Originally Posted by
BigYankFan
Based upon a couple of other posts I've made on other topics and several related posts on this topic I suspect I'll get a variety of responses heated and otherwise to this question.
I own a 2005 Crossfire Roadster. Purchased in 2011 in great condition with 25,000 miles on it. Now has 90,000 miles on it. Started experiencing problems with convertible top, leaking, H20 in the trunk and where top is stored when down, etc. Eventually gets stuck 1/2 way up / down. My auto top guy who comes highly recommended says I need a new top. $1400. I say OK. After 2 weeks calls and says hydraulic pump needs to be re-built and will cost another $700. As much as I love it I don't have the $$$$ and don't want to spend $2100+ on this car even if I did. I ask if top can be put up and down manually and he says "yes" but rather unconvincingly. I have watched the youtube video of manual operation while the hydraulics are still in place and DO NOT want to go through that every time I want to put top up / down. QUESTIONS: Is 100% manual operation even possible? If so how would it work? Any and all responses appreciated. Thanks.
I can vouch that the manual operation of the top is simple to do. I bought my 2005 Roadster in June 2017 with a top that didn't go up or down. I manually put it up and down pretty frequently for a year. In July 2018, I had TopHydraulics rebuild the two main lifting cylinders. Everything is working fine now. With regards to the manual operation, you might occasionally get out-of-sync with the computer module for the top. But there are procedures here from pizzaguy to get it back in sync.