Another Cabriolet Top Question

After tons of searching and getting no where I decided to use the emergency method to crank my top down to put on the hard top. The top was actually already down but the clamshell would not lower to complete the process. I manually turned the side wings up, then went to hand crank the clamshell down as shown in the manual. Turning one way the hex bolt would loosen and unscrew, the other way I snapped the bolt off. Ugh. Any ideas? The clamshell won't budge. I can put the soft top up and the clamshell closes fine. Did I do something wrong? At this point I just want to get the hardtop on. Tom

Nothing? Ok, can anyone who has used the emergency method tell me if you need someone pushing on the clamshell while turning the emergency hex to get the clamshell to close? Tom

If the bolt broke you won't be able to close the clamshell without breaking the racheting mechanism. The bolt disengages the motor from the ratchet What you can do is 1) put the cover into service position 2) remove the cardboard/carpet cover in the back shelf. 3) the clamshell motor assembly is a horizontal piece of black plastic with the silver motor on top facing toward the rear of the car 4) disconnect the assembly from the bar holding it to the car. It's 2 10mm bolts. You can then free up the assembly. 5) the motor is attached to the assembly using the posts that you just took the nuts off 6) unscrew the posts from the assembly (there are two) 7) Pull the motor off the Assembly 8) you should now be able to get the broken screw and drive shaft out of the motor. 9) once the drive shaft is disconnected from the motor or the assembly or both you can hand close the clamshell. 10) close the top first than manually close the clamshell At this point you should be able to put your hardtop on M

Thanks so much Makoto0406! I will try this tonight! Tom

This is what you should see after you get the cardboard piece off. Your bolt broke off in the potentiometer (blue). The post bolts and nuts go into the lower part off the metal piece with the rectangular hole in it. You may need to disconnect the clear plastic connector to move the assembly

I have a 2000 C4 Cab and, since this is the kind of problem that is beyond my capacity to address, I would just take it to an "authorized" dealer to fix it. Whether you (the OP) choose to do this too is depending on your skills, perserverance, stubborness and the size of your pocketbook. I have less of the former than I do of the latter. Good luck!!!

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Successfully fixing a problem can be a reward far greater than money saved. That being said, failure to solve the problem is a waste of both time and money. Like everything in life you have to weigh the costs in time, money and frustration vs the costs in money and lack of control/knowledge. Everyone's balance point is different. Regardless I wish Tom happy hunting M

Thanks Makoto, worked well and gave me a better understanding of how things work in there. One thing I noticed is that the locks don't engage on the clamshell. Any ideas on that? I don't think it will be a problem since the hard top sits on top and locks in place. Again much thanks for the info! Tom

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Glad it worked. The latch for the clamshell is part of the rack and pinion system (using the picture as a guide its a metal slide on the top of the black part that hits the microswitch to stop). I suspect you could apply power to the latch mechanism and get it to close. I personally do not know where and how much power you would need to apply and I suspect the cover will be blocking your access when closed. Perhaps someone else can chime in. Have you tried hitting the close button for the convertible top? Be careful not to hit open as that would smash the top into the clamshell. M

Yes I did try that. I thought it might cycle through and lock, but no luck. I plan on putting the top on tonight. I'll see how tight everything gets when the top is locked down.

Tom, check out this post. https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...re-pics-2.html