Hi guys, wish me luck. Just sent my 2 top pistons along with the header latch to Top Hydraulics for overhaul. Went for the full monti, all 6 new hoses to boot. I await their return and I will let you know how I make out.

Rich

 

Wish you luck! I'll be doing the same shortly. I'm interested in how you make out.

 

Thank you, I am sure to report to all once my top is working like new. In my case it appears to be the piston seals leaking. My pistons are in good shape otherwise. ( no rust or bores). The header latch has a small weep as well. Looks to me as mear seal
degradation. Rich

 

I did the exact same thing earlier this summer with hoses and rebuild from Top Hydraulics. Fast turn-around and quality hoses. Not a hard job, but very time consuming. Seems like everything has to be removed from the interior. The only hard part of the job was I had was fishing the hoses under the driver’s side carpet. Take your time and you should have no problems.

 

remove the chrome sill seal and you can lift the carpet to feed the hose thru

 

Hope to hear.....

 

Hi Glenn, thank you for the encouragement. Not worried about taking the interior apart, just around the fuse box and header. Did you have any trouble with pulling the hoses through? Rich

 

Howdy Folks:
I removed the old hoses from their retainer in that area with a HF $.99 four hook set . The new hoses are smaller diameter which make installation in that area easier. As others have warned, do not over tighten the hose connections (I think they have O rings). I do not know the rule of thumb but it take only a little torque to make them seal. Overtightening will ruin the connection.
In general, I would say that if you are smart enough to go the whole Top Hydraulics route, then you should be able to figure the rest out. Regardless, there is plenty of help on the forum. Good luck
Also, this would be a good time to one to also install Steve's Key Fob Remote Control Convertible Top .

 

if i remember right i cut the hose at the top of the windshield pillar tied a strong piece of string to it ( i used electeical tape ) then pulled it down thru the dash. i then attached it to the new line and pulled it back up. a stiff wire may do the same also and be more rigid for this. also believe there's a clamp of some kind around the fuse box for the hoses. the pillar covers if i remember just snap out. try to pull them out at 90@ so as not to snap of the plastic retainers

 

Thank you for the hint, Dr. Rams and hoses are en route home per tracking. Now to find the install time... Rich

By the way, Mom ( 90 and lives by herself in her own home) lives near Hickory.

 

that would put you around my age then. she would be about an hr or so ne of me.