Many thanks to John's (UK-C200) narrative on the "broomstick" method to prop up the retractable roof (so some minor lubrication and cleaning work can be done), I have scavenged some left-over material at home and now have a "broomstick".
I'd like to name it after John but don't know what to call it without causing a lot of unusual comments :biglaugh: John's Broomstick perhaps?
Anyhow....
Materials (all scavenged):
1. 16 inch long (3/4-inch square in my case) wooden stick or broomstick.
I found out through John's narrative that 16 inches is the distance (from the back edge of the front windscreen frame to the front border of roof) at which the partially retracted roof will stay balanced, i.e., not move forward nor backward when the hydraulic pressure to the partly open roof goes to zero.
2. Rubber leg tip (7/8" or 22 mm diameter in my case), you only need one (available at hardware stores in different diameters, I happen to have some spares)
Tools:
1. Small hand saw
2. Drill with 1/4" (6.4mm) drill bit, a slightly larger drill bit will also be fine
3. Motor Tool (optional)
Method:
1. Cut the broomstick or wooden stick to the specified length of 16 inches (41 cm), or a tad shorter. If you have a square wooden stick, round off the square profile so that it is round at one end (so it will accept the rounded rubber leg tip). Drill a 1/8 to 1/4 inch hole (following the longitudinal axis) about 1/2 to 3/4 inches deep (3-4 cm) at this end. In my case I enlarged the hole moderately with a motor tool, so that only the rubber leg tip is engaging the guide pin on the front edge of the roof and not hitting the wood (not a significant thing).
2. Drill a similar hole on the round rubber leg tip. See photo below:
3. Insert the rubber leg tip to the end with the drilled hole.
This will allow the tool to engage the guide pin located at the front edge of the retractable roof.
4. Cut out a 2cm x 1.5cm notch at the other end of the stick. This will allow the stick to rest at the front windscreen frame at the metal latch area.
Disclaimer: This is not an approved method by any means. Do this at your own risk and there is potential for serious bodily injury.
To use this broomstick tool:
Vehicle on level ground. Main windows should be down. Engine off.
Partially retract the roof to a point just beyond the 16-inch distance (say 18 inches) using the IR function of the remote key or center console roof control button. Position the tool with the hole at the rubber tip end lightly engaging the guide pin. Position the notched end at/near the area where the guide pin slides into, next to this is a small squarish metal plate. This is where I place the notched end.
In a few short moments when the hydraulic pressure drops, guide the roof forward with one hand while the other positions the tool. As John stated, the roof is very well balanced and can be coached to move forward or backward with mild to medium strength or force (prolly 10-15 lbs).
After you're done with the work, retract the roof (again with engine off), while holding on to the tool with one hand; remove tool as soon as it is disengaged.
Warning: Frequent operation of the roof with the engine off does drain your vehicle's battery.
I hope the above is helpful. I plan to use this tool when doing minor cleaning and lubrication of the rubber seals.
