Service Procedure
Begin the repair by disconnecting the battery to avoid unnecessary battery drain. Now proceed as follows:A. Detrim Headliner at Rear
The following sections of the Service Procedure require partial detrimming of the headliner in the area of the #3 top bow. To do this:
1. Pull headliner Velcro attachments loose at the top and sides of the rear window.
2. Disconnect all of the snaps retaining the top storage area cover (slingwell) along the sides and across the rear for access to the headliner lower snaps.
3. Pull four headliner elastic double snaps away at each side at the lower "C" pillar area.
Proceed to Section B of the Service Procedure.
B. Silencer pad trimming procedure
1. Working over the rear seat back, disconnect all of the snaps retaining the top storage area cover (slingwell) along the sides and across the rear.
2. Gather slingwell forward to expose the silencer padding underneath.
3. Note at the rear of the silencer pad (at the trunk bulkhead), the pad curves upward against the bulkhead.
Mark the pad along a line where the shelf meets the bulkhead, across the entire width. Using a suitable cutting tool, cut away the upturned strip of padding along this line. Remove and discard the strip of material.
4. Cut away a rear inner triangular section of the wheelhouse silencer (both sides), starting at the rear outboard corner. The cut should extend from the rear outboard corner on a line inboard and forward of the trunk bulkhead to the top of the second notch in the silencer, (about 6" to 7" forward of the bulkhead).
B. Silencer pad trimming procedure (continued) appearance after trimming.
C. Bow return spring installation procedure (install on both sides)
Service procedure (continued)
C. Note: Before proceeding to the following steps, inspect the cable retention spring brackets, located on the "C" Pillar rear rail of the top mechanism (both sides), for proper alignment and retainer torque.
Realign the bracket(s) if necessary to be straight with the "C" pillar rear rail. Tighten each retaining nut to 35 inch pounds.
8. Snap the four headliner elastic tabs at each side of the lower "C" pillar area to the existing snaps (4 snaps per side).
9. Reattach slingwell assembly
10. Attach velcro at top and sides of the rear window.
D. Spare Tire Mounting
The spare tire must be checked to ensure that it is properly positioned and tightened in the trunk mounting bracket. If loose or mispositioned, the tire could bear against the underside of the shelf below the top stowage area. Such contact could raise the shelf, possibly preventing proper convertible top folding and storage, which may result in convertible top damage. Inspect and correct for this condition if needed, as follows:
1. Looking under the spare tire, locate the plastic wing nut that secures the spare tire in its holder.
2. Loosen the wing nut and push the spare tire forward until the mounting stud is fully seated at the end of the slot in the lower mounting bracket.
Caution: Do not just push on the tire to ensure proper seating. Because the slot steps down, the stud may catch on the wider first step instead of entering and seating in the narrower pad of the slot in the lower mounting bracket. Therefore it is important to visually check to ensure that the stud is fully seated.
When properly seated, the wing nut base will be positioned beyond the dimples located on either side of the slot in the lower mounting bracket.
D. 3. With the stud fully seated, securely tighten the wing nut.
Reconnect battery to complete the service procedure.