Procedures

1. Unlatch the convertible top and open it halfway.

Perform Steps 2 through 11 for both right and left sides of the convertible top.

2. Check the elastic strap installed between the # 2 and # 3 bows. (The new elastic strap has a black elastic retainer at each end.)

a. If the new elastic strap is already installed; no further action is required. Do not continue with this bulletin procedure.

b. If the original sewn-in strap is attached at the rear to the stay pad (wide nylon webbing); cut off the strap and discard it. Then go to Step 3.





c. If the strap is secured by a metal plate and two screws; cut the strap off as shown. Remove the two screws and metal plate. Discard the strap; metal plate and screws. Then go to Step 3.





3. To determine whether the control link assembly requires replacement, measure the distance from the center of the screw securing the flipper arm to the # 2 bow to the center of the pivot on the control link assembly. Refer to the figure.

a. If distance "X" is equal to or greater than 8 inches, the control link assembly does not require replacement. Go to Step 11 for elastic strap installation.

b. If distance "X" is less than 8 inches, perform Steps 4 through 11 for control link assembly replacement and elastic strap installation.

4. Carefully remove the weather-strips from the front and center rails.





5. For ease of reassembly, use a sharp pencil to carefully trace around the heads of all the screws securing the weather-strip holders to the rails

6. Remove the weather-strip holders.

7. Remove and discard the control link assembly. Keep the bushing at the rear end of the control link for reuse with the new control link assembly.





8. Install a new control link assembly as shown:

CAUTION
Before reinstalling the flipper arm-to- # 2 bow screw, apply thread locking compound to the screw threads. Finger-tighten the screw.

a. Note that all control link bolts and washers are interchangeable. Be sure that each bolt is installed with a washer.

b. Reinstall the bushing in the rear end of the control link.

9. Reinstall the weather-strip holders using the screw head tracings made in Step 5 as a guide.

CAUTION
Be careful not to strip out the screw threads. Finger-tighten the screw.

10. Reinstall the weather-strips.

11. Install the new elastic strap to the # 2 and # 3 bows positioning the plastic retainer on the strap next to the headliner retainers on the bows. Snap the plastic retainer over the bows.





12. Inspect the stay pad to see that it is stapled securely to the # 2 bow. Re-staple the stay pad if any of the staples have come loose. Use 4 stainless steel staples (DUO-FAST 5312-DSS or equivalent) per side making sure the stay pad and staples are in their original locations. The stay pad should hang over the end of the # 2 bow by about 1/4 inch.

NOTE:
The elastic straps have no front-to-back orientation and are neither right or left-handed.

13. Open and close the convertible top several times to be sure that the flipper arm moves the # 2 bow clear from the # 1 bow as the top opens.