ghostymosty Posted July 21, 2002 Share Posted July 21, 2002 I'm new to owning a TC (July 5, 2002) and just took off the hardtop for the first time yesterday. When I was done 'airing out the car' at 60+mph on the freeways and tried to put the softtop up for the first time I ran into a problem. The softtop does not seem to stay down far enough at the back for the pull down mechanism to get ahold on the pins. I eventually had to undo the front latches and hold the bottom of the top down while manually latching it (try doing that with just 2 hands!) and got it on about the 20th attempt. Then the pull down finally got ahold of it to keep it from popping up when I fastened the front latches. I'm thinking there has to be an easier way to do this or I'm gonna be in a world of wet if I'm driving topdown when it starts to rain! Anybody else got suggestions or personal experience on this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostymosty Posted July 28, 2002 Author Share Posted July 28, 2002 Well, with enough practice I think the top problem is whipped. I got home with the top down just before the rain started yesterday and managed to get the top on with only one attempt. Seems that I need to have the pull down latched in the 'pulled down' position before trying to set the pins into the holes. I did it that way by accident and lo & behold, the pins went in and latched without needing to manually lock them in. That left me just enough time to put the windows up before the deluge started. But I did have to leave the car cover off since the wind was gusting pretty good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 20, 2004 Share Posted April 20, 2004 I have had the same problem with my black "91 TC for many years. My father had this car before me and he was also frustrated. He asked for my help. He late confided that the indigestion was a heart attack beginning. He is O.K now and that was 10 years ago. Unfortunately I did not understand the answer that you were given (this discussion was 2002)if you can remember. How are you doing with raising the top now. I have by accident done it. I can not understand the original manual and I have an extra manual that came with the car that is gold and it tells about resetting the top. That is also confusing.Another problem I am having is getting the parts for the air conditioner and finding if there is a more affordable alternative to the compressor price quote I go of $800 I got from the A/C Mechanic. I also need the return low pressure hose (did I get that right, I remeber for sure it was the low pressure one)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 20, 2004 Share Posted April 20, 2004 I just re-read the discussion and I saw that you answered your own question. Lucky I was not harsh about not understanding you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostymosty Posted April 21, 2004 Author Share Posted April 21, 2004 I found that if I locked the top pulldown mechanism in the 'pulled down' position before inserting the top pins into the holes on the cover, then put the pins into the holes until they clicked, the top was easy to raise and latch. Doing that manually requires turning the nut in the truck area clockwise until it locks in place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 21, 2004 Share Posted April 21, 2004 I would like to make sure I understand. You are using the top motor switch to lower the top but the top pins are not in yet. Yes? For how long? Then you are putting the pins in and getting the click and then going clockwise or are you turning the truck nut before you click the pins in. Once the pins are in how are you releasing it? Does the switch going up release it? <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Backes Posted April 21, 2004 Share Posted April 21, 2004 Well, I guess I'm lost here as well...Here's what I do.Lowering:1) Lower All Four Windows2) Release the two front clamps above the windshield3) Give the top edge above the windshield a push up4) Close the two front clamps, let the top rest on the closed latch j-hooks5) Get Out of the Car and walk back so that my right hand is at the bottom edge of the top6) Use my left hand to press and hold the top button in the "up" position while giving gentle up pressure with my right hand7) When the top releases from the latches, release the switch8) Pull up on the rear of the top till it's standing straight up9) While using your right forearm to keep the top up, grab the tonneau cover with your right hand10) Press and hold the tonneau release switch and lift the cover, once it's clear on both sides, release the switch.11) Raise the cover all the way vertical12) Lower the top into the well with your left hand by grabbing the front edge of the top13) MAKE SURE the top has gone in without binding, you don't want to break the glass!14) Gently close the tonneau coverRaising:1) Press and hold the tonneau cover release button with your left hand. Lift the cover with your right hand, when both latches release let go of the button2) Pull the top out and rest the two front J-hooks on the top of the windshield3) Pull the Back of the top out till it's vertical4) Lower the tonneau cover and let it drop from about 3 inches so both sides latch5) Lower the back so that both rear pins go into the holes6) Push the back down on each side till you hear the pins click into the latches7) Press top button down, you will here two clicks as the top approaches it's downward limit, then you will here the motor slow. Release the button8) Get inside the car and lift the front of the top a little, open then latches, then lower the top and close the latches9) Raise the windows.Hope that helps.jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCParts Posted April 21, 2004 Share Posted April 21, 2004 Jeff,Your instructions on the softtop were great except for one thing - the rear pull-down pins need to be latched and lowered *before* the front latches are clamped. One of the reasons so many TC top pull-down motors fail is that many of the TC owners latch the front latches before the rear pull downs are latched and the rear pull down motor housing cracks or gear teeth break. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Backes Posted April 21, 2004 Share Posted April 21, 2004 I had no idea! So, I'm supposed to lock down the back before I latch the front! That makes sense since my wife's mustang would basically work the same way.Thanks for the info, I'll change my habit! And fix the post above as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostymosty Posted April 22, 2004 Author Share Posted April 22, 2004 original post was about doing this when the pull down motor is not working. (Turning the nut in the trunk area while trying to hold the top down was next to impossible). That is apparently where the confusion about the post comes from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Backes Posted April 23, 2004 Share Posted April 23, 2004 In my best Gilda Radner Voice.... "Never Mind" <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now