clarehills

I have a 2000 V6 Mustang convertible. When I put the top up I notice that it lags behind on one side, as if there is nothing lifting it on that side. On closer inspection I saw hydraulic fluid around the piston that pushes up the top on that side. I assume it is a bad seal or something. Either way I assume I will need to remove it to make the repair/replacement. Does anyone have a procedure that describes how to do this?
Thanks!

clarehills

I am in the garage with a laptop! Does anyone know how to get the piston out? I have the back seats and quarter panel removed, The piston is question is right in front of me but am having trouble getting at thge bolt. Can anyone help pleease!!

clarehills

Hey,
so I figured it out and thought I would relay my findings for the next poor sod

First, the reason for the uneven lifting of the top. When I removed the rear seat and inside quarter panels (the plastic piece that the seatbelts live in) I instantly saw that the lower mounting point for the driver side piston was unseated due to a nut that had backed off. When I would raise the top it had nothing to brace itself against to help lift the top.

Second, how to get out the Pistons! To get out the pistons, the top has to be raised to allow access to the upper mouning point - the place where the top of the piston attaches to the roof frame in order to lift it. Once i raised the top it was really obvious.

Third, where was the hydraulic leak? After taking everything apart and removing the pistons and motor from the car (as a unit) I inspected all seals for evidence of leaking. The driver side piston definately looked like it had let some fluid out around the shaft but I suspect this was due to being crooked when the lower mounting point came free. I checked the fluid level in the motor (pull out the little rubber stopper - the fluid should be level with the bottom of the hole) and found it to be about 50% lower than it should have been. I added the correct amount of fluid with a syringe and bled the system about 3 times. After putting the system back into the car and running the top up and down a few times there was no evidence of any of the components leaking so I think the fauty mounting was to blame, yahoo! Fixed! (I think, I hope )

Bleeding the System: this consists of holding the motor higher than the pistons and running them in and out about 4 times - check the fluid again and add more if necessary, add the fluid with the pistons retracted. I was told you can run the motor off any 12v power source but I just plugged it back into the car for simplicity. What type of fliud to use? Transmission fluid, specifically Motorcraft All purpose ATF XT-2-QDX if you can get it - or else any other ATF that meets that requirement.

Tools Note Before you go tearing the car apart you will need Torx head bolts - the star shaped fittings - I would recommend gettting a set as I have used them in other places on the car (2000 Mustang Conv).

Feel free to PM me if anyone needs any further details on this

califas_1987

Good info and description. Thanks for the write up!

ripped camel

Good stuff. I just noticed my driver side comes up a second slower than the passenger side. It almost seems like the passenger side is pulling most of the weight.

I'm betting I have the same problem. This will be the next project this weekend.

jEEd

awesome thanks for the vert info :] i just replaced both hydralic lifts and got over it[8D]

sox

Hey guys, My 2004 top stopped raising one fine day, so I took it to the local upholstery shop for some ideas. He said it was probably low on fluid and added some for me, along with bleeding the lines. It worked for about a week. Now I have the same thing. After inspection, we noticed the driver's side piston had some fluid around the top, and some down below as well. It looks like the problem is a bad hydraulic lift....right? Funny though, it is the left side that is obviously leaking, but is the right side that started slowing down in the beginning. If there is anyone out there willing to share any information on the subject - 2004 Mustang conv. top workings, any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Larry (soxinator@gmail.com)

plankton

It worked on my 2001, with same problem. Combine one third brake fluid with the hydraulic oil . Fill the motor up with this convination workit up and down 3 4 times. Let it sit overnight. This stopped my liking piston saved time and money.