Hardtop is Stuck on

Jakob1972

Yesterday was a beautiful day and we were going to go topless but I could not get the passenger roof panel off. I un-latched all latches but it was stuck right by the windshield above the rear view mirror. I was able to get the driver side off with a little finesse there is not much room with the roof rack. But the passenger side was like held on with glue or something. I could wiggle the top but that part was not budging. I am sure I had all the clasps open. Has anyone experience this?
Thanks

Both times I have taken the front panels off I have had this problem. It’s stuck on the pin there. I was able to get it free by playing with it and gently wiggling the panel around. Just be careful where you grab as the front edge above the windshield can be razor sharp.

@Jakob1972 -
No I haven’t had that issue yet.
I had the reverse problem having the panels off for several months and then trying to reinstall them ,
I just chalked it up to the weatherstrip being non compressed for that long.
I’m anxious to know what you can surmise is the removal culprit though.

Are you in TX?
I have found that on particular warm days, or days my Bronco has been in direct sunlight, the silicone seal begins to melt on that side.
When I go to remove that panel, it "sticks" because of the melted silicone acting like glue.
You will know if this is it, because you will have black goop on your A-pillar and panel.

Sounds like it's just sticking. There's nothing there, but the pin slots it's sitting in, but I get wanting to be careful about taking it off.

The first time I took mine off it was stuck a bit, but I just wiggled, and hit the underside with the palm of my hand to pop it free


My advice ?

Get a sledge hammer.... problem solved....

My advice is to take it to your dealership, faint ignorance and have them "Show" you the proper way to remove the roof. Then have them be the ones that damage it.

SCBronco1

My advice is to take it to your dealership, faint ignorance and have them "Show" you the proper way to remove the roof. Then have them be the ones that damage it.

So.... I take it you disagree with my get a sledgehammer advice ?

MarkPS

So.... I take it you disagree with my get a sledgehammer advice ?

Thinking that MIGHT void the warranty . . . I could be wrong though.😉

matt1540

Are you in TX?
I have found that on particular warm days, or days my Bronco has been in direct sunlight, the silicone seal begins to melt on that side.
When I go to remove that panel, it "sticks" because of the melted silicone acting like glue.
You will know if this is it, because you will have black goop on your A-pillar and panel.

Yep Im in Texas and it was sitting in the sun so this seems like what it could be. I tried to loosen it with a few blows from my fist but I didn't want to mess anything up.

MarkPS

So.... I take it you disagree with my get a sledgehammer advice ?

Sledgehammers are the only way to fix Chevys, shouldn't need it here.

Just ran across this post. I am having the same issue with my front passenger roof panel. I have believe it is the pin in front of the latch. If I shuffle the panel back and forth it will hit a sweet spot and I can remove it.

My new issues is I have bought a roof system that allows me to flip the front panels back on the middle section. BUT the front passenger panel won't flip like the drivers.

Is there any adjusting the pin/bolt that sets down into the mount? Or is the mount adjustable?

I have not had a chance to really look into it yet. Any info or input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Hmm my ultimate fix for my situation was to remove the roof rack which I wasn’t really a fan of but came with. You just have to move that panel until the pin gets to the sweet spot then the top comes right off. Now that we have been doing it for over a year it is just second nature. But the issue is the pin is like an old school door strike so it is mushroom shaped and the hole it fits in is elongated so if you are not in the widest opening you can’t get it out. I have found if you hold your mouth just right it helps. 😄

MarkPS

So.... I take it you disagree with my get a sledgehammer advice ?

I'd suggest a rubber mallet, less evidence of using a tool to open it. ;-)

Thanks for replying! I actually found a few links to help me solve the issue. Turns out Ford has a TSB on the issue of the front panels sticking. I will find the number for that and the thread about how to fix it and posted them here. Basically the mounting bracket/s are not installed level (aka half assed) during assembly. It says the bolts (a T50) that attach the mounts to the frame were over torqued causing the mounts to not be level. Thus causing them to stick and also possibly cause the front panels to not lay evenly. I will attach a picture I took when I fixed mine. I needed mine to open smoothly for a roof rack system I am installing. It allows me to flip the front panels back onto the middle section. Then I can slide the middle section (along w/the fronts) on to a half roof rack over the back and look them all in place. Its a pretty easy fix. It is funny how such a small amount of gap can cause such a headache.

The thread is on Bronco6G.com and the title is **SOLVED** Hard Top Is Stuck - Won't Come Off!
Thread starter Stephen SJ Start date Nov 13, 2022 Watchers9

I googled **SOLVED** Hard Top is stuck and it popped up.

For TSB

https://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Bronco/2022/tsbs/

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/tsb_recall/tsbs/ford/bronco/2023

https://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Bronco/2023/tsbs/

Let me know how it goes for you.

DanoLaw

Thanks for replying! I actually found a few links to help me solve the issue. Turns out Ford has a TSB on the issue of the front panels sticking. I will find the number for that and the thread about how to fix it and posted them here. Basically the mounting bracket/s are not installed level (aka half assed) during assembly. It says the bolts (a T50) that attach the mounts to the frame were over torqued causing the mounts to not be level. Thus causing them to stick and also possibly cause the front panels to not lay evenly. I will attach a picture I took when I fixed mine. I needed mine to open smoothly for a roof rack system I am installing. It allows me to flip the front panels back onto the middle section. Then I can slide the middle section (along w/the fronts) on to a half roof rack over the back and look them all in place. Its a pretty easy fix. It is funny how such a small amount of gap can cause such a headache.

@DanoLaw would you mind sharing what roof rack system you have?

EZ 4x4, they have been doing a lot for Jeeps the last several years and are now handling Bronco items. I love the system. https://eztrunk.net/ I have There is video and PDF for the install. They also have a rolling cart for the doors and install pins for the doors. The pins making putting the doors on super easy.

https://eztrunk.net/

https://qrco.de/beYazU