Just bought 09 plate cabrio, stupidly I didn't test drive it with the roof shut above 30 mph. Having driven it home, its clear that the roof isn't shutting fully on the passenger side. I can't see anything wrong, I have greased all the tracks and checked the roof bars are in place properly. Any advice welcome..if not DIY, how do I find a smart specialist close to me? Thanks.
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Greetings, knowing little about the 451 model, I'm a little racist - much prefer the 450 and 452, in my opinion - proper Smarts. But I'd suspect the roof mechano mechanism is much similar to the 450 model. So, if it is have a look at evilution.co.uk or fq101.co.uk to find out how to remove the roof drive motor (s). Again, not sure if the 451 has one or two motors. You say you've checked for broken bits of plastic in the tracks or other obstructions. So, assuming the roof otherwise moves as it should, I'd suspect someone hasn't 'repaired' the roof correctly.
My suggestion is remove the motor(s) with the roof closed as well as it will. Now look closely at the drive cables that the motor(s) drive cog engage with, are they as they should look?
If not, investigate what they should look like and if required, replace. If they are fine, Move the leading edge of the roof, even pressure on both sides is required, does the roof move smoothly?
Note here, be very frugal with the lithium grease. If you feel there's a problem, investigate further, If all is as it should be, move the leading edge of the roof to being parallel with, but an inch away from its fully closed position - make sure the gap is the same on each side. Now refit the motor(s), you may need to use the 'manual' crank handle to get the cog(s) and cables aligned.
If all is well, the roof should now operate as it should.
Very few people understand how the roof works. In my opinion, whomever designed the roof assembly must have been on some serious, mind bending, medication.
Hope you've got a set of 'torque' drivers and sockets - they'll help.
I've no knowledge of any suitable Smart garage, near you that knows about the roof mechanism.
Good luck.
Cheers, Ian.
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