Convertable Boot Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 435
Likes: 3
From: Lake Orion Michigan
Convertable Boot Question
I have an 04 convertible.
The boot does not stay in the open position as it should when I raise and lower the top.
The boot just drops down making it difficult to raise and lower the top.
I don't see any access for adjustment .
This is a new problem as the boot has always stayed up until this year.
I don't raise or lower the top often if this is a symptom of this problem.
Any suggestions?
The boot does not stay in the open position as it should when I raise and lower the top.
The boot just drops down making it difficult to raise and lower the top.
I don't see any access for adjustment .
This is a new problem as the boot has always stayed up until this year.
I don't raise or lower the top often if this is a symptom of this problem.
Any suggestions?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 627
Likes: 181
From: west coast of Canada
I think you're referring to the Tonneau cover. Sounds like you have to replace the struts. They're available on Amazon. Just did mine last Sept. I had to get into the trunk to release mine. Here's how... To Remove Tonneau Cover Struts ( a variety of approaches).
Look under the side of the trunk hatch. I thought the covers had to be removed but they don't.
Reach through the open Tonneau Cover to pop the front part of each strut.
You can skip steps 6 through 9. While you have the Tonneau Cover open simply connect the strut on the forward ball joint and slide your hand down on the strut and attach the rear end. Easy Peasy.
1. Open the trunk. Look under the sides and you will see the struts.
2. Pry off both the spring clips with a screwdriver or scratch awl.
3. Close the trunk.
4. Open the top hatch and prop it up in the fully raised position. The strut is now in the fully extended position and not under pressure.
5. Reach down and pull the strut off the ball joints.
6. Close the top hatch.
7. Open the trunk and snap the new strut on the aftermost ball joint, making sure that the rod end is positioned toward the front of the car.
8. Close the trunk.
9. Open the top hatch and snap the rod end on the forward ball joint.
The hatch will now stand up by itself.
10. Repeat for the other side
Open the trunk lid- feel underneath the top of the fender (I found feeling for them was the best way for me to find them- reach up underneath the rear quarter panel and feel around and eventually you will feel them).
Prying the spring steel clip off of the strut socket to release from the ball was the most difficult part of the job for me--- and it wasn't all that hard- it just required a flashlight and a bit of bending. I removed both of the struts where they connected to the bracket in the trunk, then closed the trunk lid.
Next I opened the Tonneau Cover, propped it with a broom stick, and again feeling for the struts found them and simply pulled them off of the ball of the Tonneau Cover (this can be done by hand).
The new struts are very easy to get back on (no need to go into the trunk)- with the Tonneau Cover propped open, take the cylinder (thick end) in your hand (left hand for driver side, right hand for passenger side) and reach back through to the rear most ball, feeling for the ball, once you feel it, simply snap the new strut on (no need to fiddle with the clips to snap struts on), then move your hand up to the socket of the smaller rod end and snap that onto the Tonneau Cover ball.
The only things I add, to the above suggestions by others is that you might want to feel for the struts first- and that you can snap on the new struts via the propped open deck lid by feeling for the rear most ball with the strut in your hand. No need to go back into the trunk.
Look under the side of the trunk hatch. I thought the covers had to be removed but they don't.
Reach through the open Tonneau Cover to pop the front part of each strut.
You can skip steps 6 through 9. While you have the Tonneau Cover open simply connect the strut on the forward ball joint and slide your hand down on the strut and attach the rear end. Easy Peasy.
1. Open the trunk. Look under the sides and you will see the struts.
2. Pry off both the spring clips with a screwdriver or scratch awl.
3. Close the trunk.
4. Open the top hatch and prop it up in the fully raised position. The strut is now in the fully extended position and not under pressure.
5. Reach down and pull the strut off the ball joints.
6. Close the top hatch.
7. Open the trunk and snap the new strut on the aftermost ball joint, making sure that the rod end is positioned toward the front of the car.
8. Close the trunk.
9. Open the top hatch and snap the rod end on the forward ball joint.
The hatch will now stand up by itself.
10. Repeat for the other side
Open the trunk lid- feel underneath the top of the fender (I found feeling for them was the best way for me to find them- reach up underneath the rear quarter panel and feel around and eventually you will feel them).
Prying the spring steel clip off of the strut socket to release from the ball was the most difficult part of the job for me--- and it wasn't all that hard- it just required a flashlight and a bit of bending. I removed both of the struts where they connected to the bracket in the trunk, then closed the trunk lid.
Next I opened the Tonneau Cover, propped it with a broom stick, and again feeling for the struts found them and simply pulled them off of the ball of the Tonneau Cover (this can be done by hand).
The new struts are very easy to get back on (no need to go into the trunk)- with the Tonneau Cover propped open, take the cylinder (thick end) in your hand (left hand for driver side, right hand for passenger side) and reach back through to the rear most ball, feeling for the ball, once you feel it, simply snap the new strut on (no need to fiddle with the clips to snap struts on), then move your hand up to the socket of the smaller rod end and snap that onto the Tonneau Cover ball.
The only things I add, to the above suggestions by others is that you might want to feel for the struts first- and that you can snap on the new struts via the propped open deck lid by feeling for the rear most ball with the strut in your hand. No need to go back into the trunk.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
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