Top Won't Go Down

[StormySky]

A couple of days ago I noticed that the back of the driver side window was rubbing on the top, fraying the fabric. Today I tried to put the top down, and it wouldn't stow in the trunk. I couldn't push it down far enough. As I searched on the forum to see if anyone else had such problems, I ran across the threads about the metal pieces ripping holes in the top where the top folds...well, I noticed I have that problem too! I also saw that the sides of the top where the buttresses slide up and down as the top is opened and closed get stuck about 2-3 inches above where they should be seated. When the top is put up and latched, the bar that is between the headliner and the outside fabric seems very loose. I was wondering if that was normal or not (as I don't look for such details unless I notice problems) I'm taking it in Wednesday for other service (doors rattle) and they're going to check on the top too. Has anyone else had such a problem?

[Lil GTO]

Originally Posted by StormySky

A couple of days ago I noticed that the back of the driver side window was rubbing on the top, fraying the fabric. Today I tried to put the top down, and it wouldn't stow in the trunk. I couldn't push it down far enough. As I searched on the forum to see if anyone else had such problems, I ran across the threads about the metal pieces ripping holes in the top where the top folds...well, I noticed I have that problem too! I also saw that the sides of the top where the buttresses slide up and down as the top is opened and closed get stuck about 2-3 inches above where they should be seated. When the top is put up and latched, the bar that is between the headliner and the outside fabric seems very loose. I was wondering if that was normal or not (as I don't look for such details unless I notice problems) I'm taking it in Wednesday for other service (doors rattle) and they're going to check on the top too. Has anyone else had such a problem?

There have been reports of the top supports getting bent out of whack and needing to be replaced - most of them a while back.

[JRinKY]

There was also a plastic ball-joint type fitting that would break. I have not seen reports of that for some time either.

[StormySky]

I've had the car since October 2006, but I've only put 4000 miles on it, so I'm still coming across problems many people have probably already noticed.

[RMFNSKY]

Originally Posted by JRinKY

There was also a plastic ball-joint type fitting that would break. I have not seen reports of that for some time either.

I had that problem, the top was all out of whack when it broke. Easy 1 HR fix No problems since

[StormySky]

This is what the top looked like after I tried to put it down and put it back up again. I thought I better stop messing with it and have it checked out. I noticed everything is out of alignment-- the pillars behind the window and where it meets the windshield. I moved the pillars to the right place, then it aligned with the windshield just fine.

[gfdcapt]

Originally Posted by StormySky

This is what the top looked like after I tried to put it down and put it back up again. I thought I better stop messing with it and have it checked out. I noticed everything is out of alignment-- the pillars behind the window and where it meets the windshield. I moved the pillars to the right place, then it aligned with the windshield just fine.

OUCH! That looks all discombobulated!

[lasbrisas]

The convertible top is starting to have problems with I raise the top and try to latch the latch. On the passenger side above the window, it's like the rubber gaskets are not lining up properly - so I manually massage them. Then last night, after doing that, I've noticed on the driver size that the fabric isn't going all the way down to meet the car body, and the horizontal rubber gasket is showing. I've had the car less than 2 years, it has 7300 miles on it - I hope they fix it under warranty. I expect it's going to start looking like the picture that someone attached if I mess with it (lower it) anymore. How disappointing!

[StormySky]

An update about Stormy's top. I took a sheet of photos I took of the problems with the top (wrinkled buttresses, tears above driver side window, window rubbed hole in top, etc) to the dealer when I had my recall fixed. They agreed to replace the top under warranty, which they sent to an outside source, and said the door AND the top needed adjustments. The car has been in the shop for 3 days. In addition, I had a rattle in the passenger door, near the inside door handle, and a part had to be "cemented" back in place. While they had the door panel off, they realized there was a service bulletin about a mirror. The guy I talked to wasn't exactly positive what the bulletin was, but it had something to do with the mirror. Anyhow, I went to pick it up last night (an hour and a half from home) only to be told that it wouldn't be ready until the next day. I wasn't very happy about that, but the dealer did agree to pay for a meal at a steakhouse, and they are delivering my car to my home as soon as it is finished today. I guess I can't complain about that, although I would have like to have my car for the last 80 degree day we just had!

[StormySky]

I've had some time now to make sure the work on the top was acceptable. I found that the top is VERY stiff, but it does go up and down. I do have to make sure the posts behind the windows are in place before I latch the top, and it's a tight fit getting it in the trunk. Other than that, the top looks fantastic. I'm sure with a little more use it will stow away much easier.