Re: [Chrysler300] Convertible top motors

["Ron Waters" <ronbo97@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

John -

Every upholstery shop I've ever spoken to has said that when not in use, the 
convertible top should remain in the up position. Wouldn't a little grease 
on the piston rod, which is chrome plated when new to keep the steel from 
rusting, have the effect of sealing the metal from moisture ? I've owned one 
of my convertibles (1970 Olds) for over 25 years. The car mostly sits in a 
garage from November until May with its top up here in the humid northeast. 
The top still goes up and down as it did when I bought the car in 1986.

Ron

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <retromobilia@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <RWestra@xxxxxxx>
Cc: <Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; <mark6268@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2012 2:45 PM
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] Convertible top motors


> Just a point I learned a number of years ago about convertible top 
> cylinders and motors. When the top stays up for long periods the metal 
> operating cylinder is exposed to the air (with top down the ram is couched 
> in the cylinder). Being exposed the steel plunger / ram gets oxidation 
> (rust) and when retracted into the cylinder will most of the time cut or 
> score the seal which retains the Hydraulic fluid so it leaks and requires 
> replacement. As you know hydraulic fluid is hydroscopic and will absorb 
> moisture when air gets into the system or through condensation.
> What I used to do when I had convertibles was first to keep the top down 
> most of the time (thus avoiding the opportunity for rust to form on the 
> ram). Second (when I wanted it up to get creases out of the top) I would 
> use and oil saturated rag to wipe down the ram/piston. And at least once I 
> covered the ram with plastic drop cloth which stuck to the ram after 
> oiling and it was very protected.
> The reason I developed this was because I was changing one or both the 
> rams every year (in humid south Louisiana)
> Good luck, I hope this helps someone.
> JJ
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: RWestra@xxxxxxx
> To: mark6268@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Cc: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2012 8:10:17 AM
> Subject: [Chrysler300] Convertible top motors
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Ron,
>
> The kit sounds like a very reasonable price. I bought hoses for my H a
> couple of years ago and paid about $100 for both hoses and fittings. As an
> alternative you might consider a used top motor and hoses. I don't know if
> you have an LKQ salvage yard in your area. If you do you can go in and 
> remove
> any part you want and pay a very reasonable price for it.
>
> The Chrysler convertable motor packages are interchangable for a large
> number of years. I took the motor and hoses out of a 1995 LeBaron 
> convertible.
> Both the motor/pump and the hoses were in very good shape. I paid $20 for
> both. I installed the motor in my H ( I did not use the hoses since they 
> had
> been replaced a year ago) and it works very well. It may be slightly
> slower that the top movement on my L but it is very acceptable. I don't 
> know if
> the pump capacity could be slightly less. The mounting locations and the
> fittings are identical. The electrical connection is different so I had to
> use the connector from the original motor.
>
> Just another alternative that would save some work and a lot of money.
>
>
> Rolland Westra
>
> Rockford, IL
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
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>
>



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