does anyone have a problem with their soft top in cold weather where it doesnt go down all the way?? has anyone fixed this problem?

 

I've really only had this problem in cooler weather.When it's warm out the boot fits fine,if it's cold I need to push the top down another inch after I drop it.

 

This will be the first winter for my S, so I can't relate personally. But how cold is cold? If the top isn't going down all the way, then it could be because the vinyl isn't as pliable when it's cold, so it's not folding as compact as normal. I believe the owners manual says something about not dropping the top when it's cold, although if I remember correctly, it was speaking of more extreme cold conditions.

Forcing the top down when it's cold might not be good for it, especially if the top is really cold.

 

Don't know if this is the same problem or not...

Mine started not going down all the way a few months ago. It would crank down fine, but just stop about 2-3" higher than normal, and no amount of manual pushing on it would budge it.

After looking at it carefully, I noticed there was a fold of top material that seemed out of place, and was getting stuck between the frame where it folds in on itself on either side of the top. If I lowered the top 3/4 of the way, then got out of the car and tucked the top material properly, it would lower all the way down.

I later found out that I can do this without getting out of the car. There is a support bar that runs left to right accross the top, about a foot behind the front edge of the top. It's covered in top material, but bulges out on the inside of the top.

When I lower the top, I stop it when this support bar is at roll-bar height, then reach back and grab the bar and pull it downward. It moves down about 2-3 inches. Then I lower the top all the way, and it goes down like it should. If I don't "adjust" this support bar, it's higher position causes the top material to fold funny and jam in between the folding framework. Wierd.

 

Dude, you live in SO Cal!!!! It doesn't get cold enough here to affect the softop operation. It should work fine.

 

I just started having this problem when the temperatures got down below 50-55 or so. Dampness may be present too, though I don't know if that's a cause or not. I'll check the crossbar next time it happens to see if that's the cause. Has anyone talked to a dealer about this? Doesn't seem like temps in the 50's should have that kind of effect...

 

While driving with the top down in cool and even cold weather is a blast, raising the top afterwards can be a problem. The top material shrinks in the cooler weather. I don't recommend forcing it down. Instead take a few minutes to warm the top material.

The lows are now into the low 50s and below in Michigan. This past weekend I tried putting up my top for the first time in more than a month. Quess what? The latches would not reach or line up just right. The solution was easy:

Raise the top without attempting to latch. Turn-on the car heater, windows up, and direct all the heat through the dash board vents pointing upwards inside the car. Within a minute or two the top material was warmed enough that it would streatch and latch without a problem.

Another trick is to heat the top using a hair dryer. I know people in MGs that have forced the top down and been very sorry -- their front windshield broke as a result.

 

is there anyway to fix this problem