Convertible Top - Fabric Wear
CATEGORY: BodySECTION: 8
PAGE: 62
ISSUE: 03/93-0316
CODE: 812
Supersedes PSI 10/91-0138
Subject:
Minimizing Top Fabric Wear
Application:
1986-93 900 Convertible Models
When the car is driven with the top down, a certain amount of wear may occur in the top fabric. (See Figure 1 for an indication of where this wear may occur.) This is because the eccentric screws for adjusting the parking position of the top when it is raised (the position in which it stops before the latching hooks are hooked into place) come into contact with the top fabric.
In order to help prevent wear in the top fabric from occurring, on cars VIN M7018385 and later, the eccentric screws are repositioned lower down at the top mechanism retaining brackets (Figure 3-A). You will find it necessary to install the spacers described (Figure 3-A) even if the eccentric screws have been properly adjusted in order to minimize wear and insure optimum top mechanism clearance. This bulletin combines updated original PSI information and the Oct. 91 Warranty Policies & Procedures Manual update to Service Directive status.
NOTE:
This PSI is identified as a "Service Directive," meaning that affected cars should be corrected before delivery if possible, or at the next service opportunity, regardless of whether there has been a customer complaint. A "Service Directive" differs slightly from a "Campaign". Owners are not notified to bring their car in for unscheduled service under this procedure.
Cars Affected:
All 900 Convertibles
Parts Required:
Spacer (2 required)
NOTE:
The top adjustment procedure used in conjunction with installation of the spacers supersedes the adjustment specification presented in the Service Manual Section 8:5, Convertible, P. 800-6 and in S.I. 09/88-1076 (Bound Supplement 7A, Sec. A-8, P. 109). Please make a reference to this PSI in those two places.
Action:
Before taking any action (do not skip this step), verify that the optimum clearance between the top mechanism and the side covers is 1 mm.
1. Lower the top fully. Fold the top fabric behind the rear seat, making sure that the top rests on the stops and does not hang from the seat backrest.
2. Fit the side pieces of the hard boot cover in place. Adjust the top stops so that the top mechanism comes as high up as possible without touching the side covers (Figure 2).
NOTE:
Service Advisors must inform owners when the service appointment is made to be sure that the hard boot cover is in the car.
On all cars, a spacer, P/N 41 54 787, can be fitted at the top mechanism's stop position when the top is lowered. See Figure 3-B. When these spacers are fitted, the fabric is not folded as tightly and does not come into contact with the eccentric screws, thus preventing further wear.
This spacer should be installed and the top adjusted on new cars before these are sold, and on cars that are returned for normal service.
Before fitting the spacers, verify that all modifications as described in S.I. 09/88-1076 (Service Campaign 513 found in Bound Supplement 7A, Sec. A-8, p. 109) and S.I. 06/90-0011 with regard to down position limit stop have been carried out. These modifications are designed to minimize top fabric wear and should be performed if they have not been previously done:
^ 1986, 1987: top latches replaced? Top correctly adjusted?
^ 1988 J7000001-J7006586: top latches replaced? Top correctly adjusted?
^ 1988 J7006587-J7024537: Top adjusted correctly?
NOTE:
Although VIN ranges were given for Factory production start of modifications, you must verify that they have indeed been performed before proceeding further.
3. Remove any burrs or rough edges on the outside of the eccentric bolt (Figure 4).
4. Lower the top three-quarters of the way down.
5. Loosen the retaining bolts for the top lowering stop on both sides (Figure 5).
6. Fit a spacer, P/N 41 54 787 in place (Figure 6). The hook opening must face the rear of the car. A clicking sound should be heard as confirmation that the hook has snapped into position. Repeat this procedure on the other side.
7. Repeat steps 1 and 2.
Warranty Information:
For warranty claims, use Failure Coding 81147-07-0-01-05. Time allowance is Labor Operation No. 81147 (0.7 hour) and includes time for both the adjustment and the spacer installation. This Directive applies to all cars regardless of age and mileage.
NOTE:
Dealers are responsible to ensure that this modification is properly performed even when a top replacement is done as sublet work. It is recommended that the dealership do the spacer installation even if the top replacement is sublet.