Top Adjustment?

Echo · Jan 9, 2013

So my vert top is sagging on the passenger side above the window. Is this something that an adjustment will fix, or does it look like I'll need to have the hardware replaced? About how much should an adjustment cost or is it something I could maybe figure out on my own(with ample help from someone here, of course....?

)

Sorry about the huuuge pictures....

joekd · Jan 9, 2013

So the fabric itself is sagging or is the top frame bent?

Echo · Jan 9, 2013

Pics up above. I've posted this issue on another forum before and was told it could likely just be adjusted, but I don't really trust another forum as much as this one at this point. The fabric is fine it's the top frame itself. At one point someone sent me a link to the manual detailing how to adjust the top, but I didn't understand the terminology, which would have been okay if it had been accompanied by some decent pictures. Just really hoping I won't need to replace the hardware, figure an adjustment is more fiscally do-able for me.

Twista · Jan 9, 2013

Ouch =[

Echo · Jan 9, 2013

Yup ouch is right. Its messed up the window too so now I need a new regulator and motor there too, but I need to fix the top first.

Echo · Jan 17, 2013

So I pulled the headliner off some and took a look around. Doesn't look like anything is bent.

Someone quoted this on another forum, which I've found these instructions before but never with pictures. Apparently it's out of the ford service manual. Does anyone have these instructions with pictures include, or have a manual they could scan for me? I found the V-cam thing that s mentioned but can't really make too much sense of the rest. I think I need to adjust the top forward to where my latch meets up with my windshield properly, then adjust the V-cam thing. Anyone that might be able to walk me through this in layman's terms?

Top Linkage Alignment (Taken from Stangnet)

Stand behind the vehicle and visually sight across the folding top rear number 4 bow (51278). The height of the folding top rear number 4 bow should be even side-to-side. If not even, adjust as follows:

1. Remove rear seat. Refer to Â«Section 01-10Â».

2. Remove quarter trim panel (31012). Refer to Â«Section 01-05Â».

3. Remove screws retaining roof headlining (51916) to folding top rail pivot bracket link (506A68) and rear tacking strip.

Folding Top Rail Pivot Bracket Link

Rear Tacking Strip Attachment

4. Disengage roof headlining retainer (50980) from folding roof rear side rail (53138).

5. While holding roof headliner elastic strap, remove screw retaining strap tofolding top center rail (51154). Install a hooked metal rod through hole in elastic strip and slowly release tension on elastic strip.

6. Note position of V-notch on pivot adjusting cam and remove set screw. Rotate adjusting cam so V-notch is aligned toward rear of vehicle.

7. Loosen two bolts at bottom of folding top rail pivot bracket link. Then push down on folding top rail pivot bracket link to raise rear of folding top center rail. Tighten folding top rail pivot bracket link bolts.

8. Rotate adjusting cam forward until V-notch in adjusting cam is aligned upward.

9. To install set screw, rotate adjusting cam slightly to align with the closest set screw retaining hole and install screw.

10. If folding top front side rail (53104) and folding top center rail are not parallel at pivot point after this adjustment, loosen retaining side rail set screw lock nut.

11. Rotate set screw in or out until folding top front side rail and folding top center rails are parallel at pivot point and tighten lock nut.

Echo · Jan 19, 2013

So at this point I've figured out how to adjust the area above the window, but the issue is getting the edge of the roof to meet with the top of my windshield. Took my guarter panel trim + backseat out today trying to figure out how to manage this, but came up empty. Anyone know how to adjust the roof forward so the edge meets the windshield properly?

poisonbl · Jan 20, 2013

Well, this is a crappy, unadjusted, mess of photos of the manual for that section (no scanner handy, and too much of a headache to crop and clean this down to the sizes it should be at the moment)...

http://poisonbl.freeshell.org/mari/vertadjust/

Apologies for the auto-rotate my camera decided to do on some parts but not others.

If you need any other sections, let me know and I'll see what I can do, but at the moment... off to the store for some headache pills for me. Thank goodness they're open 24hrs.

Echo · Jan 22, 2013

poisonbl said:
Well, this is a crappy, unadjusted, mess of photos of the manual for that section (no scanner handy, and too much of a headache to crop and clean this down to the sizes it should be at the moment)...

http://poisonbl.freeshell.org/mari/vertadjust/

Apologies for the auto-rotate my camera decided to do on some parts but not others.

If you need any other sections, let me know and I'll see what I can do, but at the moment... off to the store for some headache pills for me. Thank goodness they're open 24hrs.

This looks to be exactly what I need man. At work now so can't really take a good look but mucho apreciate it. Been searching the web for weeks trying to find this with pictures. Actually had my rear seat out and was messing around in there a day ago to see if I could just figure it out and no luck. After this I may just have to give in and take it to a shop.

poisonbl · Jan 22, 2013

Well, if you need any other pages, or a different/cleaner view of anything there, let me know. I have the full shop manual, and I can actually see straight today (excedrine's a godsend)... although I won't be back at home with all that available 'til around 6pm eastern.

Echo · Jan 22, 2013

poisonbl said:
Well, if you need any other pages, or a different/cleaner view of anything there, let me know. I have the full shop manual, and I can actually see straight today (excedrine's a godsend)... although I won't be back at home with all that available 'til around 6pm eastern.

From what I skimmed, looks like you've included everything I needed. Flipping the pages is no biggie, and quality is plenty good to read. I'll be able to take a better look at it today to make sure but I really appreciate it. Like I said Ive been stalking forums for weeks trying to find this. All i ever found was 4 year old threads with someone saying you could e-mail them for the pictures. What is the actual name of the book? I may look into buying myself one off ebay or something for the future.