Convertible top Lift cylinder...HELP!! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Jonesm24 · 04-18-2017, 06:31 AM

I just can't win with this car. Iv had it just over a year and have had 2 tops installed, 5th bow replaced, and a lot of time fixing what "professional" installers didn't take the time to do properly. I have been looking forward to this summer and attending car shows. I have put countless hours into modifying this car and making it my own. I'm just really disappointed and almost feel like I should give up on this vert and look into getting a coupe..... So here's my new problem with this top. I noticed a small amount of an oily fluid leaking just ahead of the rear wheels on the drivers side. After some checking around and having my son cycle the button for the top, I discover the lift cylinder arm is spitting oil out where the rod goes up and down as it's cycled. I looked and looked online and on this forum and cannot find anything related to replacing one of the lift cylinders for the top. Does anyone have any suggestions? I found the part needed and it goes for anywhere from $150-$200. But I have no ideal how to get at it. I'm out of warranty but have less than 33,000 miles on her. Are there any work procedures out there for this? What kind of oil is used and how do I refill it if I can get the cylinder fixed? I truly do love this car but I'm getting tired of getting kicked in the nuts!

Jonesm24 · 04-18-2017, 12:19 PM

I can't be the only vert owner to have this problem... I have gotten a couple quotes to swap the arm and it's anywhere from $200-$300 labor. Any chance of someone having a DIY for this?

Jonesm24 · 04-19-2017, 10:03 AM

Well...... I guess I'm on my own then.

samman11 · 04-19-2017, 11:08 AM

Hi there. I had my motor on the top go as well. Rough sounding and then just shit the bed and would not raise up. However, I was fortunate and purchased the extended warranty when I bought my Camaro used. I just went to the dealer and paid $100 out of pocket for a new lift motor. I believe the full cost was about $800.

Baba · 04-20-2017, 07:39 AM

The Camaro convertible originally comes with a large Allen wrench as standard equipment in the event the pump fails and you need to raise the top. VERY IMPORTANT tool if the cylinder ever craps out. Check with your dealer if you don't have it. You should have one!

Jonesm24 · 04-20-2017, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baba

The Camaro convertible originally comes with a large Allen wrench as standard equipment in the event the pump fails and you need to raise the top. VERY IMPORTANT tool if the cylinder ever craps out. Check with your dealer if you don't have it. You should have one!

The pump is fine, its the hydraulic lifting arm that has a bad seal that leaking when the motor is actuated and pushing fluid. I'm aware of the Allen wrench though, I will be using it when I do the repair.

Jonesm24 · 04-20-2017, 08:08 AM

Since it seems that I'm the first to have this problem or at least the first to inquire about it, I went ahead and took out all the interior in the rear. I found what's involved to repair and refill the oil reservoir. The GM part number for the left side "drivers side" lift cylinder is 92241518, passenger side cylinder part number is 92241519. I still have not found anything that states the type of fluid the system uses, but I'll be calling the dealership today. Here's some pics.

samman11 · 04-20-2017, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonesm24

The pump is fine, its the hydraulic lifting arm that has a bad seal that leaking when the motor is actuated and pushing fluid. I'm aware of the Allen wrench though, I will be using it when I do the repair.

Where is the Allen wrench located? It would be nice to know just in case.

GodWentPunk · 04-20-2017, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samman11

Where is the Allen wrench located? It would be nice to know just in case.

I didn't know about the wrench or how to manually lower the top.

joe...

Jonesm24 · 04-20-2017, 01:11 PM

Mine was in my glovebox. Directions were in the owners manual.

Jonesm24 · 04-20-2017, 02:30 PM

Part number for fluid is 88901975. It's a synthetic electro/ hydraulic fluid. When I receive the parts I ordered and install them, I will put together some pics and directions. I have received so much info here, so I'll try to pass along something that may help someone else.

theragtopguy · 04-20-2017, 05:12 PM

That would be very cool. Thanks and good luck!!

Jonesm24 · 05-16-2017, 10:05 PM

Ok, well i never did take any pics. But it's self explanatory. I did replace both cylinders and I did refill the resivoir with the mentioned oil. You need to strip the rear interior to get to the cylinders and to fill the resivoir I used a rubber hose to attach to the can and to reach to the tank. I installed both cylinders while top was up, then retracted top and refilled resivoir tank. Then cycled a few times and all is well so far. Just make sure you fill about a 1/4" above the fill line when refilling due to oil needing to be replaced in cylinder from being retracted. Good lucks folks! Sorry I didn't take pics.

mactube · 06-19-2019, 10:07 PM

I have the same problem, the passenger side cylinder arm is bad, thats why the top opens and closes uneven and one side is dragging ( slower)

Thanks for sharing the pictures @Jonesm24!

Where you successful in replacing the cylinder and can you recommend doing it yourself, as I have quotes from 300 to 500 bucks. I looks like the cylinder, that I got form GM Direct doesn't have a plug/import for a hose from the hydraulic pump/motor is that correct ?

04-18-2017, 06:31 AM	#1
Jonesm24 Drives: 2012 2SS Victory Red convertible Join Date: May 2016 Location: Michigan Posts: 260	Convertible top Lift cylinder...HELP!! I just can't win with this car. Iv had it just over a year and have had 2 tops installed, 5th bow replaced, and a lot of time fixing what "professional" installers didn't take the time to do properly. I have been looking forward to this summer and attending car shows. I have put countless hours into modifying this car and making it my own. I'm just really disappointed and almost feel like I should give up on this vert and look into getting a coupe..... So here's my new problem with this top. I noticed a small amount of an oily fluid leaking just ahead of the rear wheels on the drivers side. After some checking around and having my son cycle the button for the top, I discover the lift cylinder arm is spitting oil out where the rod goes up and down as it's cycled. I looked and looked online and on this forum and cannot find anything related to replacing one of the lift cylinders for the top. Does anyone have any suggestions? I found the part needed and it goes for anywhere from $150-$200. But I have no ideal how to get at it. I'm out of warranty but have less than 33,000 miles on her. Are there any work procedures out there for this? What kind of oil is used and how do I refill it if I can get the cylinder fixed? I truly do love this car but I'm getting tired of getting kicked in the nuts! Attached Images Last edited by Jonesm24; 04-18-2017 at 07:09 AM.

04-20-2017, 07:39 AM	#5
Baba Drives: 2011 Camaro 2LT RS Convertible Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: USAREUR, CONUS/DOD-A, VA Posts: 1,745	The Camaro convertible originally comes with a large Allen wrench as standard equipment in the event the pump fails and you need to raise the top. VERY IMPORTANT tool if the cylinder ever craps out. Check with your dealer if you don't have it. You should have one! __________________ 2011 Camaro 2LT RS Convertible Summit White Black Leather 3 Pedals Build Date: 06/27/2011 Purchased: 07/30/2011 Title Received: 08/15/2011 1984 Camaro (3rd Gen.): Traded: 1987 "Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss."

04-20-2017, 08:08 AM	#7
Jonesm24 Drives: 2012 2SS Victory Red convertible Join Date: May 2016 Location: Michigan Posts: 260	Since it seems that I'm the first to have this problem or at least the first to inquire about it, I went ahead and took out all the interior in the rear. I found what's involved to repair and refill the oil reservoir. The GM part number for the left side "drivers side" lift cylinder is 92241518, passenger side cylinder part number is 92241519. I still have not found anything that states the type of fluid the system uses, but I'll be calling the dealership today. Here's some pics. Attached Images

04-20-2017, 05:12 PM	#12
theragtopguy Lifetime Philly Fan Drives: 2015 Spring Edition 2SS M-6 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: South Central Florida Posts: 1,862 View My Garage	That would be very cool. Thanks and good luck!! __________________ 2015 Green Flash, Delivered 4/10/15 CAI, NPP Exhaust, Short-throw shifter BBK LT HEADERS 1 7/8” Tune by DynoSteve via SCTx4 Tuner One of 82 GF Ragtops built in '15 out of 811 Total [/SIZE]

04-18-2017, 12:19 PM	#2
Jonesm24 Drives: 2012 2SS Victory Red convertible Join Date: May 2016 Location: Michigan Posts: 260	I can't be the only vert owner to have this problem... I have gotten a couple quotes to swap the arm and it's anywhere from $200-$300 labor. Any chance of someone having a DIY for this?

04-19-2017, 10:03 AM	#3
Jonesm24 Drives: 2012 2SS Victory Red convertible Join Date: May 2016 Location: Michigan Posts: 260	Well...... I guess I'm on my own then.

04-19-2017, 11:08 AM	#4
samman11 Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Convertible Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 671	Hi there. I had my motor on the top go as well. Rough sounding and then just shit the bed and would not raise up. However, I was fortunate and purchased the extended warranty when I bought my Camaro used. I just went to the dealer and paid $100 out of pocket for a new lift motor. I believe the full cost was about $800.

04-20-2017, 01:11 PM	#10
Jonesm24 Drives: 2012 2SS Victory Red convertible Join Date: May 2016 Location: Michigan Posts: 260	Mine was in my glovebox. Directions were in the owners manual.

04-20-2017, 02:30 PM	#11
Jonesm24 Drives: 2012 2SS Victory Red convertible Join Date: May 2016 Location: Michigan Posts: 260	Part number for fluid is 88901975. It's a synthetic electro/ hydraulic fluid. When I receive the parts I ordered and install them, I will put together some pics and directions. I have received so much info here, so I'll try to pass along something that may help someone else.

05-16-2017, 10:05 PM	#13
Jonesm24 Drives: 2012 2SS Victory Red convertible Join Date: May 2016 Location: Michigan Posts: 260	Ok, well i never did take any pics. But it's self explanatory. I did replace both cylinders and I did refill the resivoir with the mentioned oil. You need to strip the rear interior to get to the cylinders and to fill the resivoir I used a rubber hose to attach to the can and to reach to the tank. I installed both cylinders while top was up, then retracted top and refilled resivoir tank. Then cycled a few times and all is well so far. Just make sure you fill about a 1/4" above the fill line when refilling due to oil needing to be replaced in cylinder from being retracted. Good lucks folks! Sorry I didn't take pics.

06-19-2019, 10:07 PM	#14
mactube Drives: 2015 Camaro Convertible Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: California Posts: 89	I have the same problem, the passenger side cylinder arm is bad, thats why the top opens and closes uneven and one side is dragging ( slower) Thanks for sharing the pictures @Jonesm24! Where you successful in replacing the cylinder and can you recommend doing it yourself, as I have quotes from 300 to 500 bucks. I looks like the cylinder, that I got form GM Direct doesn't have a plug/import for a hose from the hydraulic pump/motor is that correct ?