Soft Top Mechanism Just Failed

[BFeller]

Title says it - now it's time to figure out what happened.

I went to put the top up and failed. The clam shell started up, then there was a pop and it went back down. It hasn't moved since. I looked at the control rod on the drivers side. It has come apart. The bolt that allows for the length adjustment has fallen out. I could see into in the foam trays. I disconnected the rest of that side. Next I removed the ball socket on the passenger side. I have to go back and figure out the how and where to remove the next connection in order to lift the clam shell. I have popped the clam shell arms out of the ball joints that are near the doors - only to realize that appears to be wrong. Reading the 101 Projects book and the Bentley manual seem to show a ball joint and socket the other end. Which might explain why the clam shell will not lift. I want to lift the clam shell in order to place the soft top into the service position. That should allow me to check for any other damage.

The previous owner told me that drivers side ball joints had cracked and failed. His mechanic replaced the it with the newer white plastic version. The rubber gasket in that joint is trashed and needs to be replaced.

I have pulled up the renntech 10 page discussion on tops linked in previous post on this forum. I am off to do some reading.

This whole thing blows up my plan to go for a ride in the Blue Ridge mountains this weekend.