Sticking Roof

[stephen124]

Hi all,

I'm having trouble with my roof, it's been folding the wrong way for a while but yesterday it got stuck, and it took me ages to close. It wasn't that the fold was getting stuck as I had done that first.

I put some WD40 in the track thinking that it needed some lubrication of some kind but it is still struggling.

The motor is making all the right sort of noises and the car (when on) is showing signs of power activity (i.e. change in engine pitch) but it's not moving. I don't want to overdo it as I don't want to burn out the motor.

When I'd finished WD40ing I noticed that the right "lock" at the front of the roof bar where it locks to car body wasn't fully closed; so I think it is out of alignment.

How easy is it to fix? If it's a garage job is it expensive?

Any advice would be great.

Thanks

Ste

[headless]

Re: Sticking Roof

It's struggling because the runners are dry, WD40 won't help, in fact will probably make it worse
Don't use WD40 on the runners, use silicone grease, easily bought from Halfords and most other car shops apply liberally with your fingers all over the tracks, (best if you can take the roof panels out with the roof folded), and then when put back in run the roof up and down a lot until it sounds smooth, rather than dry and scratchy, if you find the bottom fold is folding wrong into the boot, wet roof with a hose then fold roof until the fold is folding wrongly then fold it correctly remembering to also fold the 2 straps the right way as they can be folded wrongly even if the roof is folded correctly, and then open roof fully into boot, you should have 3 folds facing the same way.
Now pinch the bottom fold and straps with your fingers to get a good crease then leave until the roof is dry, now the roof should fold and unfold the correct way every time
:goodlk:

[herman1rg]

Re: Sticking Roof

Or you could use white Lithium grease, that works for me.

[stephen124]

Re: Sticking Roof

I'll get some today, but I still think it is out of alignment though, as it was working fine on Monday morning, then in the afternoon it suddenly stopped.

Thanks for the advice.

[stephen124]

Re: Sticking Roof

Thanks guys for all of the advice.

Got some Lithium Grease and really lubed it up.

Worked the roof backwards and forwards and it has made a hell of a difference. It had been out of alignment but with the grease it corrected itself.

Going to go scrub it now and wet the roof to reset it, as the local gulls have been using it for target practice.

The guy where Ibought the grease from said that the WD40 would at least clean out all of the **** ready for the new grease, so it had some function.

Thanks a bunch, rep all round.

Ste

[headless]

Re: Sticking Roof

glad you got it sorted, it can be a real pain when it sticks, but the grease sorts it out.

[herman1rg]

Re: Sticking Roof

Thanks guys for all of the advice.

Got some Lithium Grease and really lubed it up.

Worked the roof backwards and forwards and it has made a hell of a difference. It had been out of alignment but with the grease it corrected itself.

Going to go scrub it now and wet the roof to reset it, as the local gulls have been using it for target practice.

The guy where Ibought the grease from said that the WD40 would at least clean out all of the **** ready for the new grease, so it had some function.

Thanks a bunch, rep all round.

Ste

Glad I could help