Hardtop Clamshell Brackets: Not Connected to Frame

[doink]

Greetings.

Formerly soft top, now have a hard top by way of Ford Parts. Have had it several months and the squeaking has become unbelievable.

Today I spent a good bit of time troubleshooting (lubricating, tightening, etc) after finding some very helpful threads.

I did notice something curious

There is a bracket that isn’t attached to anything on the vehicle.

Does anyone else have a similar situation? Please note: my local Ford dealer installed it for me after they took delivery.

All hard top removal videos I’ve seen from the time of launch has this “Z Bracket” bolted to the frame.

Thanks in advance!

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[Techun]

That should have a bolt in it...

 

[doink]

That should have a bolt in it...

My thoughts exactly. Didn’t know if new MIC hardtops are different from MY21.

 

[Nc211]

That definitely needs to be bolted down. Should be two per bracket to the frame. Same bolts for that, that are used to bolt it down along the back. No wonder you're rattling/squeaking! You're basically attached along the back windows and the windshield only, and floating in between! wouldn't surprise me if you leaked like a screen door too if you got into a rain storm!

I just put mine back on for the winter a couple of weeks ago. Not a squeak, rattle, or drop of water to be seen or heard so far.

 

[doink]

That definitely needs to be bolted down. Should be two per bracket to the frame. Same bolts for that, that are used to bolt it down along the back. No wonder you're rattling/squeaking! You're basically attached along the back windows and the windshield only, and floating in between! wouldn't surprise me if you leaked like a screen door too if you got into a rain storm!

I just put mine back on for the winter a couple of weeks ago. Not a squeak, rattle, or drop of water to be seen or heard so far.

Definitely strange. The gap is huge too. Are there generally some spacers etc to help?

The dealership gave me all the hardware left over from my soft top and I did see the bolts. But there’s zero percent chance they could secure anything given the space between the bracket and the car.

 

[HeliPilot]

Definitely strange. The gap is huge too. Are there generally some spacers etc to help?

The dealership gave me all the hardware left over from my soft top and I did see the bolts. But there’s zero percent chance they could secure anything given the space between the bracket and the car.

Mine looks just like that once I remove the bolts. You need to install the bolts, the brackets will snug up to the roll bar. There are no spacers.

 

[Nc211]

Definitely strange. The gap is huge too. Are there generally some spacers etc to help?

The dealership gave me all the hardware left over from my soft top and I did see the bolts. But there’s zero percent chance they could secure anything given the space between the bracket and the car.

Not on mine, no spacers, and it sat high like that too. Once you start ratcheting them down, they will bend down into place and will also pull down the top tighter to the car as well. Mine connect right down to the frame.

 

[Nc211]

Second question, the trim pieces along the back of the rear window frame. Did they remove them for you prior to installing the HT? They're the fan looking black pieces about 3 inches wide, maybe 12 inches tall. If you're not sure, push the edge of the HT that meet the back edge of your rear door windows. If there is some movement, then they removed them as they should (and you should have them). If there is no movement, then they did not remove them and covered them up with the HT. I'm not entirely sure if that will cause any long-term damage or not, but when I removed my ST and put on my HT for the very first time a few weeks ago myself, I had forgotten about those two trim pieces. Thankfully remembered them before I bolted it down and was able to get them out. If you have rubbing / squeaking noises in that area of the HT, and they didn't remove them, then that's likely your culprit. Would be two hard surfaces rubbing against each other.

 

[soupcansam]

Greetings.

Formerly soft top, now have a hard top by way of Ford Parts. Have had it several months and the squeaking has become unbelievable.

Today I spent a good bit of time troubleshooting (lubricating, tightening, etc) after finding some very helpful threads.

I did notice something curious

There is a bracket that isn’t attached to anything on the vehicle.

Does anyone else have a similar situation? Please note: my local Ford dealer installed it for me after they took delivery.

All hard top removal videos I’ve seen from the time of launch has this “Z Bracket” bolted to the frame.

Thanks in advance!

You should definitely tell the dealership they're missing some bolts here.

Alternatively, you can upgrade to Rockworkz bolts as a full set or just buy a pack of two from them (this is something I'm planning to do for my 2 door hard top eventually, just haven't done it yet).

 

[doink]

Quick bump- can anyone share a picture of the brackets connected/bolted down?
These apparently don’t even line up with where the bolt would go.

I guess a dealer intern installed this thing.

 

[KABQ]

I'd try loosening all the bolts so you can shift the top around to get the top brackets aligned. There's actually quite a bit of play to be had.

 

[indio22]

Definitely strange. The gap is huge too. Are there generally some spacers etc to help?

The dealership gave me all the hardware left over from my soft top and I did see the bolts. But there’s zero percent chance they could secure anything given the space between the bracket and the car.

I'm concerned about the large gap, leastways my 2-door hardtop does not have that gap. In fact I recall it has basically no gap. How much stress will be put on the top cranking down with a wrench?

 

[BoverW]

You can use Anderson hardtop installation manual as a reference since they are oem copy. In their first page (step 4b), they mentioned you may need to loose two bolts to align the front hole. You may need to do it on both sides.

Ask your dealer to refund the installation labor cost.

https://andersoncomposites.com/medi...D-BK_InstallationInstructions_05_13_24_v7.pdf

 

[Timo]

You can use Anderson hardtop installation manual as a reference since they are oem copy. In their first page (step 4b), they mentioned you may need to loose two bolts to align the front hole. You may need to do it on both sides.

Ask your dealer to refund the installation labor cost.

https://andersoncomposites.com/medi...D-BK_InstallationInstructions_05_13_24_v7.pdf

Step 8 has an interesting picture. Is that a headliner blanket?

 

[BoverW]

Step 8 has an interesting picture. Is that a headliner blanket?

Yes, that might be the best part of Anderson top. Looks nice.

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