Top Cover Replacement

TOP COVER REMOVAL
1. Cycle the convertible top to its fully open position.
2. Place protective covers over the rear quarter panels, rear deck lid, and seats. Apply protective tape to the belt-line mouldings. Make sure to cover the inner edges of the mouldings.
3. Remove the eleven (11) screws from the No.1 bow top cover retainer then remove the retainer.
4. Cycle the convertible top until it is fully closed.
5. Remove the headliner.
6. Disconnect both heated backlight (rear window defogger) electric connectors from the rear window.
7. Detach the top cover material from the No.1 bow by separating the adhesive bond.
8. Remove the side tension cable screws and tension cable from each side of the No.1 bow.
9. Unwrap the top cover anti-lift strip from the No.2 bow. Repeat for the No.3 and No.4 bows. Clean any anti-lift strip adhesive residue from the bows.




NOTE: The top cover anti-lift strips are pieces of fine-mesh fabric webbing attached to the top cover that wrap around the bows to keep the top cover from ballooning up and lifting away from the bows during vehicle operation.

10. Slit the top cover material behind the rear rails for better access to the rear rail weather strip retainers. Be careful not to cut the stay pad located behind the top cover.
11. Remove the rear rail weather strip from each of the rear rails.
12. Pull the top cover material from one side of the rear rail by separating the adhesive bond. Repeat for the other side.
13. Cycle the convertible top 152 mm (6 in.) above the windshield header. Place a spacer, such as a wood block, on the windshield header. Manually lower the top onto the spacer to prevent the convertible top from settling to the closed position.
14. Remove the partition trim from the trunk.
15. Through the trunk opening, release the drain trough center strap and remove the four rear push-pin retainers on both sides of the drain trough.
16. Accessing the drain trough from the rear seat inside the passenger compartment, remove the four (two on each side) drain trough side push-pin retainers.
17. Remove the two push-pin retainers from the top cover flap and inner structure. These retainers are located under the rear rail.
18. Remove the four screws (two on each side) from the top cover tackstrip and tackstrip extension.
19. Carefully trim the top cover material flush with the bottom edge of the tackstrip. Make sure you do not cut the rubber drain trough.
20. With a grease pencil, match-mark the top cover material to the drain trough material in eight to ten places for assembly.
21. Remove the top cover staples, two screws, then the top cover from the vehicle.
22. Clean all old adhesive from the topstack components.

NEW TOP COVER PREPARATION
1. On a suitable, clean work surface, cut the old top cover material just ahead of the rear window seam. Discard the front section of the top cover material, keeping just the rear glass section.

NOTE: Be sure that all push-pins are removed. You will need them when installing the new top cover.

2. Place the rear window section of the new top cover, outside surface UP, on a clean, flat work section, aligning the window openings and the seam.
3. Position the old rear window section trimmed from the old top cover over the new rear window section.
4. Transfer match-marks and the trim line from the old top cover to the new top cover. Examine the trim line on the new top cover carefully to make sure it is in correct alignment with the marks on the old top cover material.
5. Cut the new top cover along the newly established trim line from step 4.

TOP COVER INSTALLATION
1. Position the new top cover over the topstack frame, aligning rear window match-marks and trim line to the tackstrip and drain trough match marks.
2. Using 3/8 inch stainless steel or galvanized staples, staple the top cover to the tackstrip, constantly making sure the trim line and match-marks are in alignment.
Install a screw at each end of the tackstrip.

NOTE: When stapling, start from the center and work outward toward the ends.

3. Position the tackstrip into the top storage well and attach it to the tackstrip extensions with the four screws.
Tightening torque: 9 Nm (80 in.lbs.)
4. Install the eight side and rear drain trough push-pins and center strap.
5. Open the convertible top to 1/2 open.
6. Secure the No. 4 bow anti-lift strip to the No.4 bow with adhesive. Wrap the anti-lift strip around to the rear of the bow, making sure that the bottom edge is aligned with the bow. Look at the outside of the top cover to verify that the seam is aligned with the rear edge of the bow.
7. Secure the top cover flap to the inner body structure with the two push-pins.
8. Pull one of the side tension cables through the top cover pocket and secure the cable end to the No.1 bow with the screw. Repeat this procedure for the other side.
9. Completely remove the adhesive tape from the top cover side flaps. Replace the adhesive tape with adhesive. Apply adhesive to the lower front surface of the No.1 bow, also.
Specified adhesive: 3M 051135-n8031 or equivalent
10. After the adhesive becomes tacky, fold the top cover side flaps under the No.1 bow. Align the front edge of the flap to the edge of the bow.
11. Fold the top cover material under the No.1 bow and align the edge to the vertical surface of the bow. Trim any excess binding material.
12. Open the convertible top to the fully open position and install the No.1 bow top cover retainer with the 11 screws. Make sure the edge of the weather strip is under the retainer.
13. Remove the protective backing from the tape on the rear rail retainer and secure the top cover to one side of the rear rail. Make sure the holes in the retainer align with the rear rail holes. Repeat for the other side.
14. Install the anti-lift strips for the No.2 and No.3 bows. Wrap the anti-lift strip fabric webbing around the bow, attaching each strip to the bow with adhesive. Allow the adhesive to set. The anti-lift strips will be fully secured by the headliner retainers that clip over the bow during headliner installation.
15. Close and latch the convertible top.
16. Inspect the top cover fit for wrinkles and smoothness and adjust as necessary.
17. Unlatch and cycle the convertible top to 3/4 closed position.
18. Install the rear rail weather strip by pushing the four retainers through the top cover material and into the holes in one side of the rear rail. Repeat for the other side.




19. Secure the headliner retainers to the No.2, No.3, and No.4 bows. Make sure to align the retainers to the match-marks and that the anti-lift strips are positioned securely on the bow under the headliner retainers. Attach the dual-lock fastener to the No.1 bow.
20. Reconnect the rear window defogger wire connectors to the rear window.
21. Install the headliner.
22. Remove the protective covers and tape from the belt-line mouldings.
23. Close and latch the top.
24. Reinstall the partition trim.