I have replaced the lift cylinders and lines on my top. What type of fluid should I use and what is the best process for filling the system? The motor is hard to get to so I was thinking I would pull it out and reconnect the ground to make filling easier. I would fill the reservoir then run the motor to get the fluid in the lines and to the cylinders then refill the cylinders. I would continue this process until the system was full. Is there a better way to do this?

 

Pulling it out is a really bad idea. No way to get air out of the system. Remove the rear seat, the fill plug will be on the tank end of the pump. Fill it with Type F trans fluid, and cycle it. Check the level, fill again if needed. Repeat as necessary.

 

I have done this and the top does not move. I have put about a quart in. I can see the fluid moving the lines but there are still large air bubbles. It seems like fluid moves back into the reservoir when I stop running the system.

Should the top be up or down when filling the system? I have top down.

How does this system work? Does the fluid run from the rear hose to the upper fittings on the cylinders? Does this then push the cylinder out and lift the top?

 

The top should be cycled up and down after you put fluid in, until the air bubbles are gone.

 

Still working on this top. I cycle the fluid up and down but it gets to a point where the fluid stops moving. The pitch of the motor also changes. There is definitely enough fluid in the reservoir because every time I open the screw fluid leaks out. Could the motor be bad and need to be replaced? At what point should the top start to move?

 

I think I burned up the motor. Last night while I was cycling the system, it stopped working. I am still getting power but nothing is moving.

 

was the car running or no?

someone correct me if im wrong but i was always told only run my top when i had the car running.

i forget the reasoning but ive at least stuck to it.

 

I would assume the car running helps saves the battery. Probably a good amount of draw to run the motor. Mine is manual so I do not know for sure.

 

if you did burn up the motor iirc all the motors are the same till 1993 stangs

 

I cant run the car because there is a transmission leak along with a list of other problems. I was working the top while waiting for other parts. I am going to put a battery charger on it and see what that does.

Would the car running give the motor any more power or just help save the battery?