Anyone have a video or description of how my top should open? I had it replaced due to some tears. The elastic bands were also wearing down, and it would not open all the way; it would get stuck about 3/4 down, and just stop going into the hatch. (At least this is the reason they gave me, and said the new bands would come with the new top). No mechanical components were replaced.

I opened it when I got home, and it goes back like normal, then gets to the 3/4 way point and goes really slowly and appears like it is stopping again, but then all of a sudden jumps down into the hatch. Not very smooth. Is this normal, and the way it was operating previously was not normal, due to the bad straps?

 

found this via the old forgotten method often referred to in ancient times as "googling" or "searching" on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S4sbfBT8Q0

 

From your description, it sounds like the 5th Bow drive unit joints and sliding parts may need to be cleaned and lubricated. As the top is heading down into the hatch, the rear (window) section must contract fully and tightly. This action, along with the elastic straps, help the top fold fully and smoothly so that the whole assembly doesn't bind on the way into the hatch.

All of the numerous top drive motors are of the same type as the infamous power window units (read just barely strong enough). Any extra friction in the dozens of joints, gears, and actuators in the top mechanism will strain and burn up the brushes in the motors making them even slower and weaker, compounding the problem. Ever two or so years, I remove all the various access covers and do a complete top mechanism lubrication. Afterwards I swear the top folds faster and the electric motors spin up to speed with a snappier, happier, sound.

 

mine get stuck at 15-16 seconds sometimes... i gotta bring it in in the spring

 

LULZ