C6 Convertible power top lifespan
 

My 2006 Z51 Convertible has 140K miles. I've recently refurbished the interior (Carpet, seats, steering wheel, shifter etc). It's my daily driver and I want to get at least another 100 K miles out of it. I care for it meticulously.

When does the power top on the convertible usually break? I'm thinking about putting in a new cloth top. If the power top motor is going to go, it would be best that I fix it before it goes as I don't have a garage to shelter from rain

I carry a 6mm allen wrench (Check me on the size since this is from memory) to release the pressure from the motor so that the top can be raised or lowered manually. The information for this is somewhere in the manual. The screw is located at one end of the pump and the pump is behind the carpet behind passenger side seat in the rear fender under the tonneau cover. The tonneau cover can be released manually by a wire sort of near/in the passenger seat hump.

It's a bit hard to find so have a look before you need use the manual mode.

I don't recall many posts about complete top failures.
As above become familiar with emergency pressure release to raise or lower.

I also don't recall any true preventative maintenance posts such as changing the hydraulic top fluid (such as with Ferrari 355 maintenance).

Not any posts any lubing the top frames hinges either.

But many posts on top cleaning, tonnoe (sp) vs rear window contact and sensor failures and a few about broken bows.

With that said....I have no other helpful comments.

Good luck.

I experienced the bows coming loose so I check them periodically especially when I operate the top more frequently.

The headliner seems to me like it is what goes first.

IMHO it has more to do with the number of cycles up and down.

Yeh, I tend to think it's a cumulative thing w. number of times up and down. As to the exterior top itself, if OP is really taking care of it well, even as a DD, it should last a lot longer. I would get to know as Kenny and others have said exactly how to operate that top manually before you need it. Kind of like knowing and using the key near the license plate before you need it because that lock is STIFF. And if you don't loosen it up first, you'll think it doesn't work, or feel like it's going to break the key. Really.

You're more likely to experience trouble with the limit switches before a pump failure.

I have a manual top, so the lifespan of the motor doesn't apply to me. However, I would be interested to know about forum members experience with the materials and construction of the top itself. How does it hold up? I know this is somewhat dependent on number of up/down cycles. I had a Jaguar convertible several years ago and it developed threadbare rub/contact spots at several locations toward the end of my four year ownership. Thanks in advance for your input.

I have a grey-beige top.

It currently has 240,000 miles and functions like new (knock-wood), except the tonneau has started touching the window (I just reach back and pull it forward). It looked like new up until 200,000 miles, with minor wrinkling only. It now has very minor dark marks in the "creases," though.

I use Tide and a dedicated soft brush to wash it, and never seal it

I can't even imagine how many thousands of cycles it's been through, I'm hoping it will last until 400,000 miles at least. :)

That's a pretty ringing endorsement that the top will last! Of course, like anything else your mileage may vary but at least we know it CAN last a long time---top, mechanism and motor. :thumbs:

:thumbs: Just want to thank you for the post. I went out and tried my 05 and the rear lock was nearly frozen.

<OP, Sorry not trying to hijack the thread>

^^^ You're quite welcome! I'm fairly certain the OP got enough posts on his original topic. Believe me: it was a learning experience about that key and I have "cclive" to thank for telling us about it years ago!