So, I went to go fix the elastic pensioners that hold the convertible top under the outside seals. I had wondered why there was a small elastic loop showing outside the top, poking around the seal. Turns out, besides the elastic strap being worn, the tensioner cord was snapped about 2/3 the way down. The (I don't know what you call it) edge of the top with the plastic rod that holds it inside track of the mechanism was torn a bit and sort of dangling.
I fixed the elastic without a problem, but the cord being broken prevented the top from seating. I don't have a ton of pictures because I was hot, frustrated, and wasn't even sure the fix would work. Leaving out what didn't work, here's what I did....
The cord is mounted to the top of the plastic mechanism. It runs up through an elastic loop that attaches to the convertible top and then over and mounts to a spring, attached to a hard point on the car. I'll call it the spring end and the anchor end, so you know which end of the cord I'm referring to.
I pushed the anchor end back out of the mechanism. Then I burned the frayed end to keep it solid and fromfraying again. I then squeezed it a bit to keep it thin enough to be put back through the hole it came out of.
I burned the frayed end on the spring side, squeezed it a bit, then fit it into a blue electrical butt connector. I crimped it down tight.
I fished the anchor end back through the hole into its home. It doesn't want to sit in its original hole without coaxing. The hole it sits through has an opening on the back side (kind of like a clothesline held open). You can pull the cord into its hole from the side. I held the anchor cord from each end with a needle nose pliers in each hand and pulled the cord forward, snapping it into place.
I then held the now-seated anchor end in the needle noses and put the other side of the butt connector in a crimper in my other hand. I slid the cord end into the butt connector and crimped it solid. This connected my cord.
Well, it seems to work!! Everything is seated under the outer seals. The portion that was dangling with the plastic rod, that didn't seem to adversely affect the top closing. Time will tell how long this works, but considering I had butt connectors, this fix was free.
I hope I've helped someone. Drive safely.
Hey
@OSOK338
, that's a really clever fix for the snapped tensioner cord, especially using the butt connector to splice it! Out of curiosity, what made you think to use an electrical connector for the repair? Sharing a bit more about your process could definitely help someone else trying to tackle the same frustrating issue.
Great point. I got the idea off of Google which recommended either a butt connector or using nylon thread to see them back together. I have a bunch of connectors, and I trust them more than my sewing skills. I used a shrink wrap version, but in the future I would cut that off or use a bare connector. It's easier to see what you're doing without messing with the plastic.
