Soft Top is Hard to Push Open

[B-rad351]

I have a ‘24 Badlands 4S and the soft top takes everything I have to push open the first section. It always stops straight up and can fall in either direction. I grunt and groan and finally get it to go back. Win 1.
When I open it all the way, after the initial struggle and win, I pull the release lever and start the struggle for stage 2. I can get it to move back a little, but then have to shimmy around to the rear while holding the linkage with one hand and grab a hunk of the roof itself with the other hand and again pull with everything I have to get it all the way down. WTH??
I’m 5’9, 220 lbs. Not a weakling by any means. Are they all this way?

The video I watched on YouTube shows the guy moving the roof back each stage with very little force.
Putting the roof back is easy. That must be because of the mini struts on the linkage?

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[Bschurr]

It should not be that hard to open the soft top. Did you check to see if anything’s binding?

 

[B-rad351]

It should not be that hard to open the soft top. Did you check to see if anything’s binding?

Yes, I checked the linkage and attachments, nothing I can see. I agree, something must be binding.

 

[adam1991]

Mine's been that way since day 1, and still is--at least the first opening, which is all we ever do anymore. I have to open the door, get up high, and give it a helluva push to get up and over the vertical point. Even after that, it gently falls backward.

But it's all properly installed.

 

[B-rad351]

Mine's been that way since day 1, and still is--at least the first opening, which is all we ever do anymore. I have to open the door, get up high, and give it a helluva push to get up and over the vertical point. Even after that, it gently falls backward.

But it's all properly installed.

Thanks for sharing. I wasn’t sure, so again thanks for telling me yours is the same.

 

[Calm horse]

That's not normal..should be able to open and close with one hand. May need to lubricate all the moving pieces!

 

[B-rad351]

That's not normal..should be able to open and close with one hand. May need to lubricate all the moving pieces!

Wow! Okay, I’ll try that. Thanks

 

[23BDBigSean]

Maybe this is a dumb question but are you standing on the ground or standing on your side steps? I’m 6’2” and stand on the hoop steps for better leverage.

are you the original owner? I ask because if not the previous owner may have installed the IAG EZ lift struts… you only need one hand to close it- but you need three hands to open it…

 

[adam1991]

Maybe this is a dumb question but are you standing on the ground or standing on your side steps? I’m 6’2” and stand on the hoop steps for better leverage.

are you the original owner? I ask because if not the previous owner may have installed the IAG EZ lift struts… you only need one hand to close it- but you need three hands to open it…

the part close to the windshield? Has nothing to do with the ez lift struts in the back.

Mine was always hard to open and close, from day 1. Not impossible, but did require not only getting up higher but also some decent muscle.

 

[23BDBigSean]

the part close to the windshield? Has nothing to do with the ez lift struts in the back.

Mine was always hard to open and close, from day 1. Not impossible, but did require not only getting up higher but also some decent muscle.

Obviously, yes. The OP said he had trouble all around getting the soft top open.

 

[adam1991]

Obviously, yes. The OP said he had trouble all around getting the soft top open.

agreed, if it's the second level down part, the ez lift struts do make it harder. That much I did know and discover to be true.

 

[B-rad351]

Maybe this is a dumb question but are you standing on the ground or standing on your side steps? I’m 6’2” and stand on the hoop steps for better leverage.

are you the original owner? I ask because if not the previous owner may have installed the IAG EZ lift struts… you only need one hand to close it- but you need three hands to open it…

I do stand on the ground. I’ve stood on the steps too, but for me (5’9), it seems like I lose some leverage while trying to maintain balance on the steps.
Yes, I just got this new in April, a leftover ‘24 model.

 

[B-rad351]

agreed, if it's the second level down part, the ez lift struts do make it harder. That much I did know and discover to be true.

Yes, I did put the ez lifts on it, but my biggest effort goes into lifting it up right after releasing the latch. Once I wrestle it back to where the ez lift struts are, it’s not difficult to overpower them and bring fully down to latch.

 

[B-rad351]

Obviously, yes. The OP said he had trouble all around getting the soft top open.

Yes, it’s a workout! The first section is stiff from the start and always stops when it’s straight up in the air. The wind can either be a hindrance or help.
Once that section is fully back, I release the handle that latches both sides. Then the struggle begins again. Lifting and moving both sections up and back takes a lot of muscle. Once I get it started back, I shinny around to the rear corner while keeping it steady and grab a hunk of roof and pull like hell until it rests on the last section which I easily overpower the ez lifts struts and get it all the way and latched into place.

 

[B-rad351]

the part close to the windshield? Has nothing to do with the ez lift struts in the back.

Mine was always hard to open and close, from day 1. Not impossible, but did require not only getting up higher but also some decent muscle.

Thank you

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