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I wrote this to Pizzaguy and thought it wise to make public....
Hello Pizzaguy ... if you see this today (17 May, 2018) ... I’ve followed many of your posts concerning the convertible top of Crossfire
I have a 2005 Crossfire, Bentley engine model ... other data available upon request
The top has displayed every problem listed and then some...
I'm writing to ask about the bow latch .... I’ve learned how to manually raise and lower the top conv top
Along the way, the trunk has had to be opened via access through driver’s side tail light assembly removal
...and the bow latch has refused to open the tonneau cover after it has been adjusted with the 6mm hex
I saw the latch mechanism through an access hole on the tonneau cover ... it did not contribute to solving the problem of it being somehow stuck in such a way as to prevent the release of the tonneau cover
We managed to put the top down ...and now wish to put it back up.
In short ...after turning the hex screw on the bowlatch ...the tonneau cover is not released so that we may put the top back up
Can you suggest anything that might be holding this up?
Re: Bow Latch Cylinder Locked Up Cannot Open Tonneau
The tonneau and bow latch are separate things.
The tonneau latch is operated by the 'special tool', or a thin long 10 mm open end wrench through the slot between the tonneau cover and the plastic header panel.
The bow latch is operated by the 6 mm hex wrench through the open trunk.
Watch Mark's ( pizzaguy ) video again, you will see this.
Re: Bow Latch Cylinder Locked Up Cannot Open Tonneau
Are you confusing the procedure? The bow latch only comes into play when synching down the bow.. last step .. Specialty tool- release tonneau cover and raise it.
Re: Bow Latch Cylinder Locked Up Cannot Open Tonneau
Thanks for your replies... the 6mm bow latch cylinder release screw is under the trunk lid at an awkward angle ...it is what opens the tonneau
The 10mm special tool (or wrench in my case) locks the tonneau in place once it is lowered by turning the lock toward the driver side of vehicle
MY problem lies in the bow latch cylinder release accessed by opening the trunk ...it is turned counterclockwise to release the tonneau
I have turned it clockwise ...heard (and watched) the latch release ...the tonneau is locked tight and will not budge
I suspect another locking mechanism is preventing me from raising the tonneau to raise the top
We did all the standard procedures to reset the top , etc before deciding that manually lowering and raising the top will do unit we find a mechanic we are confident knows this vehicle better than we do
Re: Bow Latch Cylinder Locked Up Cannot Open Tonneau
In this video you will see the bow latch cylinder and the 6mm wrench necessary to release the tonneau.... you will see that guy easily turns the 6mm screw ...
this occurs at :15
In my case ...the 6mm screw did not readily turn in the direction indicated (or any other direction)
it is locked tightly ... I cannot raise the tonneau ... hopefully I am missing something so glaringly simple
Re: Bow Latch Cylinder Locked Up Cannot Open Tonneau
Originally Posted by musec03
In this video you will see the bow latch cylinder and the 6mm wrench necessary to release the tonneau.... you will see that guy easily turns the 6mm screw ...
this occurs at :15
In my case ...the 6mm screw did not readily turn in the direction indicated (or any other direction)
it is locked tightly ... I cannot raise the tonneau ... hopefully I am missing something so glaringly simple
Re: Bow Latch Cylinder Locked Up Cannot Open Tonneau
I've watched both ... the question is ...do you have any idea why after releasing the bow latch cylinder lock I cannot raise the tonneau ...
I appreciate your replies ...cannot see anything that answers my question which I believe has to do with how the bow latch cylinder releases the cover so we can raise it to bring the top up again
hopefully someone will see this thread ...have encountered my problem and can share how it was remedied
the video isn't total crap ... it's helped quite a few understand the process I posted it as reference to the problem I'm having.... again ...it shows the latch being released and the tonneau popping up ...mine is not doing that
Re: Bow Latch Cylinder Locked Up Cannot Open Tonneau
Originally Posted by musec03
Indeed ...it is the bottom pic operation I'm having difficulty with... there lies the cylinder that will not release the tonneau
You are missing what we are saying.. the top pic is how you release or lock the tonneau! The second pic deals only with the rear bow on the canvas top ..
Re: Bow Latch Cylinder Locked Up Cannot Open Tonneau
Originally Posted by musec03
Indeed ...it is the bottom pic operation I'm having difficulty with... there lies the cylinder that will not release the tonneau
YES, and you get to that cam from the TOP photo in Mr Miata's post.
His LOWER photo shows you where the hex bolt is that locks/unlocks the rear bow.
Try watching my video FROM BEGINNING TO END, and listen to what I am saying the entire time and you will understand.
Putting the top up and down manually is easy, very easy. Every owner should understand and practice it, should make sure they have the top tool and a hex key OR the new top tool with built in hex key - and be ready and able to use it in an emergency.
This means storing the tools in the glove box or console, NOT the trunk where you can't get to them when you need them.
Bow Latch Cylinder Locked Up Cannot Open Tonneau
