Convertible Top
Preventative Maintenance
You can lubricate the various friction points of the convertible top mechanism. You can easily tell if your top mechanism needs lubrication by disconnecting the joints at the V-levers and operating the top and the clamshell manually. If it's properly aligned and lubricated, both should be almost effortless to move back and forth (open and closed). Note that you must first remove the cosmetic black plastic covers that are attached to each of the clamshell arms. They can just be pulled off and later snapped back on.
Starting with the clamshell, there are four points to lubricate:
1. The joint where the black hydraulic pushrod attaches to the clamshell arm at its rearmost point. Note that there is a small plastic sleeve bushing (part #999 924 126 00) that sometimes wears out here and which is located in the hole in the clamshell arm, and through which the pushrod's metal pin gets inserted and is fastened with the speednut-type clip.
2. The cup end on the black hydraulic pushrod where it snaps on to the metal ball on the V-lever.
3. The metal guide rail (channel) where the black square plastic slider to which the forward part of the clamshell arm is attached and slides back and forth.
4. The metal ball on the end of the forward part of the clamshell arm and the cup in the middle of the square plastic slider where it is pressed in.
For the convertible top side, there is one lubrication point which is easily accessible, and another part that must be checked:
1. The plastic cup on the front adjustable mechanical pushrod (this pushrod is connected to the opposite side of the V-lever) where it presses onto the metal ball under the B-Pillar of the convertible top frame. This one is easier to access if you open the top about 12 to 16 inches.
2. Verify that the rubber bush (part # 986 561 881 00) which is located where the mechanical pushrod is attached to the V-lever is intact. If it isn't in one piece, or is missing, it will allow that mechanical pushrod to move around and cause play and noise in operation. This is a very common wear part that does not hold up with time.
For the above lubrication points, you can use spray (or paste) white lithium grease after you have thoroughly cleaned the areas to be lubricated. Use it sparingly, it's not necessary to gob it up. Another good lubricant for these points is Dupont Krytox. It is more expensive than white lithium grease but it is less messy and will not attract dirt.
Finally, unclip the transmission cables where they attach to each side of the electric motor and drip in some cable lube (liquid graphite lock fluid is also okay) while holding that end of the cable elevated.
There are a few more points that could use lubrication, but they are not as easily accessible as the above. For example, if you are ambitious, you can remove the transmissions and lubricate the worm gear on the other end of the cable, and the half-moon (or round gear on later models) gear after you remove the black plastic covers from the underside of the transmissions.
Mairice, the author of this, is a frequent contributor to the http://www.renntech.org/ forum where he posts as 1schoir in a section on Top Issues and Solutions