chazman

iTrader: (4)

This switch just stopped working. Tell me all I need to know in order to fix it.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Looks like the cable came loose from the latch.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Is it possible the cable is stretched? I disassembled the mechanism, lubed and reassembled and it works with the tonneau open but gets hung up when I put the top down. I need to manually twist the spring to release the pin for the top. Is there an adjustment I'm missing?


Someone stop me before I order a new cable.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

.....

two-if-by-sea

iTrader: (22)

Try this thread:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/conv...tible-top.html

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Thanks.

This picture may be helpful.




My arm goes up and down and is not at a 45* angle. I'll give it a look when I get home.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

There doesn't seem to be a lot of tension on the cable. How is that possible? How could it be stretched on a 7K mile car?

Should I replace the cable? Or am I missing something?

chazman

iTrader: (4)

New cable ordered.

If anyone other than two-if-by-sea and me are following this thread.

my82roc

iTrader: (101)

I don't see how the cable could be stretched.Is your lever angled the correct way with ther cable attached?

chazman

iTrader: (4)

It is. But it just seems like there is not enough tension on it to fully release the clip. I assembled it and tried 30 times already and each time had to release the top manually by crawling in the back seat to get under the tonneau. Not fun for a fat middle aged guy!

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

The bracket that's holding the cable housing could be bent a lil bit causing slack in the cable housing??

Drew

iTrader: (58)

The only way a cable like that can really stretch is if the cable is coming apart. If a couple strands break it'd effectively grow longer until finally it breaks completely. But usually you'll feel it binding long before the cable gives completely.

Maybe it's just me, but it looks like the arm on your latch isnt in the right position relative to the hairpin. But then I haven't looked at that latch on my car in a decade, so who knows. My guess would be that if you cant find a damaged part, that it's not assembled or adjusted correctly, but I just don't know.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

It actually does feel like it's binding or something. The picture above on the red car, with the arm at about the 10:30 position can be be duplicated in my car when the cable/arm is in the full unlocked position. Otherwise it's at 12:00.

Then when I pull the switch, it's like the cable isn't able to return, and I have to disassemble everything again to get some tension. New cable will be in next week. It either fixes it or I blew 100 bucks for nothing.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

What does the cable look like on the handle end?

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Tony, there a little tab which attaches to the handle in the first pic.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

New cable, no better.

two-if-by-sea

iTrader: (22)

Is there anything you want close-up pics of? There must be something that is not installed properly. My guess is the big hairpin. When I got my car, it had fairly low miles, but still, for whatever reason, had parts of the release mechanism that were missing, and I had to track down.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

I'm wondering??? The only thing different is that I started re-gluing the back of the top, where the factory glue had failed. Is it possible the pin at the rear was slightly re-positioned by this?

chazman

iTrader: (4)

If you wouldn't mind, can you take a pic of your latch in the closed position and one in the open position.

I'm wondering if it's not that hairpin looking spring?

two-if-by-sea

iTrader: (22)

This picture is the "closed" position

two-if-by-sea

iTrader: (22)

This is the "open" position...

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Thanks!

chazman

iTrader: (4)

So, it's not the cable. When you pull the cable switch, you can hear the pin pop, but it doesn't release all the way. You have to manually pop the pin the rest of the way.

Has the spring clip lost it's tension? Has that ever happened to anyone here?

Or is it related to this:

I noticed a torx screw is missing. Could this be enough to put the rear pin out of adjustment?

Sorry for the blurry pic.


I'm hoping Lon pops in for some guidance.

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

This is the correct hole to use for mounting the end of the cable. The outer hole was used for the earlier release that used rods and links.

Lon Salgren
Top-Down Solutions

chazman

iTrader: (4)

I seem to be getting more tension when I mount it to the top hole.

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

You are also causing extra wear on the cable because it isn't properly aligned with the hole it us being pulled through. Extra tension is not the goal, securing and releasing the tonneau pin should be your goal.

You mentioned that a screw was missing. As I recall there are only two of those screws that secure the tonneau pin to the underside of the tonneau. That could be the problem, the pin is cocked and not entering the hole properly. Also did you check the condition of the groove in the pin yhat the spring enters to latch the pin? And wear or burrs on that edge of the groove?

I have that pin available if yours is damaged.

Lon Salgren
Top-Down Solutions

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Thanks Lon. Will look it over again when I get home.

BTW, the tonneau pin isn't missing a screw, the missing screw is in the frame as pictured in my poor quality pic. There is a little play in the frame top, which I'm wondering if is enough to put the pin slightly out of alignment.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

It was this adjustment all along. One missing screw one loose screw on the back of the convertible top frame.


Lon, would you have any correct replacement torx screws?

my82roc

iTrader: (101)

If he doesn't I have it.I have 4 spare top frames for parts

chazman

iTrader: (4)

If you wouldn't mind the hassle of selling one screw, I'd appreciate it!

my82roc

iTrader: (101)

No problem...I haven't had a chance to get out in the shed.Ill look over the weekend for the screw

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Thanks! Better pic.

chazman

iTrader: (4)

Was able to find the exact Allen screw and washer at my local hardware store today. All fixed!