Re: Convertible top- 1955 Caribbean
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Home away from home
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Can you disconnect the mechanism and move it up-and-down by hand? It might be obvious where it's binding.
Posted on: Today 16:34
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Re: Convertible top- 1955 Caribbean
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Home away from home
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Does not seem to be issue of binding….retracts smoothly. It will go up if someone is holding the button down and i do manual assist.
Not something that you would want if you were alone and had reason to raise the top . It functioned perfectly before but the car gets little use. Was just curious if anyone had a top motor start to fail. I thought that maybe the battery was low or generator output did not have enough juice but same result with charger attached at :40:@mps.
Posted on: Today 18:05
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Re: Convertible top- 1955 Caribbean
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Home away from home
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Quote:
Raising and lowering a convertible top often has little to do with how well it will operate. But yes, like most automotive systems, it is wise to cycle it periodically. The important thing is to properly maintain the top and power mechanisms. Was this system completely flushed and filled when assembled? Was this system burped? Raising the top is always when the power hydraulic system is stressed the most. So yes, it makes sense that problems raising are more likely than lowering. What kind of hydraulic lines do you presently have fitted between the pump and the rams? IF the lines are the plastic type you can see through, have someone operate the top switch while you observe the lines. • Check for bubbles • Check for air pockets • Check for continuous fluid on a raise cycle. • IF A V-8 PACKARD... be sure to have transmission fluid in the system rather than brake fluid. • Check closely for leaks in ram seals, reservoir, pump itself. IF you still have old rubber hydraulic lines obviously you won't be able to perform these steps... so check the rms with your top in the raised position, Disconnect the rods from the topstack frame and (being prepared with catch pans) check your lines infividually IF no bubbles or air pockets,: • check reservoir for fullness, clean, no blockages. • Disconnect shiny rods on rams from the topstack frame... • Have someone operate the switch while you observe BOTH rams and rods. Rods should BOTH extend and retract evenly. IF not, you either have a blocked line, bad seal, defective ram. • IF BOTH RAM RODS malfunction on RAISE or LOWER cycles, the problem is either in the pump or lines of BOTH rams are defective. IF you are not getting pumping or suction at each line end, (OR uneven) then the problems are in the lines. Replace them ALL. IF you are getting no pumping or suction OR sporadic at all found connedtions, then the problem is the pump. Replace it. AND... NEVER, EVER attempt to operate your convertible top by hand. This design was counterbalanced and meant to operate as such. Furthermore, pressure in the wrong positions can cause segments of the frame to crack, bind or completely snap off. The material of these segments is brittle and does not lend itself well to being welded once broken. Don't do it! Procedures for proper power convertible top were listed some timer ago in the Packard Club's Cormorant News Bulletin.
Posted on: Today 18:24
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Re: Convertible top- 1955 Caribbean
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Forum Ambassador
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And before arbitrarily replacing the pump you might also check pressures as described on page 28 in the body section of the 55-6 service manual.
Posted on: Today 18:53
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Howard
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