hard top won't attach

[Thelma04]

I have a 2004 Tbird with a hard top which I bought used. When I put the hard top on, I have trouble (only once have been succesful after many atempts) getting the left front screw to engage and tighten down. Does anyone else have this trouble and any suggestions?

[George]

Hi and Welcome Thelma04:
Let me post here, some wisdom related to your issue, that I have picked up over the years from another owner. I'll cut and paste below what I had saved on my TBird file:

"For those of you having problems installing the hard top, you can pull the plastic piece off the front of the hardtop to adjust the pins.
Pull the plastic piece straight out from both sides, don't hesitate it is not going to break. After removing the plastic piece, use your hard top tool to loosen the 3 screws just enough to allow the front pins to slide freely. Lift the hardtop onto the car letting the back pins drop in freely, then guide the front pins into the holes on the front windshield. The pins will still be loose, so the top front pins should slide in easily. After your top is secure, retighten the 3 screws on each side and push the long plastic piece back into it's slots. Then follow the instructions for hardtop installation now that you have the top sitting securely on the car.
You really shouldn't ever have to do this again in the following years, because the adjustment you just made should be a perfect fit.
This adjustment works well for all those that may have had a hard top rattle also.

NOTE/HINT:
No picture necessary. The plastic header is where the soft upholstery of the inner roof of the hardtop meets (stops) at the front near the windshield, that's it. Once you've removed it, (it's held in place by sturdy clips) you will see the three screws on the left and right sides you can loosen. Once loosened, you can move the recepters for the single screws into alignment with the single screws that hold the hardtop in place. Tighten the single screws on both sides, then tighten the three screws on both sides. Voila', the hardtop is now custom-fitted to your car."

Although I have never had to do this adjustment, I saved it in the event I bought a Silver top. So, let us know how this works out for you