Hello to all. I hope everyone is enjoying thier olds as much as me and my family this summer. I have bout 4000 miles on it this summer including a 2700 mile road trip in June.

My 71 Cutlass Convertible has a leaking top cylinder and my question is what it the best way to fix it.
Are they rebuildable? Mine doesnt look like it.
what is a good source for a new one. I looked at Year one and it is 200 bucks.

The top is down now and I can still drive it as much as before. I dont like to be a slave to the weather and worry about the chance of rain.

Thanks
Kevin R

 

Not repairable to my knowledge. Try Hydro-E - they are much more competative than Year one.

 

We just had our convertible top motor replaced with a new one as ours could not be rebuilt and we had to replace both cylinder lifts the lifts were $347 for the pair and the motor $275, freight was $17.60. There was still brake fluid in all the parts and we switched to transmission fluid. Took it for a test drive and the brakes went out coming home

 

kbgood: Sometimes you just can't win! Hard not to laugh on your troubles; hope you managed to get home safely. No brakes is no good!

 

The cylinders are not servicable. Convertible Service in CA sells new ones for $139. When you get a new one, take caution connecting the hoses to the cylinders. The threads in the cylinder are aluminum and you can easily strip them. The instructions call for seating the fitting by hand and then going an extra 1/4 turn. I had one that leaked a little so I tightened it up just a little more and it was fine.

 

If the hoses are original, by all means replace them, too. When they break, a big mess follows!

 

Check these guys out...

http://www.convertibletopguys.com/category/view/685

Scot

 

Got some from the parts place.... They seem to be doing ok....

 

Make sure that both cylinders have the same bore diameter . If they don't match one side will extend faster than the other and the top will misalign, been there done that. Best to order two at a time. Also be sure to use transmission fluid not brake fluid. Brake fluid is hygroscopic and will attract moisture and soon rust......Tedd

 

Agreed on the trans fluid but if he is only replacing the cylinders and the system already has brake fluid, then trans fluid cannot be added as it is not compatible with the brake fluid. Switching to trans fluid would involve a complete flush of the system to eliminate the brake fluid and then installing trans fluid.