Retractable Roof Will Not Fully Stow Into The Rear Compartment - keywords folding gas hydraulic inoperative latch loose rod strut

This PI was created to remove both struts and evaluate not just one at a time. Also added YB to keywords. Please discard PIC4135.

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

A customer may have a concern where the folding top will not retract or stow into the rear compartment. This may be the cause of a bent folding top gas strut(s). These are the struts that are parallel to the ground and reside on the left and right side of the trunk area connected to the hinge or linkage and are behind the trim between the wheel well and the B-pillar. These are NOT the gas struts that support the deck lid when the deck lid is open.

If the folding top is retracted into the trunk but seems to be inches away from the retracted position , press down on the top roof panel. If it feels springy, a bent gas strut rod may be at fault. Remove the gas struts for the folding top (not the deck lid) and inspect. If the strut(s) are found to be bent replace strut(s) that are bent and re-evaluate the top operation.

Note:: The struts should be removed together. Do Not operate the roof with only one strut installed on the roof panel.

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.