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Convertible Guys, I have a Question!

  • Thread starter Thread starter 7upstang91
  • Start date Start date May 17, 2011

7upstang91

10 Year Member
May 30, 2008
936
124
74
Florida
May 17, 2011
#1
  • May 17, 2011
  • #1
Back in March, I had a new Top put on the mustang. All of the components for the top worked fine, meaning the convertible top motor and supporting pieces. They worked great, and never once had a problem. This is before I had the new top put on.

Well, I always drive with the top down, since the weather is always great. But I rarely drive the car. Every time I put the top up, it has been a pain to latch both sides down. I have spent around 5 minutes nearly everytime I wanted to put the top up. I need about another 1/8 of inch in all reality to align the "j" hook latch into the hole.

Last time I drove the car I just 'flopped' the top up, but did not latch it. This morning I went out to latch the top, so I could wash the car, but to my luck after fighting for 10 minutes I could only get one side latched.

This is my question. Do you think the top wasn't put on right( due to the fact it has been a pain in my butt to put up)? Or is the old motor finally giving out(which never once had a problem before)?

They did the top on my mom's Cobra the next week and it had an awful wind noise, but she traded the Cobra in shortly after.
 

wythors

Get off my lawn!!!
Founding Member
May 17, 2000
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C Addle
May 17, 2011
#2
  • May 17, 2011
  • #2
When I had the top done on my car several years ago, I was told to leave my top up for two weeks to allow the top to stretch. Even though I did so, it was still much tighter than it had been for a couple of years after the install. I'd recommend leaving it up and sitting in the sun for a while and see if that helps.
 

7upstang91

10 Year Member
May 30, 2008
936
124
74
Florida
May 17, 2011
#3
  • May 17, 2011
  • #3
wythors said:
When I had the top done on my car several years ago, I was told to leave my top up for two weeks to allow the top to stretch. Even though I did so, it was still much tighter than it had been for a couple of years after the install. I'd recommend leaving it up and sitting in the sun for a while and see if that helps.
Click to expand...
I was only told a week. I might have to leave it out a little while longer and get someone to help me hold pressure against the top to actually get it into place and latched.
 

leibldg

New Member
May 9, 2011
21
1
3
May 17, 2011
#4
  • May 17, 2011
  • #4
wythors said:
When I had the top done on my car several years ago, I was told to leave my top up for two weeks to allow the top to stretch. Even though I did so, it was still much tighter than it had been for a couple of years after the install. I'd recommend leaving it up and sitting in the sun for a while and see if that helps.
Click to expand...

+1
 
I

IN2FORD

New Member
Mar 31, 2005
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0
1
May 17, 2011
#5
  • May 17, 2011
  • #5
If it does not streatch out for you, there are all sorts of adjustments you can make to get it latched. I bought a copy of the factory convertible service manual off of ebay for $30...well worth it. It covers the windows as well getting them to seal right. Might want to check into that. Here is a pic of the front cover.




Barry
 

Slo5Oh89

Member
Oct 8, 2009
226
3
19
Washington, IL
May 17, 2011
#6
  • May 17, 2011
  • #6
I left mine up for amost 4 weeks and never had any trouble out of it. I would leave it up for a few weeks so the fabric can settle in. Also try getting it in the sun some with the top up.
 
N

need4speed7383

New Member
May 14, 2011
4
0
2
May 17, 2011
#7
  • May 17, 2011
  • #7
I installed my own top on my 92 LX and left it up for two wks and couple of days in sun and worked well after that. when I initially finished the install i had a hell of a time latching it but the two wks cured it.
 

7upstang91

10 Year Member
May 30, 2008
936
124
74
Florida
May 17, 2011
#8
  • May 17, 2011
  • #8
leibldg said:
+1
Click to expand...
To the bottom.
IN2FORD said:
If it does not streatch out for you, there are all sorts of adjustments you can make to get it latched. I bought a copy of the factory convertible service manual off of ebay for $30...well worth it. It covers the windows as well getting them to seal right. Might want to check into that. Here is a pic of the front cover.



Thank you. I actually need to buy this for the windows too.
Barry
Click to expand...

Slo5Oh89 said:
I left mine up for amost 4 weeks and never had any trouble out of it. I would leave it up for a few weeks so the fabric can settle in. Also try getting it in the sun some with the top up.
Click to expand...

need4speed7383 said:
I installed my own top on my 92 LX and left it up for two wks and couple of days in sun and worked well after that. when I initially finished the install i had a hell of a time latching it but the two wks cured it.
Click to expand...

That is just it. I had the top done the first week of march. Two and a half months later, and yes the top is latched and has sat in the sun for probably a month total.

That's what I don't get. It has been latched and sat in the sun, for the recommend time and beyond. There has to be adjustments, and I am going to order the book soon.
 

strtrcr50

New Member
Jun 21, 2006
0
4
0
Previously from Dirty Jerzey exit 7a
May 18, 2011
#9
  • May 18, 2011
  • #9
IN2FORD said:
If it does not streatch out for you, there are all sorts of adjustments you can make to get it latched. I bought a copy of the factory convertible service manual off of ebay for $30...well worth it. It covers the windows as well getting them to seal right. Might want to check into that. Here is a pic of the front cover.




Barry
Click to expand...

You mean this manual? top info.pdf Right here in .pdf format?
 
O

oldno7

Member
Mar 27, 2010
109
1
18
May 19, 2011
#10
  • May 19, 2011
  • #10
Thanks a lot
 
O

oldspony

New Member
Sep 8, 2011
1
0
0
Sep 8, 2011
#11
  • Sep 8, 2011
  • #11
top won't latch

My wifes 03 convertible is almost impossible to latch on passanger side. Was hoping someone would have an answer as to what I could adjust but guess I'll try keeing top up and in sun as much as possible.
 
K

kaitan

New Member
Jun 27, 2011
11
0
0
Colorado
Sep 10, 2011
#12
  • Sep 10, 2011
  • #12
Thanks for the online manual! A real life saver.
 

aar0s

Founding Member
Dec 20, 1998
1,015
55
69
Sep 10, 2011
#13
  • Sep 10, 2011
  • #13
strtrcr is todays winner! thanks! And in .pdf format no less, my wifes nook will also be getting this for easy transport to the garage...
 
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