Top frame allignment problem

89VertLX · Mar 9, 2004

Hey there,
I've had my Mustang about a month, and now that the weather is finally warming up, I've been able to put the top down and enjoy the car. The two times I have put the parade boot on the car, the top wouldn't line up afterwards. Both times, the studs for the top were about an inch to far back (towards the rear of the car) to fit in the hole when I raised the top. I coudn't latch the top until I got a friend to help me pull the front of the top forward enough for the latch to engage.

Any ideas what I can do to fix this problem? (Besides not using the top cover?) Is it common in 'verts? For reference, my car is an 89 5.0 LX w/ the original top (still not cracked) and 69K miles.

Thanks!

HISSIN50 · Mar 9, 2004

i have the same deal with my 88's top. the pass side is the problem child. both of my verts are like that (the other does not use a boot, but rather a tonneau). i think it is from everything being collapsed and then compressing when bumps are hit, gravity, etc.

i pull on mine too. be careful not to chip the insert on the windshield that the hook fits into. if i partially 'Kiss Me''Kiss Me''Kiss Me''Kiss Me' the latch, i can catch the windshield. i then pull on the 1/4 window brace inside the car to get it forward.
good luck. im interested to see what folks do and think (i dont know if it is common).

89VertLX · Mar 10, 2004

Hissin'50, I thought it was strange that my top is square to the windshield header when this happens. One side isn't worse than the other like on your car -- it just won't move forward enough to latch. Last week I spent about 20 minutes fiddling with the latch and top frame trying to get the top to latch. I finally had to get my neighbor to come over and give me a hand tugging on it before it would latch.

I know that my car hasn't been wrecked (still has the original paint and vin decals on all the panels.) Does anyone know if there are adjustments that can be made to the top frame? Since I still have the original top on the car, I'm wondering if that is the problem -- since it has probably shrunk a bit in the last 15 years.

Holland1 · Mar 10, 2004

I"ve had the same problem as you. The top seems to shrink when down, and takes alot to latch. it happend to me almost eveyday it was down. There is a tech manual for the vert, made my ford. I bought it from mustangs unlimited. it shows you have to adjust just about eveything from the roof to the small windows and make some repairs. hope this helps

Dan

ilow5oh · Aug 30, 2006

Whats the book called? THAT would help... lol

stykthyn · Aug 30, 2006

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/83-86-87-88-89-90-91-92-93-Mustang-Convertible-Manual_W0QQitemZ180013356047QQihZ008QQcategoryZ34220QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I bought this a couple of months ago. it shows how to adjust the frame rails, windows, and vinyl so that you can keep your top working properly. it would suck if you never got it fixed and your top tore.

Top frame allignment problem

89VertLX

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HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

89VertLX

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Holland1

ilow5oh

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stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

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Top frame allignment problem

89VertLX

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HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

89VertLX

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Holland1

ilow5oh

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stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

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