QuestionI just bought a 98 Sebring for my mother for mothers day. I have a brand new replacement top with minimal instructions. Do you have any step by steps for the removal of the factory outer roof skin? Thanks.
AnswerFOLDING TOP COVER
REMOVAL
Release folding top latches and allow top cover to relax.
Remove tack strip trim panel.
Remove headlining.
Remove all convertible top storage area sections.
Remove nuts holding tack strip to deck panel.
Remove tack strip from deck panel
CAUTION: Cover all painted and upholstered surfaces to avoid damage while performing the following operations.
Reposition tack strip above rear deck and quarter panels.
Using a grease pencil, mark location of outer top cover on rear tack strip to aid installation.
Remove staples holding top cover to rear tack strip.
Fold rear of top cover, tack strips and rear window up and over the third (rear) roof bow.
Remove screws holding roof rail tension cable springs to rear rail behind quarter glass opening.
Pull side rail rear weather-strips from weather-strip retainer channels.
Remove screws holding rear weather-strip retainer channels to convertible top mechanism.
Separate rear weather-strip retainer channels from vehicle.
Remove top cover listing from adhesive on roof rail.
Raise folding top to the mid point.
Remove screws holding convertible top header feature strip to header panel.
Mark location of top cover on top header.
Remove staples holding top cover to header.
Remove screws in end of roof bow.
Slide convertible top plastic retainer strips from channels in roof bows.
Close folding top, do not latch.
Slide tension cable out of cable pocket.
Disengage roof rail tension cables from header.
Remove top cover from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
Position convertible top cover on vehicle.
Slide tension cable through cable pocket.
Install rubber plugs holding roof rail tension cable ends into key hole slots in roof rails.
Install roof bows to convertible top mechanism.
Snap convertible top plastic retainer strips into channels in roof bows, starting at rear bow and working forward.
Install screws at ends of roof bows.
Raise convertible top to mid point.
Align top cover to mark made previously on header.
Install staples to hold top cover to header. The header uses both 3/16 and 1/4 inch staples. The 3/16 staples are used everywhere except the outboard corners where the blinding wraps around, at that point the 1/4 inch staple is used.
Install screws holding convertible top header feature strip to header panel.
Install screws holding roof rail tension cable springs to roof rear roof rail behind quarter glass opening.
Align mark made on rear of top cover and rear window to tack strip.
Install staples holding rear of top cover and rear window to tack strip.
Position tack strip to rear deck panel.
Install nuts holding tack strip to rear deck panel.
Install headlining.
Install all convertible top storage area sections.
Install tack strip trim panel.
Lower quarter glass.
Lower and secure convertible top.
Apply suitable adhesive to side rail rear section to attach top cover listing.
Pull top cover listing taunt and secure to adhesive on rear side rail.
Install side rail rear weather-strip retainer channels.
Install side rail rear weather-strips.
Verify fit and operation. Adjust as necessary
