2Door hardtop panel won’t come off

[Ramble_Offroad]

2023 2Door

My hardtop has a significant air leak between the passenger side panel and the rear / main top. Enough that I can feel the air push through it while driving, not to mention additional wind noise. It’s worse on cold days. So on the first warm day I had after I picked it up I attempted to open it all up / remove the front panels and check the bulb seals. This is not new…

Well here’s a new one.

The passenger side roof panel won’t come off. Ha! It has some kind of conflict within the registration pin. All the locking mechanisms function normally. I was able to lift the passenger panel up slightly without removing it and gently push the rear main seal on the main / rear top in a bit more, as it did not appear to be straight. This helped the wind incursion noise slightly but did not eliminate the issue.

Granted I’ve only tried to take it off twice, so grand total of approx 10 minutes of tinkering. Driver’s side comes right off as prescribed. Passenger side? Nope. I don’t want to force it so it is what it is until I have time to have it looked at by a local dealer.

Has anyone experienced this?

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[BroncoBoy22]

Smart move taking it to the dealer first. They would surely blame you if something broke while you were trying to get it off lol

 

[Bikeric]

Just verifying you did have the driver side panel off first, and then tried to remove the passenger side??

 

[Ramble_Offroad]

Oh yes. Not my first rodeo.

but thanks, that actually made me giggle.

 

[Ramble_Offroad]

Is there a “door rattle” TSB?
Secondary minor issue to remedy.

searching now.

 

[Lifeliberty]

I saw something about this happening before. There was a fix, like taking the headboard off and loosening some screws, maybe for the brackets. Something about the top catching on something.

Yeah, not great help, BUT, the point is that yes, it's happened

 

[Fencelizard]

Are you sure its not just sticky gaskets?

 

[Lifeliberty]

Here https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/solved-hard-top-is-stuck-wont-come-off.58896/post-1818470

 

[Ramble_Offroad]

Are you sure its not just sticky gaskets?

Yes, it has a very clear mechanical obstruction. It will move free of the seals but the registration pin won’t clear. very clear audible “clunk” at full stop.

 

[Ramble_Offroad]

Here https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/solved-hard-top-is-stuck-wont-come-off.58896/post-1818470

Ahh! Thanks!!! I’ll check that out.

 

[ElDuderino]

Here https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/solved-hard-top-is-stuck-wont-come-off.58896/post-1818470

My 23 has the same issue but the driver side roof panel is getting caught. There is more noticeable air leaking on the passenger side panel as well. Once I get it back from the detailer I will try this fix out.

 

[Lifeliberty]

I was able to fix this myself.

1. Loosen the Windshield Header Trim Panel, by removing the sun visor clip, start with the driver's side, as this was the only one I had to adjust, because once this was fixed, the passenger side didn't have the same problem.

You can gently pull down the header trim, right to the left of the upper center console (where the map lights/aux switches, etc. are). To expose the TP30 bolts of the front striker plate, where it attaches to the windshield header.

2. Loosen these bolts (do not remove the bolts). Once loosened try to remove the panel. You should be able to remove it at this point, you'll notice that this striker pin is not smooth, but has a lip going around the bottom.
3. Tighten the striker plate bolts, but don't over tighten, they should only be tightened to 15lb - ft. On my particular vehicle these were over tightened at the factory which misaligned the striker plate.
4. Push header trim panel back in place and re-install the sun visor clips.

Ahh! Thanks!!! I’ll check that out.

My 23 has the same issue but the driver side roof panel is getting caught. There is more noticeable air leaking on the passenger side panel as well. Once I get it back from the detailer I will try this fix out.

I've never had my top off yet. Hopefully i don't need to worry about it. @emulous74 might be able to help, you can thank him

 

[Ramble_Offroad]

My 23 has the same issue but the driver side roof panel is getting caught. There is more noticeable air leaking on the passenger side panel as well. Once I get it back from the detailer I will try this fix out.

Lets us know if the air leak and panel removal conflict are related. I’ll try to do the same when I have time to tinker. Good luck.

 

[Tex]

Sounds like the same thing that happens to mine.
I just keep wiggling until I can pull it out...

 

[Save The Manuals]

I’m in the same boat, with the roof rack only adding to difficulty. Tempted to remove it first but I know I should be able to remove the front panels without doing so. Such a pain!

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