Question on convertible top operation?

tdo

New Member
Aug 5, 2003
54
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Mid-Michigan
Recently purchased a Vert.

When I put the top up, one side starts to come up before the other. They seem to straighten out and it closes ok at the A-pillar.

Is this normal for these cars? Or do I have the dealer take a look?

TIA,

Thomas
 
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My passenger side has always lagged behind just a little bit when it starts to raise. It's always done it and I've seen plenty of others do it too.

I would assume its just lag from one hydraulic cylinder filling quicker.
 
Thank you for your posts guys. Very helpful.

Here is a sequence of pics of the top going up. You can see it starts on one side then the other side soon catches up.

(Not sure I can post pics here, but I will try)

top%20up%201.jpg


top%20up%202.jpg


top%20up%203.jpg
 
tdo said:
Thank you for your posts guys. Very helpful.

Here is a sequence of pics of the top going up. You can see it starts on one side then the other side soon catches up.

(Not sure I can post pics here, but I will try)

top%20up%201.jpg


top%20up%202.jpg


top%20up%203.jpg


Mine is doing the same exact thing. I'll be taking it in soon.
Post up when you get it fixed, I'm curious as to what the problem is.
 
I had same issue - but got it remedied

I had the same issue on my 03 Centennial vert - it was WAY off like yours. It took me three trips to the dealer - but they eventually tracked down a Ford Technical Bulletin that identifies how to solve the problem. Once they had the bulletin, they fixed it with adjustments same day. Works 100% now.
 
For anyone that is interested, this is what I learned.


There is a service bulletin regarding the "pivot" that may need adjustment if one side is going up before the other. That should be an easy fix. Just make sure they do look up the bulletin (sorry, I do not have the bulletin number).

In my cars case though, it is more serious, as a seal has gone bad internally in one of the 2 lift cylinders and needs replacing. As they do not know how long it has been bad like this (I have owned the car 3 weeks), they are going to replace both lift cylinders (because of undue stress on the good cylinder).

So in either case, go to your dealer and get it fixed.

Thanks to all with their input.

Thomas
 
Final Resolution

Again, if this helps anyone.

The replacement of the lift cylinders did not fix it all the way. I will now post the exact writeup given to me from Grand Ledge Ford.

"Left side of convertible top goes up 10 inches higher than right side. Tried to even out pressure to cylinders. Still uneven. Replaced both hydrolic cylinders. Helped but still 6 inches uneven. Called hot line, they faxed a procedure over. Removed cylinder mounting brackets and sloted. Installed bracket and adjusted. Still uneven. Replaced both C-pivots with shoulder bolt kits and loosened attaching bolts to cylinders. Relieved pressure and retorqued bolts. Top now lifts 4 inches difference."

Whew.

Anyway, I tested it before I took the car and it is much better (4 inch difference is a bit of an exageration, maybe more like 2 inches tops). I have it in writing from them that this is within specs, thus if it grenades, I am coming back after them.

For me, it's good enough as long as their are no problems down the road.

It's sad really that my 69 Cougar and 69 Camaro convertibles didn't (and don't) have this problem. Quality is job 1 hunh.