we own a 72 buick skylark vert & the other day (about a week ago) we took her out for the first time this year. when we took the top down (its powered)the driver side sort of slowed down & didnt want to move as fast as the pax side. now taking her up it was the same way. the driver side was slow going up. I know the top motor was replaced about a month or so before we got it. My brother in law said something about check the fluids but Heck I dont know how to do it or where it is. any suggestions any help????? Thanks
Filling/ Bleeding Top motors I just did this on my 69 GS 400. You can reach the motor through the trunk. It sits up on the shelf underneath the well. IT is a PIA to work with through the trunk and I actually suggest removing the back seat. Once you do this the rail for the top boot is held on with two screws. Remove that and you'll see the motor by pushing the well out of the way. The manual says to get a replacement plug for the top motor's reservoir. sait to cut off the tip and put a piece of 7/32nd brake line into it. Then put a loop of 5/32nd vacuum hose on that, and install the plug. then run the other end of the 5/32nd hose to a separate container of top fluid sitting on the trunk floor ( below the top motor). You need to use a clear container so you can observe for bubbles as you then put the top up and down till all the air is out of the system. In my case I got tired of putting the top up and down so I loosened the fitting going into the reservoir and just tapped the motor's switch. Sort of like bleeding brakes, tightening the fitting when the motor was running for the split second. This worked great. My top is much better but the drivers side is still slower than the passengers side on the up cycle. JD
The other thing you can do if the fluid is ok (look at the lines...do you see fluid in them on both sides?) is disconnect the ramsat the arm and then retract them so they are out of the way and cycle the top by hand to see if its binding anywhere. If so a little lube can go a long way.
Slow top operation is usually, 90% of the time, caused by leaks/air. Remove your back seat bottom cushion and check to see if you have top fluid/transmission fluid under it. If so, your top seals in your pistons are shot. You need to replace them, easy job....just some O-rings and a snap ring retainer. Most hydraulic shops in your area should have the items. If not, www.hydro-e.com will have them. Removing the air will require repeated up and down operation while you hold your thumb over the hole for refilling. Gently release your thumb over the hole so air can escape. Now, add some more fluid with a small squirt bottle and repeat the process. With the rear seat out, you will see if any air is trapped in the translucent lines.
I've never worked on a convertible pump system before so this is a great article for me.Same thing happened to me last weekend.Got the 72 out and the top went down real slow.I checked the pump motor in the trunk and saw the leak/fluid around the motor, and clear spots in the translucent lines.Someone(me?)had jammed some boxes into the trunk that pushed back into the motor and lines.PIA. o No:
Well we found out it was one of the Tops Clyinders the drivers side busted at the plastic Yoke & we ordered a new set from a place online & i ts going to take a couple weeks.
