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1966 Eldorado convertible top cylinder rebuild?

Started by Julien Abrahams, September 26, 2024, 12:18:24 PM

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Julien Abrahams

The hydraulic system of the convertible top from the Eldorado thaat I am working on is not in the best condition to say the least. I have disassembled the motor/pump and it was full of dried up brake fluid. Cleaned it all up.
The motor works fine, so I was thinking about just putting a seal kit in it and pray to the convertible gods that the pump works.
I want to replace the hoses from the pumo to the cylinders. My main question is wuith regard to the cylinders. I suspect that that are full of dried up brake fluid. Is there a way to clean them internally (brake cleaner?)?
Or is the only option to replace both cylinders? The probably have not had to work for the last 30 years or so. For fluid I wanted to use ATF, but for that to work the system needs to be completely cleaned of old brake fluid.
In the meantime the car is at the shop who is installing a new convertible top.
1951 Buick Eight special
1954 Cadillac series 62
1967 Cadillac Sedan De Ville HT
1969 Austin Healey Sprite
1979 Opel Kadett

klinebau

The hydraulic system for the convertible top in my '70 was filled with brake fluid.  When I refurbished it, I removed the pump, lines and cylinders.  The pump needed new grommets as the old ones were brittle and I replaced the o-ring for the reservoir while it was out.  I cleaned out the lines using compressed air.  For the cylinders, I compressed and extended them a few times to get the old fluid out.  I did not do any further cleaning and then filled it up with ATF.  This has been working great for the last several years.
1970 Cadillac Deville Convertible
Detroit, MI

Julien Abrahams

Thanks.
I will do that. I ordered a seal kit for the motor and will be replacing all the seals. Also ordered new hoses (which are clear so you can easily spot air in the system). I will try to fill up the cylinders with brake cleaner, en get as much of the old brake fluid out. THen fill the system with atf and bleed the air, and then see if the top will go up and down.
1951 Buick Eight special
1954 Cadillac series 62
1967 Cadillac Sedan De Ville HT
1969 Austin Healey Sprite
1979 Opel Kadett