Sticky Convertible Top

[Gwfl]

When I start lowering my convertible top it seems to stick (hesitate) at the first elbows on both sides. It hesitates for a second until pressure builds a little and then "pops" out and continues to lower properly. I just got back from Ford to have it checked and they (their expert on tops) said that it was normal...I don't believe them so I asked them to log my concern (factory warranty up next week) and to check for any service bulletins.

Do your Birds do this? Do they lower smoothly at all times as the elbows bend?

Gary

[sdman]

Re: Sticky Convertible Top

MY top goes down with one smooth push of the button. So i don't think its normal. Typical dealer to avoid the problem.

[YLO BRD]

Re: Sticky Convertible Top

Mine is smooth also, no hesitation at all. I think they're just avoiding the problem.

[5bird7]

Re: Sticky Convertible Top

I can ditto the responses, too.

[MATBird]

Re: Sticky Convertible Top

When I start lowering my convertible top it seems to stick (hesitate) at the first elbows on both sides. It hesitates for a second until pressure builds a little and then "pops" out and continues to lower properly. I just got back from Ford to have it checked and they (their expert on tops) said that it was normal...I don't believe them so I asked them to log my concern (factory warranty up next week) and to check for any service bulletins.

Do your Birds do this? Do they lower smoothly at all times as the elbows bend?

Gary

I believe someone else here, had a similar issue, you may want to try a search. Here's something that may be close:
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...oft+top+sticks
It's smart to have it on a written service order, so it is now an open item when your warranty goes out.

[MATBird]

Re: Sticky Convertible Top

Gary: I just went through my files and found that at one time a member Jim, posted this after he had ca similar issue fixed:

"The top retraction was fixed quite quickly. It seems that there is an extra gadget, in addition to the motors that drive the retraction, that sort of "kicks" the top and helps it retract smoothly. This gadget needed adjusting. This is why we had to "kick" it to complete the retraction.
They adjusted it, oiled (greased?) it and it works perfectly.
So, everyone can add this little episode to their collection of "what to do when it happens to you" file."

And I did copy it so now share it with you....maybe Jim will chime in as well.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Sticky Convertible Top

Gary...your top is definitely not normal. Good luck.

[Sweet T]

Re: Sticky Convertible Top

Mine does that.

I just help it along at the first fold with a little push.....don't want to burn out the motor.

[MATBird]

Re: Sticky Convertible Top

Mine does that.

I just help it along at the first fold with a little push.....don't want to burn out the motor.

So Barb, that solution I posted above, post #6, would probably resolve your issue as well.

[FritsB]

Re: Sticky Convertible Top

Gary, down yes, up it sometimes staggers a bit.

[wtxbird]

Re: Sticky Convertible Top

Take it back, thats not normal. Sounds like a bad Ford dealer, run it by a conv top shop and take there estimate what it will cost to fix back to the dealer.

[Gwfl]

Re: Sticky Convertible Top

I'll take it to another dealer in the area to see what they say and then to an independant shop if necessary.

Gary

[Sweet T]

Re: Sticky Convertible Top

So Barb, that solution I posted above, post #6, would probably resolve your issue as well.

Could be. Have to wait 'til Spring, the hardtop's on now. Maybe we could look for the "gadget" at Fitchburg or Skip's? I'll bring the WD40 and some screwdrivers lol.

[Gwfl]

Re: Sticky Convertible Top

Went to another dealer and had their "expert" take a look at what I was concerned with. He also said it was normal and was associated with the spring in that area loosing its tension when the elbow starts to bend backward. The effect is equal on both sides so he may be right and I might be stressing over nothing. On the way home stopped at a classic car shop where there was a beautiful '57 in white and also a 2002 TR. I asked the owner, thinking he would have had some experience with the retro as I have seen many there in the past and he also said the same thing...normal. The other day I saw a woman in a parking lot headed for her T-Bird and I was going to ask her if she would drop her top so I could watch but I thought better of it Guess I'll have to keep resarching until I'm sure it's working correctly.

Merry Christmas to All,

Gary

[Gwfl]

Re: Sticky Convertible Top

Stopped at a used car site on my way to work where they had a gold 2005 bird for sale. I asked if I could see the top go down and sure enough it did the same hesitation as mine...actually a little worse. I also checked out a friends Mustang and it worked smoothly but it seemed to be constructed a little differently.

Gary