I just started having a hard time putting my top up. it stops a few inches away and doesn't always seem to line up with the holes. It's also getting slower to go up or down. I still have a warranty on the car but is this a common issue for a vert thats going on 5 years old? I don't know how the previous owners treated the car but I bought it with 25k on it.

 

After my top was replaced twice, the top shop, not the dealer finally found a bent bow which was allowing the passenger door glass to rub on the top while opening the door. It cut the top while under warranty so it was replaced. The second top was damaged by the top shop idiots not knowing how to do the job in the first place. It was replaced as well by the same shop who left all kinds of screws loose, cross threaded bolts among other things. I fixed the issue in under 2 hours where after 5 visits to the dealer they still couldn't fix it. Then the dealer accused me of bending the bow by putting the top up while in motion. Guess that's the kind of service you get when the service manager is an ex parts guy with no clue of how to run a service department. Anyways, JCON check the TSBs as I believe there was a cable issue with the 05's. Sounds like its binding somewhere and my guess is its probably making some noises. I'd take out the back seat, and all the plastic around the quarters on the interior to see whats going on with the mechanism. Its a pretty simple operation once you see how it works. Check the cables that attatch on the last bow near the lower portion of the top where it meets the body of the car. Thats where the cables attatch and where mine was binding due to improper assembly. Just be careful, those cable have some tension on them with that last bow.

Everything comes apart pretty easy, just take your time and be careful.

 

It is making a little noise. Sounds like stress on the motors. When it finishes going up or down it sounds like the motors are still unwinding or winding. I've always tried to be careful about running the motors more than are necessary and putting the top up or down while in motion is a nono for me.

I'll check the TSB's but your guess is that cables have gotten in the way? Thanks!

 

Its actually one motor that uses 2 hydraulic rams to raise and lower each side. The mechanism is pretty simple and by removing the back seat and rear panels, you get a better idea how it works. Again check those TSB's and see if the extended warranty covers the mechanical of the top. If it does, then let them fix it. If not, then I would suggest www.alldatadiy.com as a pretty good resource for diagrams and breakdown on parts (unless you've been real friendly with the dealership parts sales people). Sometimes the dealership parts guys/gals will print out a blow up of the whole top so you can see just how it all fits together.
TSB 07-17-8 may be the issue.