Convertible top screw

[ROG]

I am unable to release the screw from the torneau cover. I am not sure if it's electric, the release buttom or the motor it's self. Is there a way to release the screw?
Thanks RO'G

[Sandy]

Try this:

have person
#1 stand by switch, behind driver's seat. You disconnect one trerminal from battery. Then as you reconnect that post to the terminal, at the same moment, have person #1 push the release button top (or upward). Sometimes this works. Otherwise you are in deep S_ _ _.
It cAnnOt be released w/out damaging something !

This is why I have said over and over again, to never ever hold that button all the way to the end of the travel of the big faT screw's travel downward, and to ALWAYS leave enough room where the roof cloth material sits on the tonneau dead center back, to roll a pencil under, and into the car.
THAT WAY......WHEN THIS HAPPENS (AND IT WILL) .....YOU THEN HAVE THE OPTION TO PUSH THE BUTTON THE OTHER DIRECTION.......WHICH WILL FREE IT UP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NEVER EVER HOLD THE BUTTON TO THE END OF THE TRAVEL ROTATION! LEAVE ROOM TO ROLL A PENCIL INTO THE REAR SEAT AREA.

[ProTouringASC]

Frequently, if the top motor fails to start, you can get it started by hitting the top frame right above the screw, with your fist. Don't try to kill it, but a good whack will usually do the trick.

If this fails to get it going, you can come down to Fredrick, MD, and we'll have a look at it. I bet that we can get it without any damage. As I work during the week, it would have to be on a weekend of course, but a little help for a fellow asc guy... well, you can buy the pizza!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[AlanG]

I just spent three hours fixing my motor this weekend. My top motor was getting slower and sometimes didn't work at all. You will need to have the cover open to perform this. First unplug the two wires that go to the screw motor, then take large snap ring pliers and take the snap ring and plastic washer off the bottom of the motor housing, this will free up the pin drum so you can get the motor out with the housing still attached. undo the three nuts(10mm) that hold the motor and slide the motor down and out past the cross bar that is right under the motor. This will take time and patience.
Now you can take the motor off the housing and clean the brushes and make sure the pin drum spins free in the housing, as this was the cause of all my trouble. I had to take 100grit sandpaper and sand the aluminum housing, NOT the plastic drum. I think the plastic swells over time causing it to bind in the housing.
This was no walk in the park but it now works better than ever.

[ROG]

Thanks for all the help I will let you know how it goes.

ROG

[Sandy]

Oops, I recalled something else that SOMETIMES works!!!

Take the pressure OFF of the big screw, by pivoting (CAREFULLY) the two
release levers located 1 under each sun visor, by turning each towards the rear view mirror Then, GENTLY push up, using an open plam & push each side up
, like 1/2 an inch. Then try the switch in the rear quarter panel. By lessening the pressure ON the big screw, it sometimes will then spin. Good Luck !!

[hanksgt]

And if we break it, what car did it orginally come out of so we can get a used one?

Oops, I recalled something else that SOMETIMES works!!!

Take the pressure OFF of the big screw, by pivoting (CAREFULLY) the two
release levers located 1 under each sun visor, by turning each towards the rear view mirror Then, GENTLY push up, using an open plam & push each side up
, like 1/2 an inch. Then try the switch in the rear quarter panel. By lessening the pressure ON the big screw, it sometimes will then spin. Good Luck !!

[shelbyscarab]

I am unable to release the screw from the torneau cover. I am not sure if it's electric, the release buttom or the motor it's self. Is there a way to release the screw?
Thanks RO'G

OH, that is annoying. Been there. It usually happens on the perfect convertible days........ It happens about once a season for me. I've found that after I've cussed at it for 20 min. if I walk away and come back and try it, it works. Once the the top motor has started to unscrew the top I slip my hand under it near the screw and "help" the motor release the top. I've never had any problems with the windshield releases behind the visors.....

[ROG]

So far I am having NO luck with releasing the screw. Since I can not open the cover I had to remove the back section of the interior just to attempt to release it or disengage the motor I have no luck. Any other suggestions. Thanks again ROG

[ProTouringASC]

So far I am having NO luck with releasing the screw. Since I can not open the cover I had to remove the back section of the interior just to attempt to release it or disengage the motor I have no luck. Any other suggestions. Thanks again ROG

Pick a weekend and make a road trip!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

[AlanG]

Do you have power to the tonneau selonoid? If your tonneau cover is releasing but the screw pin will not come up then the pin drum is stuck in the housing like mine was.
If your tonneau is releasing, try this to get the screw to release.
don't laugh it worked for me, get a can of computer duster, hold the can upside down so the freezing cold liquid comes out. put the red spray extention as close to the screw pin as you can and give it a good long blast of freezing liquid. as quick as you can push the button to release the screw. Let me know if it works for you.

[mdrivera]

To release the screw pin.From the inside there are two 11 mm screws you can take them out and push out on the bottom of the frame and lift up on the top then you can unscrew the pin by hand.If you can hear the motor spin but does not release the screw pin your plastic gear inside the motor is bad and the only fix that I have found is to send it to Henry to rebuild it

[mrheehee]

Wow I am glad I read this thread and took the advice of not running it down all the way. As I took the top down today it didn't want to come up, it would part way and then stop before releasing the post. It came up up little, and I hadn't closed it tight so I was able to get my fingers under it and help it out. I had to run it up and down to get it to release. With the post out it runs the motor much faster going up than down. So I think I'll take it off and check it out -

Thanks !!!

[Sandy]

First, I don't think that i'd wanna take it apart.

When raising the roof, place the big fat screw at the roof's rear hem, into the hole on the tonneau cover, by the chrome plate. Palm of hand open, gently push down, on the roof's material, right above the screw, until you hear ONE CLICK, then let go. Standing on the car's passenger side, with left hand finge on the switch,on the rear quarter panel, place right hand's fingers UNDER the roof's hem, as far as you can reach, going around the bend, from the side, towards the rear centermost position. Then push on the button. When you feel the roof tightening on you fingers.... STOP, as in let go og the switch. This should leave you enough room to roll a cigarette or a standard pencil UNDER the roof's hem.

She will always break (as in stop working) on the RELEASE, or when you wanna put the top DOWN. By leaving yourself the ability to change direction, (when it does not want to release) and having the ability to reverse to button - as if you want to put the top UP .... it will free (release) the screw from being stuck. Once it then pulls it down, nice & tight, you immediately REVERSE it and put the top down.




















first

[mrheehee]

yes that's exactly what happened, and your advice about not running it down all the way saved me. But I'm pretty handy with such thing, I've owned a lot a British cars with Lucas electrics (Lucas - Home Before Dark!) and I've rebuilt all manner of switches and motors.

Anyway thanks for the info it is a lifesaver -

Can you tell me how the cockpit cover you bought worked out?

Thanks!