Service Procedure

Begin the repair by disconnecting the battery to avoid unnecessary battery drain. Now proceed as follows:

A. Remove original headliner.

1. Pull all Velcro attachments loose, including those at the rear window and "C" post areas.

2. Disconnect the snaps retaining the top storage area cover (slingwell) along the sides and across the rear.

3. Pull two lower headliner elastic double snaps away at lower rear window area.

4. Pull two upper headliner snaps away from upper rear window area.

5. Working from back to front of vehicle, remove the five horizontally mounted screws holding the plastic retainer from the back side of the third bow. This will allow the headliner to fall to the second bow.

6. Remove five vertically mounted screws in plastic retainer from the bottom of the second bow. Repeat this step for the first bow.

7. Remove seven horizontally mounted screws in plastic retainer from header.

8. Remove headliner. Set 22 screws aside for new headliner installation.



B. Silencer pad trimming procedure

1. Working over the rear seat back, disconnect all of the snaps retaining the top storage area cover (slingwell) along the sides and across the rear.

2. Gather slingwell forward to expose the silencer padding underneath.


3. Note at the rear of the silencer pad (at the trunk bulkhead), the pad curves upward against the bulkhead.

Mark the pad along a line where the shelf meets the bulkhead, across the entire width. Using a suitable cutting tool, cut away the upturned strip of padding along this line. Remove and discard the strip of material.
4. Cut away a rear inner triangular section of the wheelhouse silencer (both sides), starting at the rear outboard corner. The cut should extend from the rear outboard corner on a line inboard and forward of the trunk bulkhead to the top of the second notch in the silencer, (about 6" to 7" forward of the bulkhead).



B. Silencer pad trimming procedure (continued) appearance after trimming




C. Bow return spring installation procedure (install on both sides)







Service Procedure (Continued)

Note: Before proceeding to the next section, inspect the cable retention spring brackets, located on the "C" pillar rear rail of the top mechanism (both sides), for proper alignment and retainer torque.


Realign the bracket(s) if necessary to be straight with the "C" pillar rear rail. Tighten each retaining nut to 35 inch pounds.
Service Procedure (Continued)
Service Procedure (Continued)


D. 11. Install screws to secure retainer at the two drilled end locations.


12. Raise the rear window and zip it back in place.


13. Attach "C" pillar section of headliner at the rear of the quarter windows (2 clips and 2 Velcro strips per side).


14. Attach Velcro at top and both sides of rear window.


15. Snap the elastic tabs at the bottom of the headliner "C" pillar panels to the existing slingwell snaps (4 snaps per side).


16. Reattach slingwell assembly.


17. Attach Velcro along both roof side rails and at windshield header.



E. Spare Tire Mounting

The spare tire must be checked to ensure that it is properly positioned and tightened in the trunk mounting bracket. If loose or mispositioned, the tire could bear against the underside of the shelf below the top stowage area. Such contact could raise the shelf, possibly preventing proper convertible top folding and storage, which may result in convertible top damage. Inspect and correct for this condition if needed, as follows:


1. Looking under the spare tire, locate the plastic wing nut that secures the spare tire in its holder.


2. Loosen the wing nut and push the spare tire forward until the mounting stud is fully seated at the end of the slot in the lower mounting bracket.
Caution: Do not just push on the tire to ensure proper seating. Because the slot steps down, the stud may catch on the wider first step instead of entering and seating in the narrower pan of the slot in the lower mounting bracket. Therefore it is important to visually check to ensure that the stud is fully seated.

When properly seated, the wing nut base will be positioned beyond the dimples located on either side of the slot in the lower mounting bracket.
Service Procedure (Continued)

E. 3. With the stud fully seated, securely tighten the wing nut.

Reconnect battery to complete the service procedure.

Completion Reporting and Reimbursement

When a car has been serviced, submit the claim using the DIAL II System as a recall claim or Copy 2 of the Claim Form for our record of completion and for your payment. If neither of these methods is available, the claim may be submitted on a WRO. (See Chapter 6, Warranty Policy and Procedure Manual for complete claim processing instructions.)

If using a WRO, enter only one VIN per claim. Fill in the labor operation number and time allowance and write on the WRO "Recall #409 -- Convertible Top Headliner Replacement." Do not enter other service claims on the same WRO.

Use the following labor operation number and time allowance:

Labor Operation Time
Number Allowance

Trim silencer pad, install #3 bow 23409182 1.4 Hours
assist springs, align and tighten cable spring brackets, position compact spare tire, and replace headliner.