Folding Top Frame - Removal

FOLDING TOP FRAME

Removal







NOTE: The windshield will need to be removed for this procedure. Windshield removal tools will also be used to remove the folding top frame. Do not attempt to remove the folding top frame without the appropriate tools.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the decklid.







NOTE: Rear shelf trim panel removed for clarity.

3. The roof can be opened or closed manually using a socket or the wrench provided in the vehicle's tool kit. Attach the tool being used to the motor (1), accessible in the opening located in the trim panel under the rear shelf and turn to cycle the roof.







4. Remove the decklid cut seal (1) by peeling away on one side and working across.







5. Remove the rear wind deflector/windscreen (1) by pulling up.







6. Remove the three fasteners securing the bracket (1) to the rear shelf (2).
7. Remove the bracket (1).
8. Remove the push pin retainers (3) from the rear shelf.
9. Remove the rear shelf.







10. Using C-4755 or equivalent, disengage the B-pillar trim panel retaining tabs/clips located at the bottom and upper rear areas. There is also a retaining tab that mates to the C-pillar. Repeat on the opposite side.
11. Pull downward on the B-pillar trim panel (1). Repeat on the opposite side.
12. Reposition the B-pillar trim panel (1). Repeat on the opposite side.







13. Using C-4755 or equivalent, disengage the C-pillar trim panel retaining tabs/clips and reposition the C-pillar trim panel (1). Repeat on the opposite side.







14. Drill out the four rivets (1) securing the motor cover plate (2) and remove the plate.
15. Remove the headliner fabric from the rear shield and the entire backlite/glass areas.







16. Disconnect the electrical connector from the motor (1) and the module (2).
17. Detach the harness from the rear shelf.







18. Remove the four fasteners (1) securing the tension bar.







19. Remove the tension bar (1).







20. Lift the cover up to expose the tension cable (2) and bracket (1).
21. Using a china marker, mark the location for the bracket (1). Repeat on the opposite side.
22. Remove the fastener securing the bracket (1) to the roof frame. Repeat on the opposite side.
23. Separate the tension cable (2) from the bracket (1). Repeat on the opposite side.







24. Remove the clip (1) from the backlite bracket. Repeat on the opposite side.
25. Separate the backlite bracket. Repeat on the opposite side.







26. Accessing from inside the vehicle, remove the fastener (2) and four washers from the backlite/glass linkage (1). Repeat on the opposite side.







27. Using a small punch and needlenose pliers, disengage the pin (3) from the fastener (2). Repeat on the opposite side.
28. Remove the headliner tension belt/tether (1) from the linkage. Repeat on the opposite side.







29. Remove the fastener (1) securing the four bow cap (2). If replacing the cover, save the bolt and cap for re-use. Repeat on the opposite side.
30. Detach the four bow.







31. Open the roof (1) fully until the front edge tilts back.
32. Remove the front bow bolts (2). Repeat on the opposite side.
33. Close the roof (1) to 3/4 open position.







34. Drill out the rivet (1) securing the front tension belt to the front bow. Repeat on the opposite side.
35. Remove the front bow tension belt. Repeat on the opposite side.







36. Separate the cover from the second bow retainer (1). Repeat on the opposite side.







37. Detach the seal at the bottom of the rear track cover (1).
38. Using C-4755 or equivalent, disengage the rear track cover (1) by prying up the outboard edge of the cover and rolling the track cover inward. Repeat on the opposite side.







39. Remove the fastener securing the rear stop block (1).Do not misplace the square nut insert. Repeat on the opposite side.







40. Disengage the top stow slider block (1) by turning the front screw (2) clockwise. Repeat on the opposite side.
41. Slide the roof rearward to disengage the remaining roof bow blocks.
42. Remove the cover.







43. Using a small pry tool, remove the cover (2) located on the rear of the mirror.
44. Remove the harness cover (1).







45. Disconnect the harness (1) from the rear view mirror(2).
46. Disengage the tab that secures the rear view mirror (2) to the support bracket/button on the inside of the windshield glass.
47. Slide the rear view mirror upward to remove.







48. Remove the dome lamp and power top switch.
49. Remove the visor (2) and visor support.







50. Remove the rivet (2) located in the dome lamp cavity securing the front header cover (1) to the roof header.
51. Using Trim Stick C-4755 or equivalent, disengage the retaining clips located under the visor support cavities and remove the front header cover (1).







52. Remove the front header cover.
53. Remove the grab handle.
54. Twist the coat hook (1) counter clockwise to the "9 o'clock" position and pull straight out to remove.







55. Using Trim Stick C-4755 or equivalent, pry the headliner side rail (2) away and reposition.
56. Remove the fastener (1) securing the tether to the airbag.
57. Remove the headliner side rail (2).







NOTE: Airbags must be stored in a clean, dry environment; away from sources of extreme heat, sparks and high electrical energy. Always place or store any airbag on a surface with its trim cover or airbag cushion side facing up, to minimize movement in case of an accidental deployment.

58. Remove the A-pillar trim panel.
59. Disconnect the body wire harness connector (2) for the Side Curtain Airbag Inflatable Curtain (SABIC) (5) from the connector receptacle at the back of the inflator between the upper inner B-pillar (1) and the upper inner C-pillar.
60. Remove the screw (4) that secures the rear locating hook of the SABIC to the weld nut in the upper inner C-pillar.
61. Remove the nut that secures the SABIC rear tether anchor to the weld stud on the upper inner C-pillar.
62. Disengage the rear tether anchor from the upper inner C-pillar.







63. Remove the screw (1) that secures the SABIC (2) front tether to the lower inner A-pillar (3).
64. Remove the remaining screws (1) that secure the SABIC (2) and the inflator bracket to the inner roof side rail.
65. Disengage the push-in plastic fastener that secures the SABIC mounting tab to the inner A-pillar.
66. Disengage the remaining locating hooks of the SABIC from the inner roof side rail.
67. Disengage the remaining hook and T-tab that secure the SABIC inflator from the slots in the inner roof side rail.
68. Remove the SABIC from the vehicle as a unit.
69. If equipped, disconnect the rear view mirror harness.
70. Remove the cowl grille.

CAUTION: Be careful not to damage painted surfaces when removing moldings or cutting urethane around the windshield.







71. Remove molding from the top of the windshield.
72. Using an assistant and a wire-type windshield cut-out tool (1, 3 and 4), cut and separate the urethane adhesive (2) securing the windshield to the windshield fence.







73. Using appropriate tools, carefully remove the windshield (1) from the vehicle.







74. Remove the roof weatherstrip (1).







75. Accessing from the vehicle interior, remove the front fastener (1) securing the frame to the vehicle. Repeat on the opposite side.







76. Accessing from the vehicle interior, remove the fastener (1) located in the upper C-pillar area securing the frame to the vehicle. Repeat on the opposite side.







77. Accessing from the vehicle interior, remove the fastener (1) located in the lower C-pillar area just above the package tray, that secures the frame to the vehicle. Repeat on the opposite side.







78. Remove the two fasteners (1) located under the package tray securing the package tray/frame to the vehicle.







79. Remove the three fasteners (1) securing the lower rear portion of the frame to the body.







80. To aid in protection of the to body side, make a shield out of bent scrap stock and place at front of aperture (3) where front edge of folding top frame (2) ends.







CAUTION: Use appropriate cautionary measures to avoid damaging the painted surfaces of the vehicle.

81. Using windshield pull knife, start at one side of the front header section of the frame (1) and work across to cut away urethane.







CAUTION: Use appropriate cautionary measures to avoid damaging the painted surfaces of the vehicle.

82. Using windshield pull knife, start at the front section of the frame (1) and work rearward to cut away urethane. Repeat this process on the opposite side







CAUTION: Use appropriate cautionary measures to avoid damaging the painted surfaces of the vehicle.

83. Using windshield removal tool such as an extractor or equivalent, start at the rear section of the frame and work across to remove urethane.
84. If necessary, have an assistant lift up the front of the frame. Access from the vehicle interior just under the package tray to remove any additional urethane.
85. With the help of two (or possibly three) assistants, lift the frame at the front and rear corners and remove the frame from the vehicle.