Roof catch not releasing properly

[m0ssy]

Still having trouble with this 'catch'.

When looking at the boot from behind the car the left side will not release/ retract fully. The lever will pull all the way up/ down no trouble at all but the pointed catch in the roof section will not withdraw into the bodywork fully.

What to do/ check?

Cheers

Jon

Edited by m0ssy on Thursday 25th September 16:25

[Flintstone]

Sounds like it's binding. WD40? It's going to be messy but use the little red straw that you lose as soon as you buy a fresh can and spray onto the pin. Hopefully enough will migrate to loosen things up if it's the top end that's the problem.

Also lie in the boot with a torch and goggles and see what you can lubricate at the handle end. That's assuming something's not disconnected

[s6boy]

If the pin is moving and without too much resistance could be the cable has stretched on the lever end, probably tried it already but make sure the lever is pushed all the way down not necessarily where you're used to it being.

[m0ssy]

The pin does move and the way I get the roof back on is to use a 12mm drill bit and push the flat end of this against the pointed head of the pin to push it in.

Trouble is this is not ideal as at some point i can see me slipping and scratching the paint and also when removing the roof panel the rubber seal on the top of the windscreen need to be re-seated.

Does this suggest its the cable as the pin does move?

[s6boy]

Sounds to me like it is. As it is still moving the pin it must still be connected which I believe is good because re-threading it up through the buttress is a right pain. Presumably requires a good pair of pliars, double jointed neck and arms and a cable clamp, not done it myself but I think a search would throw more/ better answers up.
However look on the bright side weather is good all weekend so you can just leave the roof off

[stillgrinning]

I had the exactly the same problem and it turned out that the alloy bracket in the boot was bent so it gave the impression that the cable had stretched.

If it is that (and it only needs to be a little bent) you can easliy, with a bit of grunt, bend it straight again. Be a bit careful as I believe that the bracket is only glued onto the bodywork so always use two hands, one to support and one to apply the pressure.

This cured the problem and hasn't been a problem since.