2002 Mustang Convert Leaking

You will have to have it adjusted by a good body and trim shop, one that specializes in convertible tops.

What about your window seals? IMO I would start with the cheapest option.

Yes, I think it is the window being out of adjustment.

Have you visually inspected the rubber window seals? Are they ripped, torn, or loose?

Just take it to a good trim shop. They can pop the door panel off like nothing and know exactly how to adjust the window. Probably will not even cost all that much.

Insurance fraud makes insurance more expensive for all of us Also, if you break out the window you could get little pieces of glass in places where it would rattle forever

Simple fact of the matter is that convertibles need adjustment and maintenance of the top and window alignment. Its just the way it is, verts are slightly more expensive to own and maintain for this reason. Tops are only really good for 5-7 years. Rear windows tend to seperate and leak. Side windows tend to get out of alignment. Stuff will need to be repaired and maintained.

Make sure that the shop specializes in convertible tops. The way I determined this was to call a few high end dealerships and ask the service guys who they used for convertible top replacement.

In my town the answer was always the same:
www.fabini.com

Here is some interesting text from Fabini's website linked above:

TIPS FOR CONVERTIBLE OWNERS

Installation of our Products: Robbins strongly recommends that convertible owners always have our convertible tops, glass windows and other products installed at Automotive Upholstery and Trim Shops. Trim Shops have the tools and experience to correctly install our tops and other products on your convertible. Always watch your convertible top (and glass or plastic window) as it is lowered or raised: Watch for any irregular motion, snagging or other problems. If you notice any problems and your convertible is still under new car Warranty, immediately go to your dealer to have your convertible top frame inspected. If your convertible is out of Warranty, immediately take your convertible to your local automotive Trim and Upholstery shop to have your top frame examined. Whenever any problems are observed when tops are lowered or raised, convertible owners need to quickly respond to have potential problems with top frames repaired before convertible tops, glass or plastic windows, or headliners are damaged.

As convertibles age: When convertibles are out of warranty, top frame, bow links and other frame components no longer have the alignment they did when your convertible was new. Weather seals, top frame pads or straps, side and rear cables, rain rails etc., may need to be replaced to avoid water leakage and damage to tops and glass or plastic window assemblies. Not replacing weather seals can result in wind noise and water leakage when you replace your top. If rust develops on your top frame, have this removed and your top frame repainted to protect your top frame and convertible top. Leave your Top Up when Not Driving: We strongly recommend that you leave convertible tops latched in the up position overnight or whenever you are not driving your convertible. This will help retain the original shape of your top, resist shrinkage, and avoid crease marks where the top folds when in the down position. Leaving your top up when you are not driving will also help to prolong the service life of plastic windows.

Always Leave a new top and glass or plastic window in the up position for a minimum of 24 hours for tops made in PVC Vinyl toppings, and one week for tops made in cloth toppings, after our products were installed. As convertible top frames age, links and joints wear and top frames do not have the same alignment as when convertibles were new. Leaving convertible tops and glass windows in the up position after installation allows them time to relax and adjust, or become "seasoned" to the top frame. Always Follow the instructions in your Owner's Manual for lowering and raising your Top. Always keep the top well area free of objects, especially if a Glass Window is installed with your Top. Even harmless looking objects such as beach towels can cause glass windows to break. Objects in your top well can further cause unnecessary wear and stress on top frames, plus cause damage to your top and to plastic windows as well.

Always Unlatch Top at front before unzipping, or zipping window closed before latching for any convertible Top, Glass or Plastic Window, unless different instructions appear in your owners manual or Robbins brochure. Always Try and keep your Top, Tonneau Cover, Glass or Plastic Window, etc., clean. Do not Raise or lower convertible tops, glass or plastic window assemblies when the temperature is below 40 degrees (5 degrees Centigrade) since this can cause damage to the topping, plastic windows and other components. Do not Lower your convertible top, glass or plastic window when the top is wet, to avoid discoloration or other damage to the topping or inside backing. Do not Store away wet top boots or tonneau covers, to avoid discoloration and shrinking that can cause these products to no longer fit.

CLEANING OF OUR PRODUCTS

Glass Windows: Glass Windows should be cleaned with water based glass cleaners only. Please be extremely careful when cleaning Heater/Defroster glass windows not to scratch the defroster lines or to break the power source connector wire. Cleaner should never be allowed to drip into seams or heat seals. Plastic Windows: Plastic windows in convertible Tops should be cleaned frequently. Be sure to hose or blow off loose dirt particles from surface first, and then use either plain water or mild soap and water solution. Apply with a soft cloth or tissue to gently clean window. Always clean in a side to side or a top to bottom motion, NEVER in a circular motion, (cleaning in a circular motion can damage plastic windows). There are also several good plastic cleaners available such as "Meguiar's Mirror Glaze Formula 17". Never use harsh brushes or abrasives when cleaning plastic windows. Use of Vinyl Preservatives We do NOT recommend use of penetrating vinyl preservatives, conditioners or dressings on Tops, Tonneau Covers, and other products. Cleaning Tops, Tonneau Covers and Other Products Made in Cloth or Vinyl Toppings We strongly recommend hand washing convertible tops and other products.

Tops and other products made in Vinyl toppings can be cleaned using Vinyl Cleaners such as Malco which are widely available. While Car Washes generally will not harm convertible Tops made in Cloth or Vinyl Toppings, never allow a car wash to apply spray wax to your convertible Top. To hand wash our products, use Ivory or other mild soap flakes in a bucket of lukewarm water. In hard water areas add Calgon (not to be confused with dishwasher detergent) or other water softener until the water feels slippery. ALWAYS Wash Tops, Tonneau Covers, etc. in the shade, never in direct sun. ALWAYS Wash entire Top, Tonneau Cover, etc. Never spot clean to avoid rings or bright spots. ALWAYS Wet entire car before washing Top. Use sponge or soft bristle brush to apply suds. Do not use a chamois or cloth since these will leave lint on Cloth Tops. ALWAYS Rinse well with hose making sure to remove all traces of soap. Wipe off excess water with sponge. Please be careful to hose down entire car to prevent soap from streaking paint. ALWAYS Install Tonneau Covers and Top Boots after cleaning while still damp to preserve fit and shape. ALWAYS Try to move Tops into direct sun after cleaning and thorough rinsing to dry. Chamois all excess water off body of car.

* DO NOT Use detergents, bleaches, harsh cleansers, cleaners or abrasives.
* DO NOT Use dry-cleaning solvents, etc.
* DO NOT Use hot water.
* DO NOT Lower down or cover convertible tops when wet or damp. This can lead to mildew growth and in extreme cases can cause discoloration or rotting of toppings can occur.

Information on maintaining your convertible tops
Caution!
Avoid high pressure car washes, as they can damage the top material. Also, increased water pressure may force water past the weather strips.

General Cleaning
Careful vacuuming of the top before washing is helpful in removing dust and other foreign particles. Wash in partial shade instead of direct sun. Wet the entire vehicle before washing the top. The top should be washed with a soft, natural bristle scrub brush, and a mild soap
solution such as liquid dish washing soap. Do not use detergent.
Scrub in all directions, covering an area of about two square feet at a time. Avoid heavy scrubbing. Rinse the entire vehicle with a hose to remove all soap and dirt from the top fabric and to prevent streaking on printed and chrome surfaces. Allow the top to dry before lowering. Vacuuming the top with a wet/ dry shop vacuum will decrease the top's drying time, ensure removal of all dirt, and delete streaks in the material. Multiple cleanings may be necessary to remove stubborn stains. If stains persist, contact your local dealership for further suggestions.

Cloth Top Additional Cleaning Procedure
For additional cleaning assistance in removing stubborn stains, apply Mopar Convertible Cloth Top Cleaner #4883061 to the complete stain, extending 2 inches (50 mm) beyond the stain. With a soft bristle brush, scrub in all directions over the stain. Avoid heavy scrubbing.
Rinse the area with warm water. If the stain is still apparent, repeat the cleaning procedure. When the stain is no longer showing, rinse the complete top with warm water. Let the top dry before lowering it.

Caution!
Never use an abrasive type cleaner or bleaches. Cleaners should not contain silicones, organic solvents, petroleum distillates or plasticizers. Always wait until the top is thoroughly dry before lowering it into the storage area.

Driver Door adjustment on Convertible Mustang

I have a 2000 Mustang Convertible. I can't seem to adjust the guides so the glass back mechanism will stay attached and go up and down as it should. The glass was recently replaced because of a design defect within the actual glass and metal attachment on the bottom which eventually gives out in ALL mustangs. The new design is supposed to prevent this and would appear to be much better. (If you go to a junk yard and try and get a window for your mustang, don't bother. All of them will have this problem, or you will end up with the problem soon enough.) The door mechanism uses a scissor type control to move the glass up and down within the door frame (this is electric, not manual). There are stops (2 - L shaped metal brackets with rubber pads, adjustable) which are supposed to stop the glass at the top of the throw. In addition, there are slider guides (2 - L shaped metal brackets with material attached to them, also adjustable) which put pressure on the glass to keep the glass aligned with the top opening. Each of the metal guides (2 track guides) within the door are attached at a fixed point within the hollow of the door. The front metal guide is open on one side and the glass front guide mechanism (portion of glass towards the front of the car) has an extension which fits in this guide. On the back portion of the glass, there is a post (perpendicular to the glass) which fits into a bearing type wheel. This wheel (metal) slides up and down in the back guide. Each of the metal slides (2) have various adjustments which allow the brackets to move in our out (toward the driver seat or out away from the driver door as in the way the driver would look out the window). These guides do not allow adjustment from front of vehicle to back of vehicle (in this manner, they are fixed to a specific spot). The guides can be adjusted to allow the glass tilt to fit within the window frame. The problems is that when the glass is stopped at the top of what should be the throw, if the door is open, the back post will pop out of the bearing in the guide. The bearing or wheel stays in the guide, but the back of the glass is now detached and floating free. This also allows the back stop on the glass to go above the actual stop in the door. When the window is detached in this way, the window will no longer go down as the back stop is now above the stop in the door. I need to know if this is a defect in the way the glass was made, defect in the post or bearing, or a problem with the way the glass was adjusted. If anyone can help me figure this out, I would appreciate it.

Can you take some pics of what you are describing?

Just go canvas and be done with it!

Quit bragging about your canvas biotch...