Question on convertible top operation?

T

tdo

New Member

Aug 5, 2003

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Mid-Michigan

Sep 24, 2005

#1

• Sep 24, 2005

• #1

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

 

ToplessStang

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Mar 7, 2004

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Montreal, Canada

Sep 24, 2005

#2

• Sep 24, 2005

• #2

A small diffrence from one side to the other is considered normal. Next time you take it in for an oil change you can mention it to them to take a look.

 

triggz

Founding Member

May 15, 2002

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Gadsden, AL

Sep 24, 2005

#3

• Sep 24, 2005

• #3

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.

 

K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?

10 Year Member

Mar 30, 2005

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Sep 24, 2005

#4

• Sep 24, 2005

• #4

Mine goes up unevenly at first as well. It always straightens itself out...

 

T

tdo

New Member

Aug 5, 2003

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Mid-Michigan

Sep 24, 2005

#5

• Sep 24, 2005

• #5

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)

 

rebelleader

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Mar 18, 2003

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Homer Glen, Il

Sep 24, 2005

#6

• Sep 24, 2005

• #6

WOW, that seems f'ed up. My vert does not do anything close to that.

 

ToplessStang

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Montreal, Canada

Sep 24, 2005

#7

• Sep 24, 2005

• #7

Nope, that's not normal. Warranty time.

 

AmBo

Active Member

Feb 3, 2004

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New Jersey

Sep 24, 2005

#8

• Sep 24, 2005

• #8

That is NOT normal. But nice ride. What year cobra is that?

 

T

tdo

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Aug 5, 2003

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Mid-Michigan

Sep 24, 2005

#9

• Sep 24, 2005

• #9

Ok, thanks, I will have them check it out.

It's an 03. Thanks.

 

Jamessocal

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Jan 2, 2005

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San Diego, CA

Sep 24, 2005

#10

• Sep 24, 2005

• #10

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)

Click to expand...

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.

 

skidad62

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Aug 27, 2005

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Moncton, New Brunswick

Sep 25, 2005

#11

• Sep 25, 2005

• #11

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.

 

hotdog71

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Dec 8, 2004

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Seattle, Eastside

Sep 25, 2005

#12

• Sep 25, 2005

• #12

Mine does almost the same thing the two dealers that have looked at it said it was "normal"

hey can someone post the TB number?

 

triggz

Founding Member

May 15, 2002

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Gadsden, AL

Sep 26, 2005

#13

• Sep 26, 2005

• #13

Can any ford techs post this TSB? That would be very handy. Mine does this and is out of warranty.

 

04gtdrop

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Jun 10, 2005

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Sac, CA

Sep 26, 2005

#14

• Sep 26, 2005

• #14

mine does that, its just not as bad as that....

 

hauoli63

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Feb 28, 2004

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Northern Virginia

Sep 26, 2005

#15

• Sep 26, 2005

• #15

Dang, that's definately not normal ....

 

topless98gt

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Mar 31, 2005

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Arlington, TX

Sep 26, 2005

#16

• Sep 26, 2005

• #16

Nice pink shirt. Is that you?

 

T

tdo

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Aug 5, 2003

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Mid-Michigan

Sep 26, 2005

#17

• Sep 26, 2005

• #17

topless98gt said:

Nice pink shirt. Is that you?

Click to expand...

Not with hair that long. That would be the wife.


Car goes into service on Friday.

I will post what I find out.

Thanks all.

 

T

tdo

New Member

Aug 5, 2003

54

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Mid-Michigan

Sep 30, 2005

#18

• Sep 30, 2005

• #18

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

 

T

tdo

New Member

Aug 5, 2003

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Mid-Michigan

Oct 11, 2005

#19

• Oct 11, 2005

• #19

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.

 

Jamessocal

New Member

Jan 2, 2005

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San Diego, CA

Oct 11, 2005

#20

• Oct 11, 2005

• #20

Interesting, thanks for posting.