MIC Hardtop pins shearing off the top easily. DEFECT?

[thatspecialbeat]

Definitely poor design. I'm glad I saw these pics because I can absolutely assume this would happen to me at some point. I guess you won't realize how much that plastic is flexing and how thin/fragile it is until the damage is done. Yes, there needs to be something there to reinforce and distribute the pressure as you stated. I don't even think a large washer would be enough to feel confident. But even if you use something larger, will the plastic simply crack along the lines of your reinforcer? This is not good. We store our top on a scaffold so there is definitely some pressure on those pins as the top is moved into place. I did have the foresight to drill holes in the scaffold platform for those pins to sit in so the entire weight of the top isn't supported by the pins (and the thin plastic above them), but there's no doubt there's a dangerous amount of force being applied to those pins every time we move the top. There are unavoidable times where all the top's weight rests on those 4 pins, and sometimes with some sideways pressure being applied to the pins as well as you shift the top around.

Clearly a design defect not to reinforce it. If you can't place the roof on a flat surface that seems like a problem.

Good to know.

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[BroncoPls!]

Does not look good! Were you using a lift or was this being done by hand? I was planning on removing my top quite often, but his does give me pause.

 

[Ksjrb03]

I can’t guess how many hours/days my top has sat on the concrete with those pins supporting all the weight. We already know some are built better than others.

 

[McBronc]

Does not look good! Were you using a lift or was this being done by hand? I was planning on removing my top quite often, but his does give me pause.

All done by hand.

 

[KingWillard]

I broke one of the pins on my first Bronco that I bought as an abandoned order (MIC 1.0). We were struggling a little getting the top on. Definitely a weak spot though. I have a hoist set up now for the Bronco that I originally ordered and got in May, and it is easier to line things up, but wouldn’t be surprised if it happened to the MIC 2.0 as there are no changes in the build around the pins.

 

[BroncoDymond88]

One of mine tore off trying to remove the top because I didn't realize it was there. I would like to know how much of a safety issue it is, maybe there are enough other bolts in place that losing even all 4 pins isn't a problem? I pretty much know for a fact that Ford will deny a request to replace the back shell citing user error.

 

[DrewBronc21]

I’ve cracked a couple off. Any recommendations for a preferably black colored fiberglass epoxy to repair?

 

[ColoradoKid26]

I cracked one last night installing my hardtop.

I'd love to see an aftermarket solution for this, like washers or a metal clamp around the pins.

 

[DrewBronc21]

I epoxied broken ones and added some washers for additional reinforcement. Will see how they hold up. The fiberglass bottom of the hardtop is extremely thin and brittle. I really think it’s a design flaw and the material should be MUCH thicker And screws in pins should have wide washers.

 

[indio22]

I epoxied broken ones and added some washers for additional reinforcement. Will see how they hold up. The fiberglass bottom of the hardtop is extremely thin and brittle. I really think it’s a design flaw and the material should be MUCH thicker And screws in pins should have wide washers.

First thing I did after removing the top was remove the 4 locating pins. They are mainly for initially locating the top on the body but are not needed. (And a potential stress point and crack waiting to happen.)

I found it easier to reinstall the top without the locating pins. Because I can set the top down on the body even if not perfectly lined up, and then slide into position as needed.

 

[X JBM X]

I've taken the hard top off and put back on a couple dozen times with the TopLift Pro and all the pins are still intact...

 

[MAK3]

First thing I did after removing the top was remove the 4 locating pins. They are mainly for initially locating the top on the body but are not needed. (And a potential stress point and crack waiting to happen.)

I found it easier to reinstall the top without the locating pins. Because I can set the top down on the body even if not perfectly lined up, and then slide into position as needed.

I did the exact same thing. Easy to put back on and won’t be a problem in the future.

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