After putting my car on jackstands this weekend and doing routine maintenance, I noticed that the top does not align itself properly anymore.

In the past I would only have to pop the latches into place and be on my way. Now I have to pull and tug the top into place. I am very concerned with this new problem.

Has anyone else experienced this?

BTW, the top was down while I was servicing the car.

Thanks,

Jay

 

Is it out of alignment as if the top doesn't meet the top of the windshield when you've closed it all the way with the button? or is it that the latches are off centre from the areas they attach to?

With mine, they line up, but the top usually stops half an inch before the windshield... thats what the little black handle is for... you gently pull it forward that half-inch to meet the windshield, then clamp it down..

 

I too had a small gap between the latches and the top of the windshield.

Now there is a bigger gap between the latches and the top of the windshield. Also, the latches seem to be left of center. This misalignment causes a part of the latch to strike the bracket-thing on the windshield with a big "bang".

 

Hmm... I don't see how you having your car up on jackstands could have done this though. I know that when my top is folded down for more than 12 hours, it never closes that easily afterwords.

But if I have it down for an hour or two and go to put it back up, it just falls into place.

 

If your latch is striking the bracket when you are putting up the hood, my guess is that your hood is coming up far enough. Otherwise, I'd say the motor stop should be adjusted.

It sounds like your frame got a little twisted. You may want to carefully try to twist it back. I wouldn't put a great deal of force, but enough to get it to not be left of center. Once straight, then the motor stops may bring the top up further.

Is it possible that someone tried to retract the hood with one of the latches still catching?

 

I have similar problem after the accident. before, 2yrs usage never have yield it. I'm too little concerned.

 

No, I can't think of one time where that might have happened.

After looking at the situation more closely. Not only is the top left of center, it is also extending beyond the bracket on the windshield by just a little bit. This is where I getting the "bang" from.

When the top is closing, the metal rounded cone shaped piece on the binder is supposed to guide the top into alignment when it reaches the bracket on the windshield. It is kind of self aligning, since the windshield bracket is like a "cup". Instead, the metal rounded cone shape piece on the binder is extending beyond the "cup" of the bracket on the windshield. This prevents the top from falling into alignment and causes the big bang.

So, now that I think I know what is happening. I am going to try to adjust my windshield brackets to accept the new tweaked top without this big "bang"

Hopefully this will not cause more wind noise.

Jay