How To Service Your Smart Car Convertible Roof Mechanism
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- This video aims to demonstrate in as much detail as is reasonable outside of a workshop environment how to maintain the mechanicals of a Smart For Two Cabriolet Roof mechanism.
I have used Copper grease during the video as it aids visual awareness and you can understand the amount I have sued… and where I have placed the grease.
I have had a few messages stating their roof won’t fully close or fully open and this should help recognise what goes where and how the internals should look.
A couple of things I did not mention;-
1- The actual Roof lowering mechanism that lives in the rear compartment is usually covered by a plain large black plastic cover on both sides to protect the gears chewing anything up as it operates and also as the framework opens and closes, stops anything from getting in-between the gaps and causing damage.
mine was missing one and I have left the other off for symmetry.
2- upon following this lubrication process I noticed behind the drivers side.. the mechanism has a plastic lug that was freely spinning. I will investigate this as I think this has shaped off a mount.. it hasn’t caused any damage as yet…
I am NOT a professional mechanic and I do not profess to be one.. I try to show people how to save time and money and make it more convenient in doing some basic maintenance and fixes them selves.
I try to answer every comment and question the same day so if you have any real world questions .. fire away. I have owned a smart 451 now for 6 years in Diesel and petrol format, fixed head and now this drop top version.
if you have any videos you’d like done please ask away… I will, if possible try to achieve this for you where possible.
Thanks for all your support and im really glad ive helped some people along the way.
Great tips next weekend I’ll be following your instructions
@@michaellove4131 thanks for taking the time to comment. I hope the weather is good for you
Avoir to buy a 451 convertible for my son.
Your channel is an amazing source of information.
You get a new follower.
Awesome. Thank you kindly. 😇. The convertibles are such fun
Thanks for posting. My partners roof was down yesterday for the first time in months and started hesitating. I will do the same with Copper Grease
Don't use Copper Grease for this - you will regret as it ultimately will cause seizure. Silicone or lithium and very sparingly.
Si
A very good instructional video. With spring here I can use this video to help me properly service my top. Thank you.
James Duernberger really glad this helps. Thanks for taking the time to comment 🤓
I have recenly bought a Smart for Two Cabrio Passion MHD 1 (Registered 2014) There is a lot of wind noise located at the roof on the passener side.
I have inspected all the rubber and can not find any damage or cracks.
Have anyone got a solution for stopping the loud wind noise (Thanks sincerely)
@@RealHopeTV I have seen posts like this in Smart forums… if seals are ok look for this
1: check that all the panel gaps are consistent and have all the clips in. Sometimes a slight inconsistency creates a wind noise.
2: I do know that in some cabrios the fabric roof shrinks. Check its water tight. That is my best guess
I use white lithium grease works Great
I do not recommend using copper grease. It is not liquidy enough in order to creap into the joints. Copper grease is mainly used for bolts and threads.
I respect your opinion and understand the reason but three years and zero issues will keep me on my path. But, I also understand a graphite kind of lubricant is good. As it does not attract or retain particles.
I went to Mercedes and they tell me on the wheels from the Cabrio motor comes no fat just on the little parts comes a little bit of Silikon spray but the wheels must be free from fat because when you put fat on the wheels every dust comes in the motor
I’m have trouble with my conv 451 roof not quite closing and I think you are very close to me in CF82!! Any advice greatly received thank you
When I got my 452 conv the covers that go over the geared operating mechanism were missing. First check all connections are secure. And that the teeth on the sprockets are all there.
Or. Fully retract the roof and watch the mechanism go down and then up (get someone else to do this) look for kinks or obstructions.
Finally. It could be the micro switch (my best guess) my be faulty
@@smarte.r.1450 thank you it was the front clips on the drivers side a plastic lug had worn off £134 for a pair of clips direct from MB Main Dealer
@@PoachedEgg fab but… ouch!! Best wishes
My mom bought a 2008 Smart Fortwo Passion from her granson who has a used car dealership. She bought it for 2 K so she could have transportation while her Mercedes AMG was in the shop as they always have it for months. When she gets her car back she's selling the car to me. Before her grandson would sell her the car the roof leaked because did not attach fully in the front. He paid someone 400 bucks to attach it. How they attached it I don't know But the roof is no longer retractable. I'd like to fix this myself because I really want the convertible function. The guy told my nephew that it would take at least 2 K to fix the roof proper, so that's why he just attached it so it would not leak. I wish I knew what to do with it.
I would say the best type of lubricant for the cabrio roof is silicon spry. Why? Beauce the first portion of the roof is powered by a sigle motor that pushes cables lined with micro fibres, almost like pipe cleaners through the chanels. Using a grease or oil will accululate dust and derby witch ends up in the motors very tight drive cogs, causing eventual probelms. Silicon does not atract dust and debry while still greatly reducing friction and is thus the recomened lubricant for this application.
Retrospectively I e been recommended to use carbon graphic (lead pencil) or nothing for similar reasons. But it never gave me any problems In 3.5 years
I’m certain dry graphite would also be excellent for this application.
I’m certain dry graphite would also be excellent for this application.
I’m certain dry graphite would also be excellent for this application.
I’m certain dry graphite would also be excellent for this application.
Good video, but I guess more dust is going to get stuck on greased parts. I JUST use a brush to keep all moving parts dust free, it works fine with me.
Hi. Yes. That’s a sensible solution. And it’s been mentioned previously. My take on it is this. Both work... if you fail to clean routinely with a brush and allow grit to gather then the mechanism is at risk. If you use grease or lubricant it will retain and trap and when you clean next time or refresh (once a year) it doesn’t migrate the agitatant deeper into the system. Both work. Not all manufacturers suggestions have been right over the years for many servicing processes. Both work. Best of luck. And thanks for the comment 🤓
Always enjoy your videos, can I use arisol white grease
Thanks for the kind words. Yes. That will work too
@smarte.r.1450 thanks again for all your videos I am currently looking at a 2009 cabriolet smart for two with only 75000 kms on it. It will be my first soft top as I had a 2006 passion coupe back in the day.
@@darrenmcadam2318 great choice! You know what? I am toying with the idea of going back to a 451 cabriolet too. Great great fun.
Remember to check all the micro switches work on the roof mechanism. Take the roof/door rails off. And put them back on. Drive it with the roof down on a test drive. Then put it all back together.
Finally if you are in warmer climate than the uk , the material can stretch and let water in at the windscreen top! Smell for damp
Best of luck and thanks for the kind words. Really does motivate me.
Regards
Gareth
@smarte.r.1450 thanks for the tips on the roof I'll let you know how we make out.
Not sure u should be using copper grease on the rails. 4smart recommend using silicon spray on the rails.
Yes I’ve heard that. But I’ve seen and heard other mechanics use it. I have the top up and down everyday and has done no harm and Amis still as smoooooth as silk 🤓
Can we get more smart e.r news?? 😁
There simply wasn’t the demand for it Kath. Believe it or not it was the most time consuming to do. 😞
What about leak on top canvas? Water drops to pillar
What’s the question??
Hi, good video. Is there meant to be a plastic cover to hide all the parts you’re oiling up? I’ve just bought an 04 convertible and it doesn’t have a cover. Thanks
On the gears that live in the “boot/trunk” (on the sides) yes there should be covers.
The runners or sliders came off my tracks (don’t ask me how!) and I was left with the soft top flapping around. I managed to put them back before a storm hit, but I must have not put them back properly as the roof will now not open (apart from manually)
Do you have a video showing exactly how I should have done it
I’m guessing I either put a slider in the wrong track or the wire mechanism should have been engaged first and then sliders put in?
Jos Wellman I’m sorry I don’t have a video for this.... I’m currently trawling the internet for a mk1 smart to be able to tear down so things like this would be useful. 😞
All I can think of is that the micro switches may have been damaged or not connected at the rear rising and lowering gear. It’s hard to say without seeing the issue really.
Try “Evilution” he normally has a wealth of information. Google his name and search his documents. Hope you get this resolved. Please message back with a resolution
Best of luck. Gareth
Cabrios have a small piece of plastic on the top rail above the windscreen, Any ideas why please?
Wind deflection. Put you hand up and feel how well it works at speed.
Yup. It’s for deflection purposes
Hello, my boot handle is broken and i can’t have any access to the engine bay... i don’t know how to open it from inside . Din’t know how to solve this common problem. Do you have any video or idea about how to solve this problem??? Thank you very much
Nice video mate. Have you had any roof problems and hence applying the grease? On another note trying to gauge your accent. Wales?
I held onto the cabriolet for 2 years and zero issues and it was driven daily. By chance a few months back it was behind me in Cardiff city centre. I got out at traffic lights and the driver said he had zero issues with anything he’d had it after me for about 8 months. So yes, Welsh. Lol
@@smarte.r.1450 I thought so but did not want to offend incase i got it wrong lol. I picked up a 10 plate Brabus last week. Roof jammed today! Chap called Ian came out and sorted! Relay was gone and front clips.
@@MrRawUK glad it’s sorted. Great car. What colour?
@@smarte.r.1450 Silver. Wanted black but Silver is not to bad.
@@MrRawUK sooooo prefer the silver. Congratulations buddy
Convert coupe to cabrio smart 451 ? Is it possible ? Or to make something alike ?
No. Don’t do it. Lol
I have a question about the “sliders” that are part of the fabric top and slide in the newly lubricated rails. Are they replaceable or adjustable? I have one that will stop the top when raising.
I don’t believe they are replaceable sorry
Smart E.R. Thank you 😊
@@MrJacard05 they are replacable
@@splynk1 thank you for your reply about my roof sliders. I appreciate your input.
Wicked buddy. Xxxx
Thanks x
ACTUNG those are dry lube joints.
I have been told this many times. Thanks for the comment though. When I had it the channels were lubed and I had this for over 3 years with zero issues whatsoever. As anyone that has done any research on this mechanism will know, it can fail to function and, unfortunately it’s quite common.
This was done as a preventative measure and for over three years it did not fail to operate smoothly.
Keep safe! Happy New Year!