Body - Various Convertible Top Alignment Issues
61 Convertible top adjustment options
61 10 09
2015779/6
November 18, 2010.
Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 61 number 10-01 dated March 12, 2010 for reasons listed below.
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Affected Vehicles
Condition
The convertible top latches do not engage end plates on windshield frame. Latch hooks meet end plates too far rearward.
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
The following TSB describes areas of the convertible top to check and adjust to remedy possible top alignment issues.
PRODUCTION SOLUTION
Not applicable.
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WARRANTY
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
All parts and service references provided in this TSB are subject to change and/or removal. Always check with your Parts Department and service
manuals for the latest information.
Service
SERVICE
IF the vehicle exhibits this condition, check the following points and adjust if necessary:
1. The distance between the windshield frame and the front edge of the roof.
This should be measured after initial opening of the top, when the front latch motor V223 has stopped after unlatching but before the hydraulic pump
begins operating.
-Specification for basic setting = 35 mm (Tolerance =/- 5 mm)
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2. The distance between the roof panel and body (windscreen trim panel) after the top is fully opened.
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Adjustment of the flap opening angle is critical particularly after replacement of the flap motors. This adjustment is checked by establishing a gap
of 9.6 mm between the flap and the wind deflector. If a fully open flap is in contact with a raised wind deflector (0 mm) or less than 9.6 mm, the
flap has opened over-center.
Note:
If the flaps open over-center, the flap motors will be damaged when closing.
Disconnect the connecting rod at the flap end so that the flap moves independently of the motor. Avoid moving the motor arm manually. Allow the
flap to rest in the up position. Locate the fine adjustment screw.
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With the wind deflector raised, check the gap between the flap trim and the wind deflector as shown in the illustration. It should be 9.6 mm. Using a
3 mm Allen Wrench, adjust the fine adjustment screw until this gap is achieved.
Establish the basic setting for the overall length of the connecting rod. It should be between 105.8 mm and 106.6 mm. Adjust as necessary.
Reconnect the connecting rod. If the basic adjustment of the connecting rod is correct and if the flap to wind deflector gap is adjusted correctly, the
connecting rod should align with both ball connections.
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Operate the complete convertible top cycle 2 or 3 times. Recheck the flap to wind deflector gap. Readjust if necessary.
3. The position of the main bearing mounting bolts.
Tip: The main bearing bolts are to be torqued to 36 Nm.
Before the main bearing bolts are loosened, the main bearing depth screw (Figure 12) should be moved downward until it makes contact with the
body (approx. 2-3 rotations).
This maintains the main bearing height during adjustment. Additionally, the main bearing may need to be moved forward. For this reason, the
tension straps must also be loosened to allow for this movement.
Position of the main mounting bolts
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Loosen mounting bolts and inspect position. The position of the main bearing mounting bolts with respect to height should be centrally located in the
holes in the bearing.
4. Distance of main bearing to body.
After adjustment at the main bearing is complete, the main bearing depth screw must be backed off so that there is no contact between this screw and
the body. Contact will cause a creaking noise.
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Measuring point: Main bearing to body
^ This distance should be equal between the left and right side.
^ Specification for basic setting of distance front to rear (Figure 15, A to Figure 15, B) = 30 mm
^ Specification for basic setting of height (bottom of body cavity and point B) = 285 mm
5. Convertible top frame travel limit screw.
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a. Apply Plastelin or Butyl on the screw heads to determine if the frame travel is being limited by the screw. The frame may make contact with the
screw but should not prevent appropriate forward movement (e.g. central engagement of the top latch hooks to the end plates) during operation.
b. Cycle the top, check distance between frame and screw and adjust if necessary. It is important to note that as this screw is adjusted toward the
rear the top frame travels more forward. Conversely, if the adjustment screw is moved toward the front the top travel is limited more rearward.
Make adjustments only 1 full turn at a time and recheck the latch hook engagement after each top cycle.
c. If there is no contact between the frame and the screw apply a suitable amount of Plastelin or Butyl or, as an alternative, a piece of felt to
determine the gap.
d. Adjust both sides.
6. Adjustment of the tension straps.
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Adjust the tension straps. The correct amount of tension to the straps prevents the front latch hooks from hitting the end plates at the windshield
frame. Correct adjustment softens the meeting of the latch hooks at the end of the closing cycle.
The adjustments are made behind the trunk trim. Turning clockwise increases the tension and slows the drop of the front of the roof at the end of the
closing cycle. Be cautious not to create too much tension. This could cause the front latch and motor to be incapable of pulling the top closed.
Tip: The main bearing bolts are to be torqued to 36 Nm. After adjustment at the main bearing is complete the main bearing depth screw must be
backed off such that there is no contact with the body. Any contact between this screw and the body creates a creaking noise.
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If these adjustments are made and the condition persists, please open a TAC ticket.
