Convertible Top - High Latch/Guide Pin Effort
9217chrysler01
NO.: 23-02-92
GROUP: Body
DATE: Feb. 10, 1992
SUBJECT:
Convertible Top Latch Effort And Guide Pin Effort
MODELS:
1991-1992 (AP) Shadow Convertible
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The subject vehicles may exhibit high convertible top latch effort and/or difficulty in aligning the guide pins. These conditions may be the result of improperly aligned guide pins, latch hook adjustment and in extreme cases misalignment in the top cover.
DIAGNOSIS:
Inspection of the guide pin alignment and the No. 1 bow will be necessary to determine which adjustment or replacement procedure is needed.
GUIDE PINS
Inspect the guide pins for misalignment:
1. Raise the top from the down position to the header.
2. Note the pin alignment. The pins should drop directly into the striker depressions.
If the guide pin alignment is off, the guide pins and/or the upstops will have to be adjusted as outlined in the repair procedure.
No. 1 Bow
Inspect the No. 1 bow and the latch hooks for misalignment:
1. To check for misalignment, raise the top to the header and latch it.
2. The latch hooks should drop directly into the latch plate depressions.
If the latch hooks do not properly align with the latch depressions, the upstops and/or latch hooks will have to be adjusted as outlined in the repair procedure. In extreme cases the upstop and latch hook adjustment may not provide proper latching effort and the top cover will have to be replaced.
REPAIR PROCEDURE:
The following repair procedures involve guide pin adjustment, J-hook adjustment or top cover replacement.
Guide Pin Adjustment
1. Release the latches and lift the top at the header (Fig. 1).
2. Loosen the guide pins and pull the top to the header to align the guide pins in the striker depressions.
3. Lift the top off the header and tighten the guide pins to 100 in.lbs. torque.
4. Check the latching effort and repeat the procedure as necessary. (During the final adjustment, apply Loctite 242 or equivalent on the threads of the guide pins to keep them tight).
Latch Hook Adjustment
1. Release the top latches at the header and lower the top halfway.
2. Loosen the locking screw in the latch hook and turn the latch hook in or out to control the latching effort (Fig.2). (During the final adjustment, use Loctite 242 or equivalent on the threads of the locking screws to prevent loosening.)
3. Repeat the adjustment as necessary. Maintain sufficient sealing force on the header seal to prevent water leakage.
Upstop Adjustment
1. Release the top latches at the header and lower the top halfway.
2. Reach into the rear quarter trim panel and locate the upstop (Fig. 3). Loosen the lock nut and Allen head screw.
3. Adjust the upstops in or out as necessary to change the contact with the rear rail. It is important to adjust both upstops together. Be sure to tighten the lock nuts during the final adjustment.
4. Check the latching effort and repeat the procedure as necessary.
Top Cover Replacement
In extreme cases the top cover may be installed in such a way that the guide pin and upstop adjustments may not resolve the latching effort or pin guide alignment problem. In these cases refer to the 1992 Service Manual, Front Wheel Drive Car (81-270-2101) for the top replacement procedure.
POLICY: Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.
TIME ALLOWANCE
Labor Operation No.
Guide pin adjustment 23-05-01-92 ........................... 0.2 Hrs.
Guide pin and latch 23-05-01-93 ........................... 0.3 Hrs.
hook adjustment
Guide pin, latch hook 23-05-01-94 ........................... 0.5 Hrs.
and upstop adjustment
Top replace, includes 23-05-01-95 ........................... 6.0 Hrs.
all adjustments
FAILURE CODE: 50 - Improper Adjustment
NOTE: LABOR OPERATION NUMBERS 23-05-01-92 THRU 23-05-01-94 USE ONE ONLY LABOR OPERATION.