Check your J-hooks on your convertible closure

[AKBirdie]

I took our 02 Bird on a cruise to St. George, UT with the Las Vegas T-Bird Club with the top down. When I returned home and raised the top, it would not complete the closure process. The right J-hook would not tighten down on the windshield header as usual. I grabbed the J-hook and found it had come unscrewed from the top several turns. As it turns out there is a small Allen screw on the top header oat the J-hook that holds the hook in the top header.
---- CHECK AND MAKE SURE THE ALLEN SCREW IS TIGHT ON THE J-HOOK ---

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[Spike Kavalench]

I took our 02 Bird on a cruise to St. George, UT with the Las Vegas T-Bird Club with the top down. When I returned home and raised the top, it would not complete the closure process. The right J-hook would not tighten down on the windshield header as usual. I grabbed the J-hook and found it had come unscrewed from the top several turns. As it turns out there is a small Allen screw on the top header oat the J-hook that holds the hook in the top header.
---- CHECK AND MAKE SURE THE ALLEN SCREW IS TIGHT ON THE J-HOOK ---

Excellent tip, thanks!

 

[kokomot]

where can I get a replacement j hook and the pivot arm it screws into?

 

[jamel95]

where can I get a replacement j hook and the pivot arm it screws into?

https://forums.fordthunderbirdforum...rd-convertible-top-pivot-arm.5203/#post-32318

Follow this link for a well described investigation into the pivot arm.