Troubleshooting ups/downs of convertible tops

[starfireelvis]

A friend of mine is having a problem with the convertible top not retracting (i.e., going back up) smoothly. Never having had a convertible (oh well...) I cannot speak from personal experience, so I was wondering if there was any basic troubleshooting that could be passed along, and also any suggestions for parts and service. As always, Fusick's has most if not all of the hardware available; but open to all responses. The vehicle in question is a '65 Olds Ninety-Eight, and is thought to be mostly if not completely original, so keeping that in mind as regards to any remedies as well. Thanks!

[rocketraider]

All my convertible experience is with those damn electric scissor tops, but I think most hydraulically operated top troubles fall into either low on fluid, air in system, or weak cylinders.

Filling and bleeding a top pump is a messy job, but the body section of any GM shop manual (and later Fisher manual) explains it.

For right now, try lubricating all the pivot points with a light machine oil and wiping the top cylinder pistons with some brake fluid.

Some systems use hydraulic fluid (brake fluid) other have transmission fluid. Brake fluid on a system using transmission fluid will not cause any real problems and may swell the seals enough to make the cylinders perform better, but the other way around will create a mess and probably force a system rebuild.

Worst to worst, after lubing the pivots, disconnect the cylinders from the top frame and operate it manually up and down a few times. You may be able to pinpoint any binding or slop issues by doing that.

There's times I think I'd like another ragtop, but after remembering the scissor top issues and thinking about hydraulic top issues, I think a Brit sportscar with an easily folded and erected manual top is the way to go. Then I'd have the English quirks to deal with...

[junkyardjeff]

If the top is not going up and down like it should check the fluid in the pump motor,dont put the motor on a angle and fill all the way up or you will be blowing out the seals in the pump and cylinders. When mounted the top motors are designed to not over fill unless someone has messed with the resevour,I would rather have a hydraulic system with the motor disconnected then one of those scissor tops.