Yesterday after returning from a 100 mile ride-about I was lowering the top before entering the garage. The top cycled properly through all the different phases and ended with the beep, and the latch mechanism poised about 8 inches above the windscreen. I reached up to pull it down and latch it and it didn't want to come down. I tugged much harder than usual to get it to bang down in place so I could latch it. Previously there was some resistance when pulling it down that last 8 inches always with a bang, but this time I really needed to put a bit of muscle into it.

question: is it normal that this last segment of the process might be slightly inconsistent in its tension? Perhaps the hydraulics have a tolerance? Or, would cleaning the top with water and wiping it down cause the material to shrink up a bit and increase the tension of the last part of the lowering process?

All ideas welcome...popeye

 

I don't think so. It seems to me that the hydraulics are "out of the loop" at this point. Once the rear of the convertible top has latched, the only resistance can be from the tension of the fabric stretching over the frame.

When I get to this point, I use my left hand to support the front bar while my right hand (after twisting the handle 90 degrees) slowly pulls the top all the way down. This prevents the "bang".

I don't know how the tension could change unless the top was stored down for a long time.

 

Or if it was still wet when the top was stowed.

 

Well it went well this morning. No problem at all except for that bang. I've got to find a way to manipulate that last 8 inches to eliminate that bang. I must be destroying something when that thing comes down so hard, and then I have to twist the latch so it will sit down in the latches and clamp.

Got a ways to go before I am qualified.

I loves my bat-mobile...

 

Like maxcichon says, turn the handle 90 degrees first before pulling down. Mine makes a bang also and you have to pull down while trying to dampen the downward motion with your other hand.

 

When I twist the handle through 90 degrees before closing the final 8 inches I get a more reassuring thud that what I would describe as a bang. The key is to use both hands and slowly, slowly does it.

Good luck.

 

Thanks mates. Next time I lower it I'll take some extra time and see if I can get the hang of it....

 

Chris, ...I've been putting my roof up and down most every day now. Like you, I get the "thud" and not a bang, but I only use one hand. There seems to be a slight resistance as I start pulling the top to the windshield frame, then it just pops into place.

My XFire is a 2005 so the top is three years old but looks brand new. There has been no shrinkage of the material that I can tell. Everything is like brand new. Am I one of the lucky ones?

Bob

 

My was very tight in the beginning, after one summer of up and down, you can work on locking the roof in without making the "bang". It's really not all that good for the car and the top, to keep on doing that. Try and work out a way so you can bring it down more carefully. I can close mine with nothing more than a small touch, turn the handle and lock it in place.

Work on it some more, you'll get it so it doesn't bang when you close it.

 

Well folks I figured it out. If I follow the instructions e.g. grab handle with right hand, then press the left hand upward beside it and use both to get it past the hard spot it will just ease right down and you can then twist the latch and you're done.

Not rocket science as I once thought...

I keep getting these waves, and "nice car" when people go by, or are stopped at the same light. These Xfires are definitely a special car and it seems lots of people like them besides me...

Press on regardless...

 

It is funny, I call mine the Bat-Mobile also. Ha Ha Ha

 

The fabric these tops are made from seems very durable. If you keep the clean and treat them every so often they stay like new.