Water Leaks, Convertible Top Front Section, Repairing
Water leaks, convertible top front section, repairingProceed as follows if water leaks occur in the area of the A-pillar to front roof frame and/or front roof frame to door window:
Test conditions
• Door properly adjusted, i.e. door must not drop at B-pillar when opened.
- Adjust door if necessary.
• Window regulators properly adjusted, i.e. when raised, top edge of window must fit properly in seals on A-pillar and roof frame without pressing window outward.
- Adjust door window if necessary.
• Door seals must not be wavy in area of A-pillar, but must be pressed uniformly into seal retainer on A-pillar.
• If doors are closed, only close power windows with engine running.
• No excess pressure between window and seals causing leaks.
Convertible top, checking and adjusting
The position of the convertible top when installed is checked by measuring distance -a- (between lower edge of convertible top seal and upper edge of door window molding) with window open.
Distance -a-: 388 mm (+0/-3.0 mm) [15 9/32 in. (+0/-1/8 in.)]
- Measure distance -a- at joint between roof frame seal -1-and roof frame seal -2-.
• Distance a must not be less than 385 mm (15 5/32 in)
CAUTION! If distance -a- is less than 385 mm (15 5/32 in), this must be corrected before making any other adjustments.
• If convertible top is lower than 385 mm (15 5/32 in), it must first be completely removed from vehicle. Service and Repair
• Front and rear shims under pivot bracket must be at the same height. This does not necessarily mean that shims must be same thickness.
• Vehicle must be standing on flat level surface.
- Adjust height by adding or removing shims at rear only. Use a level to verify that shims are at same height.
- Reinstall convertible top.
- Tighten nuts and bolts slightly.
- Reinstall same shims for longitudinal adjustment of convertible top.
- Loosen nuts and bolts again and push convertible top all the way up against partition panel.
• Convertible top pivot bracket must now be correctly seated and uniform at all mounting points.
To check correct seating of pivot bracket:
- Second technician: raise convertible top slightly at roof seal (arrow) and hold it in position.
- Tighten nuts and bolts slightly. Tighten lower nuts first and then upper bolt.
CAUTION! It is important to follow this tightening sequence. The second technician must keep the convertible top raised when tightening the mounts.
- Close convertible top.
If lock pins no longer engage properly in catches:
- Adjust convertible top lengthways by adding or removing washers (shims) as required.
- Close convertible top again and check distance of 388 mm (15-19/32 in).
If measured distance is within the tolerance range 388 mm (+0/-3.0 mm) [15 9/32 in. (+0/-1/8 in.)]:
- Tighten nuts and bolts to specified torque. Tighten lower nuts first and then upper bolt.
Note: Tightening sequence must be followed.
If correct distance 388 mm (+0/-3.0 mm) [15 9/32 in. (+0/-1/8 in.)] is not obtained:
- Loosen nuts and bolts in pivot brackets, press up on roof frame seal (arrow) to lift convertible top further than before. This lifts pivot bracket away from top of partition panel.
- In this position,tighten nuts and bolts on pivot bracket to specified torque.
Note: By lifting the roof frame seal -2- upward, the pivot bracket is installed at a slight angle, which has a large influence on the distance of 388 mm (+0/-3.0 mm) [15 9/32 in. (+0/-1/8 in.)].
CAUTION! When the convertible top has been set to the correct height, readjust the height of the rear side windows and door windows as needed.
Checking and replacing cover sealing strip at front of convertible top
• If water enters between cover sealing lip and convertible top frame or front seal, sealing strips underneath must be replaced
• Sealing strip is 15 mm (19/32 in.) wide and available by the meter
- First cut sealing strip into two lengths:
• 240 x 15 mm (9-3/8 x 19/32 in.)
• 320 x 15 mm (12-1/2 x 19/32 in.)
- Cut sealing strip down middle.
- Fold down convertible top into storage compartment. Do not close convertible top storage lid.
- Remove first two screws from retaining strip -1- on left and right.
- Remove frame seal -4-.
Note: Mark position of the roof frame seal so that it can be reinstalled in the same position.
- Carefully pull out roof frame seal from under retaining strip. Be careful not to damage seal.
- Glue 240 mm (9-7/16 in.) long sealing strip -3- onto sides as shown (left and right), starting from first elongated hole and going as far as possible toward center of vehicle.
- Glue 320 mm (12-1/2 in.) long sealing strip -2- onto convertible top cover and frame as shown (left and right), starting from edge of sewn-in pocket and about 15 mm (19/32 in.) from outside edge of convertible top.
Note: Toward the center of the vehicle, the sealing strip must be glued over the cover lip onto the front roof frame. The sealing strips provide additional sealing and must not be visible when the convertible top is closed.
- Install roof frame seal -4- in marked position.
- The cover sealing lip must be installed as shown.
• Distance -a-: 11 mm (+2.0/0 mm) [7/16 in. (+5/64/-0 in)]
• Distance -b-: 14 ± 1 mm (35/64 ± 3/64 in.)
• Distances -a- and -b- are measured at a point 10 mm (25/64 in.) from end of corner radius