So I picked up my brand new baby yesterday, and I am very much in love already, but I have a question about the top latch. It doesn't appear to be lined up quite right. To get it to latch, I have to pull down on the hook (The orange part) just a little bit to get it to clear the mounting post that it hooks into. The salesman said it should porbably loosen up, because being a showroom only car, it hadn't had the top up since it left the truck. I didn't really have a choice but to take his word for it, because I had to drive 3 hours there and back to the dealer to pick it up, and the Service department was already closed (my salesman was the only one left at the dealership at 2:00 on Saturday afternoon)
So my question is: Does this sound normal for a new top, and will it loosen up, or should I go to a local dealer and have them adjust it?
I wouldnt pull down on the latch....use your other hand to guide the roof closed...pulling on the forward edge of the frame..and then lock it with the latch...not quite sure I can picture by having to pull down on the latch..also..remember to always leave the latch in the open position when storing the top in the clamshell..otherwise it will get bent.....perhaps that could be the problem since the dealership lowered it once and may have closed the latch when they did
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So I picked up my brand new baby yesterday, and I am very much in love already, but I have a question about the top latch. It doesn't appear to be lined up quite right. To get it to latch, I have to pull down on the hook (The orange part) just a little bit to get it to clear the mounting post that it hooks into. The salesman said it should porbably loosen up, because being a showroom only car, it hadn't had the top up since it left the truck. I didn't really have a choice but to take his word for it, because I had to drive 3 hours there and back to the dealer to pick it up, and the Service department was already closed (my salesman was the only one left at the dealership at 2:00 on Saturday afternoon)
So my question is: Does this sound normal for a new top, and will it loosen up, or should I go to a local dealer and have them adjust it?
No it's not normal, It won't get better. I suspect that being that it sat on the showroom floor, the top was put down and stowed in the clamshell with the latch in the wrong position and the hook is bent.
Mines the same way I have to use my finger to pull down on the hook. I'll have to take in to get it fixed. But, I can't stop driving it long enough to do that yet.
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Didn't think about the hook being bent by the dealer. The roof is far enough forward, because its up to the rubber bushings on the side posts.
My first post probably made it sound worse than it actually is. I dont have to put hardly any force on the hook, but obviously it should require any force period. I just didn't know if anyone else had a similar new top problem. I'll just take it to a local dealer tomorrow and see if it really is damaged or if it can be adjusted a little.
I had the same problem the first tim I put my hood down, and forgot to make sure the latch was in the proper position.
I used some pliars and was able to bend it back a little, but it was still hard.
After driving around with the top up for a while, it's now fine.
So, try bending it back a bit, and see if that helps.
I woudln't drive 3 hours to have the dealer fix it.
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Use a large crescent wrench and slip it on the latch lengthwise and gently pull down. Works like a charm, I bent mine once before I got clued in.
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I'm sure that the top was put down with the latch out, because there is some orange paint on the trunk latch. I don't think I'm brave enough to try to fix it myself, so I'll just take it in.
Yes it can be fixed. Take a rag crumpled up over the hook and gently bend it the direction you need (down I think?). Couple of tries is all it took and mine is perfect now. If you don't feel safe doing it have dealer do it.
Latch must be in OUT position to stow the top. Dealer needs to know it too since they most likely bent it slamming trunk on hook when it came in.
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I think it's comments like this that confuse people.
When you say the latch needs to be OUT, I think some people think that the hook needs to be sticking out.
This is NOT the case.
The hook needs to be IN.
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Ok I do understand to leave the latch in the open position when storing the top. However do you leave it like that the whole time or do you put in the closed position after you close the clamshell?
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press the key fob button
open the trunk
go in car
unlatch middle latch and KEEP OPEN
put top in trunk
make sure it is in
close trunk
get in car
depress cluch
turn on car
let warm
put in 1st
let go of clutch with gas
drive
dont forget to signal
Ok I do understand to leave the latch in the open position when storing the top. However do you leave it like that the whole time or do you put in the closed position after you close the clamshell?
Leave it open whole time (can't change it anyway once the top is folded)
__________________ 2006 VIN #30, first 1000 series, black exterior, sand/steel interior
Index of useful threads: General, Tech
Will someone PLEASE post the absolute correct way to store the top!!!
Ron
What I do to stow the top...
1) turn latch to open position and leave it alone
2) pop trunk
3) get out and open trunk all the way
4) fold top into trunk, push on end of top to seat fully into trunk
5) close trunk
I guess 1 and 2 are interchangeable (could pop trunk 1st and then unlatch I guess). Where people get in trouble is they add extra step of closing latch/lever back into slot before folding.
__________________ 2006 VIN #30, first 1000 series, black exterior, sand/steel interior
Index of useful threads: General, Tech
