Pop Top Help

[billroser]

Hey All -

I have an '03 SMB with electric pop-top and it has started to show some issues when lowering the top. At about 80% down, the top hesitates for about a second and then starts closing again. So far the top has continued to close all the way but I can't help thinking it could fail while out camping. There seems to be no issue when opening the pop-top so I think it's just an issue closing.

I'm trying to sort of if I can try to diagnose and fix on my own, rather than committing to a multi-day trip to SMB West. I'm hoping someone can help me with a few questions I have:

1. Anyone have a pop-top schematic they can share with me?
2. Are the lifts hydraulic?
3. If the pop-top gives out while in a open position, is there a way to manually lower the top so you can get back home?
4. Anyone ever replace one of the lifts or what I think are hydraulic arms? If so, any tips are appreciated.

Thanks for taking a look.

Bill

[boywonder]

The motors are lead screws driven by electric motors...made by linak.

The little short cylinder thingys near where the crossbars cross are some sort of dampers.....

The best thing to do is get a #2 phillips screwdriver, undo the upholstery around the mechanism and take a look at what's going on when it's going up/down. It's quite easy to peel back velour and take a look..

There are a number of poorly designed/executed weak points on the SMB lifting mechanism, for instance, the crappy pivot bolts in the crossbars. There are a number of threads here about upgrading this hardware.

Do you have anything on the roof? If you have stuff up there, you may need to tighten your springs....

Here is a picture of the Linak actuator from Bmerrit's power top:

[daveb]

Mine (2006 model) has always slowed down on the last few inches when closing the top. Haven't had it stop though.