change wheel FORD THUNDERBIRD 2004 11.G Quick Reference Guide

This Quick Reference Guide is not intended to replace your vehicle Owner’s Guide which
contains more detailed information concerning the features of your vehicle as well as
important safety warnings designed to help reduce the risk of injury to you and your
occupants. Please read your entire Owner’s Guide carefully as you begin learning about your
new Thunderbird and refer to the appropriate sections when questions arise.
All information contained in this Quick Reference Guide was accurate at the time of duplication.
We reserve the right to change features, operation and/or functionality of any vehicle
specification at any time.
Your Ford dealer is the best source for the most current information.
4W6J-19G217-AB
*F4W6J19G217AB*
June 2003
First Printing
Quick Reference GuideFord Thunderbird
Litho in U.S.A.
Maintaining Your Removable Top
Proper maintenance of your removable top will help you enjoy your ownership
experience more fully in the miles to come. Since the tape provided is not
designed to exceed 3 months or 4,000 miles (with the top on the vehicle), it’s
important to apply new tape every time you put the top on your car.
Installing & Removing Your Removable-Top
Thunderbird’s removable top requires special attention in terms of removal, installation and maintenance. In fact, it should be removed every 3 months or 3000 miles for rear
seal and rear deck cleaning. Before installing or removing your top, please make sure your vehicle is parked on a level surface and be sure you have someone standing by to help
you. (The top weighs approximately 84 lbs.)
Installing, Removing & Storing The Boot (if equipped)
When the convertible top is in the stored (down) position, you have the option
of covering it with the convertible top boot. When not in use, the boot can be
conveniently stored in your trunk.
Tape Removal
To remove the old tape, simply pull it off. If you notice adhesive residue on your vehicle, clean the
surface with isopropyl alcohol or a very light non-abrasive soap.
Applying New Tape
Don’t worry about positioning the tape perfectly on your first attempt; the tape won’t bond completely
until it has been in place for more than 24 hours. Only use the tape that has been approved by Ford for
use on painted surfaces. Before applying new tape, make sure the surface of your vehicle is clean and dry.
The temperature of the body surface should not be lower than 65 degrees or higher than 90 degrees.
✦ Retract the convertible top to the
open position.
✦ Wipe the surface with alcohol, using the lint-free
cloth that came with your vehicle.
✦ Select the piece that was cut for the driver-side
front (DSF) area of your vehicle and remove the
backing paper.
✦ Starting at the rear of the door opening, apply
the tape to the quarter panel. At the rear corner
curve, fold the flap downward so it wraps around
the edge of the sheet metal. Slowly use
pressure while applying the tape, pressing to
smooth out wrinkles and air bubbles.
✦ Repeat the above steps for the passenger front
trim piece, the driver-side rear (DSR) and
passenger-side rear (PSR) pieces.
Installation
01While the convertible top is in the raised position, make sure it is completely
clean and dry. Lower the convertible top. Open the doors, lower the windows and
clean the area where the removable top is mounted to the body with a clean,
damp cloth.
02Make sure the wheels on your storage rack are locked; remove the
protective cover.
03Confirm that the top’s rear locking levers are rotated to the fully
open position.
04Ask someone to assist you in carrying the top to the vehicle; lower the rear
of the top so that the pins are placed into the bracket receivers. (The receivers
should be lubricated once a year. Apply a small amount of silicon lubricant to the
receivers. Spray the lubricant directly into the holes to avoid damaging trim parts.)
05Rotate the rear locking levers approximately one-half turn toward the front
of the vehicle. (The levers are on the rear left and right hand sides of the vehicle.)
06Position the front of the top so that the locating tabs on each side are
placed in the mounting castings.
07Use the mounting key to loosely install the two mounting screws and the
left and right sides of the windscreen; give them two or three turns. You’ll note
that the screws in the windscreen panel of the vehicle are already set in place.
08Pull the rear locking levers fully forward and slightly downward to lock the
rear of the roof in place. The rear levers are locked when you feel the spring
engage; each lever will point toward the front of the vehicle.
09Use the mounting key to fully tighten the front mounting screws. After
driving approximately 30 to 40 miles, check the front mounting screws to confirm
they’re secure.
Removal
01Prepare the storage rack to accept the removable top. Place the bumper
end of the uprights on the floor, with the wheels facing you.
02Firmly squeeze the two chrome locking buttons (top and bottom) of one leg
and rotate the leg upward until it locks in place. Repeat this step for the other leg.
03Turn the rack over on its wheels and place it on a flat surface. Make sure the
center “T” section is fully locked by attempting to move it downward without
releasing the chrome locking buttons.
04Push down on the two plastic levers on the front wheels to lock the wheels
in place.
05Remove the mounting key (located in the trunk).
06Using the mounting key, fully loosen the two screws at the front of the top
(one on each side of the windscreen). The screws in the casting areas are set in
place.
07Undo the locking levers at the rear right and left sides of the vehicle. Rotate
each lever rearward while applying slight upward force to the top.
08Remove the top and place it on the storage rack, with the rear of the top
resting on the rubber bumpers of the lower legs.
09Use the cover that has been provided to keep the top clean when not in use.
step 3
step 4
step 6
step 8
step 2
step 4
step 6
step 7
step 8
Storage
01Position the
boot with the exterior
surface facing up.
02Fold the outboard
sixth of the boot inward,
exterior surface to
exterior surface. Repeat
for the other side.
03Flip the boot; fold
the doubled-up ends
toward the center of the
boot. Repeat for the
other side.
04Fold the boot in
half and secure it with
the Velcro strap.
05Place the folded
boot in the storage area
in the front of the trunk.
To prevent the boot
from getting dirty it
may be stored in the
plastic bag.
Installation
01Unfasten the Velcro strap on the boot.
Unfold the boot and place the boot across the
trim panel.
02Starting on the driver side, tuck the boot
under the sheet metal, along the side.
03Fasten the three snaps on the boot to the
trim panel snaps.
04Walk around to the passenger side and tuck
the boot under the sheet metal, along the side, be
sure to tuck the Velcro strap under the boot.
05Fasten the three snaps (on the passenger
side of the boot) to the trim panel snaps.
06Tuck the boot under the panel all of the
way across the back.
Removal
01Unfasten all three driver side snaps and all
three passenger side snaps.
02Untuck both sides and the rear of the boot
by sliding it forward.
03Fold and fasten the Velcro strap.
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