives during our regular business hours for assistance.
- Wrap the cylinder in a shop cloth or paper towels.
- Manually pump the cylinder rod several times to remove the oil from the cylinder.
- Place the drained cylinder in plastic bags and seal them well.
- Alternatively, you can reuse the packing materials provided with your original shipment.
- Ensure there's enough padding in your mailing box to avoid movement or damage to the cylinder during transit.
- Include the Core Return Slip that was sent by Top Hydraulics, Inc. with your initial shipment.
A: We offer a 3-year warranty on all rebuilds unless otherwise specified. Here's what you need to know:
Shipping:
Customer agrees to package well, such that fluid will not soak into the outside of the package, or parts may get lost during transport, or cylinders get damaged inside the package. Top Hydraulics reserves the right to refuse parcels that arrive obviously damaged, or to return parcels that exhibit concealed damage after receipt. Customer agrees to reimburse Top Hydraulics for their actual shipping cost if a parcel needs to be returned for such reason.
Mechanical damage:
Cylinder shafts must be free of pits or scratches for successful rebuilds. Normally, such damage is incurred only during incorrect removal from the car, or upon rebuild attempts by customer or third parties. If any previous attempt has been made to rebuild the cylinders, any surfaces touched by seals must be free of scratches as well. In rare cases, cylinder shafts can exhibit rust (Mercedes W208, some older Saab, VW and low-volume European brands), and the cylinders cannot be rebuilt. Cylinders without quick disconnect at the cylinders (such as R170, R230, Porsche, some BMW) must be sent with the hydraulic lines attached and undamaged.
Subsequent damage and warranty:
The warranty expiration date is typically stamped or engraved on Top Hydraulics' rebuilds. Top Hydraulics' warranty is void if the cylinders get mechanically damaged other than by their intended use. Top Hydraulics is not responsible for labor charges or any consequential damages. In the extremely rare case of failure on rebuilds, Top Hydraulics' warranty covers only parts and is limited to rebuilding the products previously shipped by Top Hydraulics, or replacing them, or refunding the rebuild fee at Top Hydraulics' discretion.
A: Yes, you can. Below is a link to a .PDF file with detailed instructions for R129 SL-Class Convertibles.
R129 Manual Hardtop Locking Guide (.PDF)
- Mercedes Hydraulic Fluid (ZH-M): Available at your local dealer for approximately $20-$25 per quart. Mercedes Part Number 000 989 91 03.
- Ferdinand Bilstein (Febi) Power Steering Fluid 02615: This is the only other fluid approved by Mercedes-Benz for their convertible top systems. You can buy it online from RM European for about $11 per quart. Part number 02615. It's also referred to as FeBi Power Steering Fluid or Suspension Self-Leveling Unit Fluid.