top motor straining???

hey guys...on our 72 gs the convert switch needed replacing so i got a good used one now the problem is the motor sounds like its working overtime to open or close the top any ideas as to what the problem might be?? the top hasn't been used in a while so i think that might have something to do with it...HELP!! George N??? offer and fixes to the situation??..thanks :TU:

Rich Martel

 

you said the top hasnt been used in a while. Was it up or down?
you should alwasy keep your top up because there will be shrinkage to the fabric when its down causing the strain to put it up.

lube all the joints and pivots.

Is there any air in your lines? get someone to watch the lines through the trunk as you put the top up or down to see. if so, bleed them.

do you have speakers in the back side panels? There were some in mine when I bought my 72 GS vert, and the cylinders would hit them and cause a strain. I took the speakers out.

 

If it is not binding then it is likely low on hydraulic fluid, has air in the line and/or has a fluid leak.

 

thanks guys gonna check the situation out with the air in the lines i hope that is the only problem....thankfully the top was up u fortuately i have to wait for a cooler day to do this hottest day of the week today!!! thanx for any and all suggestions!! :TU: :bglasses: :beer

 

The filler nipple as I recall is on the passenger side of the pump.

 

Jim,

would i use the filler nipple to bleed it also??? this is new to me we have owned the car for several years and never had an issue such as this...thanks again!!

 

Remove your back seat bottom cushion and see if you find any top fluid (tranny fluid) sitting in the floor pan. If so, you have a leaky line and/or cylinder.

When bleeding the system, remove the rubber plug and place your thumb over the hole. Have an assistant operate the top while you maintain thumb pressure on the hole. Have the assistant stop the top and slowly remove your thumb enough to let the air escape. Repeat the process until all air is gone.

 

What kind of the fluid is used for the cylinders?

 

Type A trans

 

I use Dexron......auto trans fluid.

 

George and Jim....many thanks!!! :TU:

 

Thanks

Ok this answered most of my questions thanks, sounds like the best way to get at everything is to remove the back seat cushion. I have never taken it off before, is ther anything I need to know before I remove it. Does it pull right off or are there fasteners?, clips etc.

I hate taking things apart because of the age of the vehicle and the potential to break hard to find parts. So I thought I would ask here first.

O one last question what type of grease for the lubrication of the flex points? white lyth OK ?

 

I use a spray lube with long nozzle on ALL the folding joints as well as the pistons themselves. What you're looking for here, is some penetration into those joint areas. White lythium doesn't flow enough to suit me.I like to do the easy things first, so I would lube everything before tackling the reservoir...see how that changes the top operation. :bglasses:
Gene

 

thanks

It does squeek a bit when it goes up, so like WD-40 or deep creep type stuff eh