F355 Convertible Top Manual Conversion Help

I'm not sure how much you know about the roof already, but the second bar (or "rib") back from the front of the windscreen needs to be in a certain position. ie. up instead of down (or vice versa.... I can never remember). This is normally assisted by functioning (strong) elastic straps. The guy in the second video found this to be the solution to his problem. Knowing how to position that bar is the key to proper roof operation. With weak straps, often the bar goes in the wrong direction if not manually assisted in the right direction. However, sometimes, even with good straps, it somehow goes in the wrong direction

 

I think it's the first thin bar aft of the front rail.

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Make sure it's fully up.

Failing that, perhaps it's some kind of hydraulic lock. Are you sure you followed the instructions?

 

Check the fluid level on the pump.

 

The bar in the photo has to pushed back manually. Then it will fold down.

 

Also having issues with this conversion.
Right now my top will open but not close. When trying to close it does not align with the peg (which in the video is supposed to be removed and replaced with a ground down nut) but he says it needs to be ground down to get the top open!

...so how do I close it?

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Alrighty, nevermind. Removed that peg nut and replaced it with a regular nut. Goes up and down!

Excitement! Now to clean everything up and reassemble the trim pieces

 

I'm stuck at the same point. I've disconnected the small upper rams and have removed the lower rams and disconnected the hydraulic lines. I've relieved the pressure from the system via the screw in the side of the pump and disconnected the wire connector behind the driver's seat. The only thing I haven't done is disconnect the connection at the top operation switch. My top will not fold down. I believe it is because I haven't removed the long bolt with that big nut on the end...as there is an arm that rides on the outside of that nut that is not connected when you replace it with the smaller nut. I'm convinced that the top will fold down once that arm is disconnected and the nut it removed. However, I cannot get anything on the other end to keep it from just spinning. In the photo, it looks like you're using a thin wrench. Would you happen to remember what size it is? I'm going to have to purchase one, apparently.

thanks.

 

In my picture the black arm that looks like a wrench is part of the top frame... when trying to lower the top, it jams up on the stock nut unless you take it off and shave it down like in the video. Idk why it does, but it does!

 

Image Unavailable, Please Login In this picture, the black top arm is butting against the stock nut (kinda bronze silver looking horizontal cylinder piece) before I shaved it down... I think it was a 17mm nut and a 19mm head on the bolt?