Again the pull down motor

kman73 · Post by **kman73** » Wed May 27, 2009 5:58 pm

I have a 1989 Mustang #52. The motor turns both ways when the screw is not in. I took the screw off the top, put it in the hole with no pressure on it and it will draw it in and push it back out. As soon as I put even a little pressure on it stops and will not move. Any thoughts?

tfs2121 · Post by **tfs2121** » Wed May 27, 2009 8:29 pm

time to have the motor rebuilt

ProTouringASC · Post by **ProTouringASC** » Thu May 28, 2009 11:10 am

Yup, sounds like you have a bad $322 nylon gear.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

kman73 · Post by **kman73** » Fri May 29, 2009 2:44 am

Thanks for the input. One thing I should have added, it feels and like the motor has very little power.

shelbyscarab · Post by **shelbyscarab** » Fri May 29, 2009 5:03 pm

ProTouringASC wrote:Yup, sounds like you have a bad $322 nylon gear.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

My God, is that what those cost? cheese and rice. I tell ya, those things are touchy. I am very careful with mine. I "help" it when its in operation going up or down, very gently. I've had about 4-5 times in the last 15 years where I couldn't raise the screw to take the top down. After waiting 30+ minutes, it magically works.

You have to admit, there are a number of bad "designs" built into our cars.

Post by **negusm** » Fri May 29, 2009 5:39 pm

What fails on the gear? Is it the teeth or the shaft?

I imagine putting in a metal gear would chew up whatever is driving or being driven by this nylon gear.

Has anyone found gear replacements?

-Mike

ProTouringASC · Post by **ProTouringASC** » Fri May 29, 2009 6:10 pm

negusm wrote:What fails on the gear? Is it the teeth or the shaft?

I imagine putting in a metal gear would chew up whatever is driving or being driven by this nylon gear.

Has anyone found gear replacements?

-Mike

The motor itself appears to be some sort of power window motor, probably for an import of some sort as it's made by ND. As for the gear itself, I haven't found anyone but Hank who has them, and he only "rebuilds" the motors, though he says that the only thing that ever really goes wrong is the gear.

It's the gear that fails, the design is pretty straight forward, and I'd be willing to be money the gear is a standard part, but I just can't seem to find where it's from.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Fri May 29, 2009 6:21 pm

I think I was told that it's a trunk pull-down motor from Cadillacs.

Post by **negusm** » Fri May 29, 2009 7:14 pm

Anybody got a junk gear that I could play with?

There are a lot of websites with nylon gears on them you cna buy in bulk.

-Mike

ProTouringASC · Post by **ProTouringASC** » Sat May 30, 2009 1:31 am

negusm wrote:Anybody got a junk gear that I could play with?

There are a lot of websites with nylon gears on them you cna buy in bulk.

-Mike

PM me your address, I'll send you the one that just broke in mine.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

ProTouringASC · Post by **ProTouringASC** » Sat May 30, 2009 1:33 am

Sandy wrote:I think I was told that it's a trunk pull-down motor from Cadillacs.

I think that's the earlier pull down for the cover, not the later ones with the screw down motor.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

Kentennis · Post by **Kentennis** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 3:17 pm

Mine is an '86. The pulldown motor and parts were replaced by a guy in Margate, Fl. He told me the parts came from a Cadillac trunk mechanism. They may have changed in later years. I've had to adjust mine and when I did I found the hex head adjusting screw was loose. Heisman showed me what to do. He's only 27 miles away!

NEVER try to slam the top into the hole!!

Another 'tip', put the top up and don't latch the front until the back is down and engaged. then stretch the top and latch the front. Way easier than doing it the other way.

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:46 pm

That's what it says in the ascMcLaren Mustang (87-90) convertible top operating booklet.

that is to secure the pull down at the rear of the rear bow, BEFORE securing the handles under the sun visors.

NOTE FROM SANDY: Those handles are POT METAL and can AND WILL snap off in your hand. If they are fighting you and are hard to secure, your pins are not all the way down in the hole. DO NOT pull down on the plastic piece under the visors, it's thin and cheap and will CRACK off in your hand !! Get out of the car and push down with your open palm ON the roof material above where the pin is on the interior !

shelbyscarab · Post by **shelbyscarab** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 12:06 pm

Hi all.....

I guess I'm the umpteenth victim of the pull down motor. Last night I could not get my pull down motor to release the anchoring screw. (It was a beautiful evening and I was looking forward to driving home from the restaurant with the top down - nope, wasn't gonna happen.)

Anyway, is Hank the sole source for these? Are they rebuilt units or new?

Sandy, if they are cadillac trunk motors, can one be purchased through GM or get one at a junk yard?

Its been touchy a few times in the past, but I've always gotten it through those times.

The switch works fine, and the tonneau cover releases fine, it just wont let go of the screw.

ProTouringASC · Post by **ProTouringASC** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 1:36 pm

Sandy wrote:That's what it says in the ascMcLaren Mustang (87-90) convertible top operating booklet.
that is to secure the pull down at the rear of the rear bow, BEFORE securing the handles under the sun visors.

NOTE FROM SANDY: Those handles are POT METAL and can AND WILL snap off in your hand.

By the way, the front latches ares Mercedes Benz pieces with the lever welded/soldered/whatever on.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

ascMcLaren Enthusiasts

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