OEM Ford Thunderbird Convertible Top Motor

Ford Thunderbird Convertible Top Motor Parts and Q&A

• Motor & Pump
  1W6Z-76533A00-AA
  Q: How to service and repair the convertible top motor on Ford Thunderbird?

  A:

  Servicing the convertible-top motor typically begins with the hydraulic components being removed as an assembly, and surfaces are often protected to prevent scratches; with the top closed and unlatched the well-sling interior trim cover is detached and the rear-window defrost-grid electrical connector is disconnected at the body rather than from the glass, the ground bolt is removed and the ground wire routed through the trim cover, which is set aside. While the top is generally left in the up position, the lift-cylinder bracket nuts and the lift-cylinder bolts are unfastened, the motor noise-reduction shroud is removed and the motor electrical connector is disconnected, hydraulic line retainers are released and the hydraulic lines are marked for correct reinstallation; the motor assembly is then lifted to release rubber retainers and the motor and lift cylinders can be withdrawn as a unit. For reassembly, the fill plug at the end of the motor assembly is removed and the pump is filled with transmission fluid to the bottom of the fill hole before the plug is replaced; a 12-volt source is typically applied to the motor connector to extend the lift cylinders, then reversed to retract them, cycling this sequence several times, after which fluid level is checked and topped off and the fill plug reinstalled. The motor assembly is positioned and the hydraulic line retainers engaged, the motor electrical connector is reattached, the shroud and lift-cylinder brackets are refitted and the bracket nuts are torqued to about 22 Nm (16 lb-in), with the lift-cylinder bolts installed while the top is up and torqued to about 20 Nm (15 lb-in); finally the defrost-grid ground wire is routed through the well-sling cover and the ground bolt torqued to about 12 Nm (9 lb-ft), the defrost connector and locator are reconnected to the body, and the well-sling interior trim cover is replaced.