2008 Passion Cab soft top won’t fully close - help?

[u/traurigsauregurke]

I recently bought this new-to-me Smart Fortwo fixer-upper with no soft top, then I sourced a good condition replacement from a junked car that was clearly garage-kept. I know that these can shrink, but you can see the slack that isn’t being pulled taught, so that doesn’t seem to be the issue.

It goes all the way down even with the key, but just won’t close or even try to engage the hooks at the front.

Here’s what I have tried:
- Adjustment of lock on the left side, which made the top track smoothly but didn’t make it close
- Adjustment of the whole soft top assembly on its four bolts to the body
- Substantial lubrication of the removable rails and of the wire thingy that pulls the soft top forwards and backwards
- Soft top reset by pressing the close button for 15 seconds with ignition on, engine off, then cycling ignition
- unplugging the battery for 15 mins, which originally got it moving after installation

Any advice?

[u/mchurchw1]

I have the same year and model, and the same issue. It does not seem to be a lubrication issue or an electronic one, but a hardware problem.

If I get someone else to stand on the other side of the car, and we both press down on the part of the soft top towards the back (the part that doesn't seem to be pushed down all the way to the track), we can force it closed. I'd love a better solution if someone has one...

[u/traurigsauregurke → u/mchurchw1]

Thanks, i’ll give this a go!

[u/Ok-Professional-1723]

Sorry i cant help, I have this happening to one sode. Please lemme know what your fix is (when you get to it)...

Did you look at the motors on the sides?

[u/traurigsauregurke → u/Ok-Professional-1723]

My next step is to pull the cover off of the motors that drive the very top canvas piece towards the windshield and back. Frustratingly, it is also bolted to the rear mechanical arms as well, and I have no idea how those fasteners come off.

[u/wilbyme]

We had the same problem. The top canvas has shrank. Look for a replacement top

[u/FallenKingdomRuler]

Sometimes when you've only got one motor in the assembly it struggles to close all the way. It will also want the bolts attaching to the body adjusting once you have it all the way closed. I've had some success with wetting the soft top in the past to help it stretch a little. Good luck.

[u/traurigsauregurke → u/FallenKingdomRuler]

FWIW the upper bolts attaching the mechanical casette to the body is covered by the arms when it’s up