Replacing all of the convertible top hydraulics on my 1994 SL320 (R129)

This was a very intense job. It took about 25 hours total for me (spread over 5 days) and I have never done this before. I try to capture my experience as accurately as possible - the good, the bad, lessons learned, and more.

The hydraulic roof cylinders were repaired by ‪@TopHydraulics‬ in Florence, Oregon. Klaus at Top Hydraulics has a GREAT playlist for the R129 that you're going to want to check out here:
   • Mercedes R129 SL-Class - How To Repla...  

That playlist was essential for when I pulled the parts from a junkyard car before sending them in for repair. I pulled the parts from a 1994 SL500 at Pull N Save South in Phoenix, Arizona. Putting the repaired cylinders back in was more challenging!

Klaus provided great support to me while I went through this process. It was challenging. Besides the Mercedes R129, Top Hydraulics does repairs for a LOT of other cars and they use extremely high quality seals. Check them out here:
https://www.tophydraulics.com/

Time stamps
Intro and unboxing: (0:00)
First look at the soft top: (0:35)
Starting with the front lock cylinders: (1:13)
Replaced the A pillar trim: (3:13)
Notes about mounting "headliner" trim under the visor: (3:56)
Using the Mercedes tool to manually open tonneau cover: (4:30)
Notes about front distribution block: (4:50)
Notes about how to put securing clips onto cylinder: (5:31)
Notes about the rear cylinder installation: (6:00)
Another note about the securing clips: (7:19)
Showing what's left: (8:01)
Soft top module reset procedure: (8:23)
Describing next steps - taking out the rear trim: (9:50)
Tip for pulling top eyelet of main cylinder up: (11:32)
Notes about bottom of main cylinder: (12:13)
Bow cylinder - notes about bow cylinder microswitch: (12:44)
Fixing situation where line won't go in flush: (14:23)
Rant about dropping parts: (15:33)
Problem where hinge pin is hitting soft top - stopping it from closing: (16:35)
Microswitch re-installed on bow cylinder - demo: (17:13)
What's left - putting wire channel and e-clips on, status update: (17:56)
Problem 1 - notes about tonneau switch: (18:38)
Problem 2 - back won't go into lock cylinder (19:28)
Another rant about dropping parts: (20:41)
Showing location of all 12 cylinders: (21:35)
E-clips put onto bow cylinders: (23:06)
All of the tools I used for the job: (23:35)
Thoughts after finishing the job: (26:55)