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Preventive maintenance on tops?

2542 Views 18 Replies 10 Participants Last post by subman576, Jul 11, 2005

dougnc

Discussion Starter · Jun 15, 2005

I'm starting to see a pattern here on the roof problems. Mostly it seems just the hydraulics. I'm also wondering if some of the serious problems were caused by a clamp or something not working, then the owner panicking, trying to force things, and then causing serious problems.

I'm wondering if we could work up some sort of preventitive maintanence document for the roofs. After all, we're supposed to check the oil and stuff. Why couldn't we check the fittings and fluid in the top at the same time?

Also, maybe some dealers or mechanics, or maybe mechanically minded SSR owners, might be willing to do this for others? I wouldn't mind paying to get my roof checked out as a sort of preventive maintenence deal.

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

woohoo

· #2 · Jun 15, 2005

great idea

What a great idea!! I know it would give me some peace of mind knowing that I had done all I could do to prevent problems. Just don't get too technical, some of us are mechanically challenged :lol

big-daddy

· #3 · Jun 15, 2005

dougnc said:
I'm starting to see a pattern here on the roof problems. Mostly it seems just the hydraulics. I'm also wondering if some of the serious problems were caused by a clamp or something not working, then the owner panicking, trying to force things, and then causing serious problems.

I'm wondering if we could work up some sort of preventitive maintanence document for the roofs. After all, we're supposed to check the oil and stuff. Why couldn't we check the fittings and fluid in the top at the same time?

Also, maybe some dealers or mechanics, or maybe mechanically minded SSR owners, might be willing to do this for others? I wouldn't mind paying to get my roof checked out as a sort of preventive maintenence deal.

The owners manual has no guidance for the roof system maintenance. It would be helpful if the board could collect some recommendations besed on owners experiences.

Mine are to check the hydraulic lines running from the cental box in the roof storage area to the struts that lift the tonneau. its a pretty tight area and with mechanical actions going on is pretty easy for the lines to get squeezed or crimped.
I read in a previous post about the need to check the fluid reservour and the fittings on the struts, but I'm not sure about the specifics.

Also if you notice a change in the sound of the lift system, you should check it immediately, its a sign low fluid pressure.

Based on my expereinces, you should check out everything at least one a month.

Reactions: 1

dougnc

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 17, 2005

Yea, I couldn't find the fluid resovior.

Does anyone know about this?

dougnc

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 7, 2005

Seeing as it seems to take a couple weeks to get the hydraulic fluid for the tops, I've decided to stock it. You can order it by going to gmpartsdirect.com and search for part # 89022748

cruzned

· #6 · Jul 7, 2005

If you look at the big black box in the area where the top is stored, directly under it on the bottom (driver's side) is a small plastic vial. I recommend going out in daylight to see this because it is really hard to see, and even harder yet to check the fluid. I was told to never, ever fill it all the way or you would have too much fluid in the lines and cause some very serious probs. Just keep an eye on the fluid level and add it if it appears very low. I check all of my lines and hoses weekly because I am always lifting and lowering the top. Sometimes the wires and hoses do get crimped and need retaping with electrical tape. An ounce of prevention is worth more than you will ever know. Keep an eye on them. I have also noticed that the wire loop sometimes slips from the desired position and results in rub marks on the passenger side. It seems that all of my problems have been on the passenger side when I have had them. Considering the amount of action those parts get, I find this a very reasonable thing to live with. HOpe this helps ya. :thumbs

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artsmart

· #7 · Jul 7, 2005

After reading several posts about cruzned's top issues I voiced my concern to another :ssr owner about the hydraulic fluid for the top and his suggestion was to make sure that hoses are not crimped, broken, misaligned and one should not "ever" have to refill the fluid...this made me feel a bit better but, are you guys having different experiences?

Joe Schuhriemen

· #8 · Jul 7, 2005

Hey Artsmart,

I agree with your comments about the hydraulic system for the top. It is a closed system just like the A/C system and fluids and freon should never have to be added, unless there is a leak in the system.

Sarasota Joe

artsmart

· #9 · Jul 7, 2005

Joe Schuhriemen said:
Hey Artsmart,

I agree with your comments about the hydraulic system for the top. It is a closed system just like the A/C system and fluids and freon should never have to be added, unless there is a leak in the system.

Sarasota Joe

WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

frankmp

· #10 · Jul 7, 2005

....me too.........

dougnc said:
Yea, I couldn't find the fluid resovior.

My SSR is only a week old and I only know only how to lift and retract the top. So how do you actually look inside? Let go of the top up/down button in mid-operation? pry up the cover? I also want to clean the underside trailing edges as I see dirt when operating the top...........

Frank

artsmart

· #11 · Jul 7, 2005

frankmp said:
My SSR is only a week old and I only know only how to lift and retract the top. So how do you actually look inside? Let go of the top up/down button in mid-operation? pry up the cover? I also want to clean the underside trailing edges as I see dirt when operating the top...........

Frank

Yeah, just push the button until the back is opened and the top hasn't started to retract, let go of the button, get out of truck and look into the storage space for the top. You can see the hoses, cables, etc., look around and make sure everything is A OKay and nothing is kinked, undone, etc, and that there isn't any fluid leaking anywhere. I try to do this about once a week or so, just to make sure there aren't any problems.

big-daddy

· #12 · Jul 7, 2005

frankmp said:
My SSR is only a week old and I only know only how to lift and retract the top. So how do you actually look inside? Let go of the top up/down button in mid-operation? pry up the cover? I also want to clean the underside trailing edges as I see dirt when operating the top...........

Frank

When you press the button to start the "down cycle", release the button once the roof storage cover is fully up, but before the roof starts to retract. Then you have a clear look into the compartment. After checking the lines that run to the struts, look in the floor pan of the storage area for fluid, if you have a leak, that's where it will collect. Unless somthing gets pinched or cut, you shouldn't have a problem, but if you do most dealers aren't trained very well to repair the system. I've got a Redline Red that I bought new in December, other than the roof fluid leak, its been trouble free & tons of fun! enjoy the ride.

frankmp

· #13 · Jul 7, 2005

artsmart said:
Yeah, just push the button

Thanks for the quick response artsmart and big-daddy.... kind of what I thought but was scared to try.......

Thanks Frank :cool

Click to expand...

dougnc

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jul 8, 2005 (Edited)

artsmart said:
After reading several posts about cruzned's top issues I voiced my concern to another :ssr owner about the hydraulic fluid for the top and his suggestion was to make sure that hoses are not crimped, broken, misaligned and one should not "ever" have to refill the fluid...this made me feel a bit better but, are you guys having different experiences?

This is true, but wouldn't you be foolish not to check your brake fluid every once in a while, just to make sure there's no problems?

I'm not a mechanic, but just reading between the lines here it seems that most of the problems with the top stem from some sort of fluid leak. Then when the top quits working people panic and try to force things, causing major damage.

Think of what can happen if the hydraulics fail on one side, but keep pushing on the other side. Twisted metal, I suspect.

The other problem is that it's taking a couple weeks for the dealers to get in the hydraulic fluid. So no matter what goes wrong with the top, the dealers are having to keep the vehicle for a couple weeks just to get in the hydraulic fluid.

That's why I ordered some. Be prepared!

artsmart

· #15 · Jul 8, 2005

dougnc said:
That's why I ordered some. Be prepared!

Not foolish here...ordered fluid just in case I spy a leak

subman576

· #16 · Jul 10, 2005

Hey, just an FYI on the top. Some of you have been seeing the back cover start to open and then snap back down when you are lowering the top. What I found is there are two locking pins (one on each side) that latch into the fork shaped arm that is on each side of the cover to hold it shut tight. When I inspected the pin I found a stiicky coating on one of them. I put some light oil on each one then wiped them with a cloth to remove the sticky stuff. I then put an second light coat on them and a drop at the end where it rotates. It has not done it again.
Matt :cool :cool

beer100

· #17 · Jul 10, 2005

I was at Duke's (DRTRCR) home this morning, He demonstarted that his top had started generating timeout errors when trying to lower the top. I observed the exact phenomonon that Matt (SUBMAN576) wrote of. The pass side cover started up then snapped down. At the time I assumed it was snapping on both sides equally. After about 2-3 trys it opened properly.

I wasn't till I was on the way home that I started thinking, based on what I saw, maybe the left side latch was sticking. I wish I had looked at the far side to see if it was snapping same as the right. If it wasn't, then for sure his left latch isn't opening.

Duke, I think you should check the left cover latch roller. Check it for the sticky coating Matt mentions. Also check the hook on the cover for residue. The roller on the right spun freely when I flicked it. If the left dosen't...

At this point based on Matt's report, and what I remember seeing, I'd be suprised if the problem wasn't the left cover latch sticking. Maybe not the same way Matt describes, but sticking neverless.

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drtrcer

· #18 · Jul 10, 2005

beer100 said:
I was at Duke's (DRTRCR) home this morning, He demonstarted that his top had started generating timeout errors when trying to lower the top. I observed the exact phenomonon that Matt (SUBMAN576) wrote of. The pass side cover started up then snapped down. At the time I assumed it was snapping on both sides equally. After about 2-3 trys it opened properly.

I wasn't till I was on the way home that I started thinking, based on what I saw, maybe the left side latch was sticking. I wish I had looked at the far side to see if it was snapping same as the right. If it wasn't, then for sure his left latch isn't opening.

Duke, I think you should check the left cover latch roller. Check it for the sticky coating Matt mentions. Also check the hook on the cover for residue. The roller on the right spun freely when I flicked it. If the left dosen't...

At this point based on Matt's report, and what I remember seeing, I'd be suprised if the problem wasn't the left cover latch sticking. Maybe not the same way Matt describes, but sticking neverless.

Glenn, thanks for the info. I will check it out this morning, let you know the results.
Duke :ssr

subman576

· #19 · Jul 11, 2005

Mine had the sticky on the right side more than the left and it was the left that lifted then snapped back so I am sure you will find the left side sticking. :cool :cool

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