Securing Hardtop

[catales]

After a summer of enjoying top down weather in my '04 T'Bird, I went to replace the hardtop for winter storage with the car. My brother and I put it on together but can't seem to get the front screws to catch the threads of the front part of the roof to tighten it down. They seem not to be long enough. What are we doing wrong?

[George]

Catales:
Try this; (1) Make sure the top's rear locking levers are pushed all the way to the rear.

(2) Lower the top's rear pins into their receivers. Then lower the front of the top onto the front mounting points. Pull the rear locking levers half way toward the front; the pins will drop further into the receiving holes. The locking tabs on the front corners of the hardtop should line up with the mounting casings on the top corners of the windshield. At each corner, use the top tool to push the locking bolt up through the casing and into the receiver hole in the locking tab. If the bolt doesn't slide easily into the hole, you'll need a custom fit. If it does slide in, give it a few turns to engage the threads. If the bolt doesn't engage easily, with minimal pressure, then you'll need a custom fit.

If the above doesn't work, let me know and I'll get you the custom fit instructrions.

[catales]

Thank you, we'll give it a shot.

[George]

catales, How did you make out?? Just curious.

[catales]

Car is in storage and I haven't had a chance to get to it and try out your suggestion. Before we put it away I think we tried every combination including leaning on the front corners with two 200lb guys and could not get the screws to start threading on to the top.

[Quickdraw]

Originally Posted by catales

Car is in storage and I haven't had a chance to get to it and try out your suggestion. Before we put it away I think we tried every combination including leaning on the front corners with two 200lb guys and could not get the screws to start threading on to the top.

Just for the heck of it I put the hardtop on my 2002 for the second time in eight years. I couldn't get the front screws started either until I un-did the rear locking clamps.

[00mustng]

.....I've always screwed down the front first....before clamping down the rear....makes for a good fit....

[catales]

I'll be putting the top back in the fall and I'll try that. Still, it doesn't look like a lot of the screw (maybe 3/4 of an inch) is visable. Are your screws as short?

[00mustng]

...I would term the screws to be short.....just make sure the threads take hold....press the corner of the roof while using the tool....you will feel when the threads line up and take hold....I know...I've been spinning away with the tool and wondering what the heck?...now realizing the threads need to be lined up and may need a little pressure applied....