Re: Disassembly of convertible top

Posted by Leeedy On 2016/5/1 7:23:53
Quote:

ewrecks wrote:
I hope that the photos attached give someone an idea why this bracket broke at this location,,,,,,and if it is the same place where others have experienced problems,
I agree with Leeedy's conclusion that old aluminum is brittle and breaks easily and concur that any of the problems he posits could explain the initial
uneven elevation, My pumps,hoses and cylinders are new and undamaged
and the hid is ATF.
I am wondering whether the top being too tight could result in stress to the
Frame components.
I disconnected the cylinders and was ableTo easily drop the top and get it under the boot today and may just leave it that way for a while and enjoy fhe car.


The framework on your top broke at the point where it broke due to uneven pressure against it-not because of a design flaw. It also appears that all hinge pins have been painted over. If a topstack frame has been painted as an assembly and then allowed to dry, then yes, it could also compound any potential issues with binding up. Frames were not originally painted after assembly.

Otherwise, okay, but it would seem you have done your diagnosis here and it would appear to be in your electro-hydraulics and not in the topstack frame. Why?

If you disconnected the top from the rams and it goes up and down without binding, then obviously the binding does not appear to be in the framework or top fabric, but rather in the electro-hydraulics.
(HINT: raising and lowering one of these tops by one person-by hand can cause additional damage. These tops were engineered to be raised or lowered under even pressure from both sides. So get a friend to balance pressure on both sides before raising/lowering).

New or not, rams can still operate unevenly. They can be damaged, have internal or external leaks, bent rods, dented housings, etc. Or the rams can simply be mis-matched (hint, both shiny rods have to extend exactly the same length).

Pump motors likewise can have issues, new or not. If you are using ATF fluid, then your deeper diagnosis should begin with examining the electro-hydraulic system.

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