The convertible top on my car works for now. It needed help when being put down though. I would have to push it to get over the top. I greased up all the joints and many weeks later it can now do it by itself. Do you think the motor is going out (i check the fluid by the way and it was at the right level) Or do you think its was just sticky joints? Its a $350 motor so I'm not just gonna replace it until it really does go out

 

Mine does not need that little boost when you want to put it down but it sure helps. I have not really addressed this problem yet but lubing the mechanism is a good start. I have not checked the fluid level ever.

Anyone else?

 

With all these questions you might want to get a manual. Helms factory service type. Check E-Bay.

 

The documentation available on the F-body convertible top mechanism is sketchy at best. There are exploded-view diagrams but nobody has ever taken the time to do a real good website about it. I'd love to see a website that closely documents, with pictures, the removal and installtion of a convertible top. How to replace one youself and get professional results, how to diagnose and fix issues with the mechanism, etc.

It would be sweet if there was a place like Shoebox's website that had in depth detialed how-to articles on it.

With all that being said, I've had a couple problems with my top. A couple years ago a pivot bolt on the drivers side let go and the top would not move. This caused some parts of the top to get bent out of shape. Even after I replaced the bolt the top would not match up to the window properly when in the up position. I had to take the bolt back out and bend one of the arms back into position, carefully comparing it to the one on the passenger side. I eventually got it to line up, but now when I put the top down I can hear it make a thunk noise on the way down that it never made before. It does work fine, though, and the window does not leak so I'm not messing with it any further.

I really wish there was a good solid online resource on this.

 

Yeah I do have a helms manual... not very helpful with the convertable top. Yeah I wish there was a website on it too. It seems to go up and down smoothly but slows at when the front is trying to get over that "hump" It used to need help to get past that point. Since a lubed the joints 2 months ago it has been getting better. It doesnt need help anymore. But it didnt help right away... the first time it worked better was a week ago. I am wondering if thats because it took that long to work its way in the joints or if its because its getting warmer out (old caked up grease thinning out) or a combo of both.... Can the hydraulic motor get weaker as it gets older or is it one of those things that either works or it doesnt?

 

It could be a lot of things...

Check the electrical contacts at the switch and the pump motor... If there is any corrosion then it can reduce the current going to the pump... If you didn't use the top much during the winter, then it may take some cycling up and down to make it run free and smooth...

When my battery was dying, the top wouldn't operate by itself without the motor running...

Just some thoughts for you...