ala_xfire, thanks for clarifying that.

Below is a photo of a rear bow lock to clarify how manual locking/unlocking works.

Everyone, please remember that the hydraulic system is not that difficult to fix if you run into trouble. The original seals in the seven hydraulic cylinders of the Crossfire roadster top have a limited life, but they can be upgraded by Top Hydraulics to last decades longer. The design life of the original seals is ten years.

Every owner of a modern convertible or roadster will eventually have to go through cylinder replacement or upgrade if they keep the car long enough. Cylinder replacement is not really an option on Crossfires, with the parts not being made any more. Upgrades from Top Hydraulics are actually cheaper than new parts would have been, anyway. We have shipped tens of thousands of similar upgrades already for multiple brands - it's routine for us...

Once you see the first cylinder leaking (or notice the hydraulic fluid level being low in the reservoir, which indicates a hydraulic fluid leak), the others will not take long to follow. They all use the same seal material, and its decay is a function of time, temperature, and contamination in the fluid. Removal and re-installation of the cylinders is not very difficult. We are now having more and more customers sending us their full sets of cylinders for upgrade, so that they will not have to worry about it any more and have the car down only once.

Klaus

Top Hydraulics | Rebuilt and Upgraded Convertible Top Cylinders, Pumps, Hydraulic Lines - Top Hydraulics, Inc

Part number references:
Rear bow latch 05142957AA aka A 193 750 0184
Tonneau cover latch 05166559AA aka A 193 750 0183
Folding top rear bow hydraulic cylinder 05142640AA (left side)
Folding top rear bow hydraulic cylinder 05170014AA (right side)
Main drive cylinder 05142639AA (left side)
Main drive cylinder 05170015AA (right side)
Tonneau cover lift cylinder 05142641AA
Hydraulic pump 05142638AA