Sponsored

Broken soft top lift arm assembly

Driggs

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2018
Threads
15
Messages
148
Reaction score
72
Location
New England
Vehicle(s)
Many
Does anyone know how to remove the broken arm from the folding mechanism on the JL soft top? This is the drivers side on a 4 door. For whatever reason to replace the drivers side on a 4 door is $450. While it’s around $120 for the passenger and $120 for either side on a 2 door.

DBF394E1-1E36-4A4A-AAE0-430060B0070D.jpeg
Sponsored

 

Jaym

Well-Known Member
First Name
James
Joined
Nov 25, 2018
Threads
20
Messages
155
Reaction score
212
Location
Salt Lake City
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLU Rubicon
I also need one of these. Did you find anywhere to get them less expensive ?
 
OP
OP
Driggs

Driggs

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2018
Threads
15
Messages
148
Reaction score
72
Location
New England
Vehicle(s)
Many
I also need one of these. Did you find anywhere to get them less expensive ?
Quadratec.com was the cheapest I’ve seen. Dealers were the worst. I paid $550 for the original broken replacement, only to break itself in a different way. I ended up taking the broken metal off that one and replacing it with a good arm on a broken folding mechanism from another. Yeah, I had two break on me in different places.
 

Srl94mp

New Member
First Name
Shawn
Joined
Apr 20, 2019
Threads
0
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Location
Rhode island
Vehicle(s)
2018 jeep wrangler unlimited
Quadratec.com was the cheapest I’ve seen. Dealers were the worst. I paid $550 for the original broken replacement, only to break itself in a different way. I ended up taking the broken metal off that one and replacing it with a good arm on a broken folding mechanism from another. Yeah, I had two break on me in different places.
How does the folding arm come off the hinge, I have the bolt off. Is it supposed to slide off??
 
OP
OP
Driggs

Driggs

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2018
Threads
15
Messages
148
Reaction score
72
Location
New England
Vehicle(s)
Many
How does the folding arm come off the hinge, I have the bolt off. Is it supposed to slide off??
It sort of slides off but it’s pressed on their tight. With the bolt off, I took the claw end of a hammer and placed it between the folding arm and the mechanism as close to where they meet as you can. Then with another hammer hit the two heads of the hammer. It came loose with one tap. Don’t know if this is the safest way to do it but it’s the only way I could figure out. Bestop and Chrysler wouldn’t help me when I reached out.
 

Sponsored

hjr2122

Active Member
First Name
Hector
Joined
Apr 26, 2018
Threads
0
Messages
41
Reaction score
11
Location
Dallas, Tx
Vehicle(s)
2018 Jeep Wrangler JL
Vehicle Showcase
1
It sort of slides off but it’s pressed on their tight. With the bolt off, I took the claw end of a hammer and placed it between the folding arm and the mechanism as close to where they meet as you can. Then with another hammer hit the two heads of the hammer. It came loose with one tap. Don’t know if this is the safest way to do it but it’s the only way I could figure out. Bestop and Chrysler wouldn’t help me when I reached out.
Did anyone have better luck? Still trying to remove the arm from the mechanism.

20200706_171411.jpg
 

elieah

Active Member
First Name
Elie
Joined
Dec 3, 2019
Threads
3
Messages
30
Reaction score
4
Location
Qatar
Vehicle(s)
2018 Wrangler JLU
I have the same issue here.... need to remove the arm to replace it.... but very hard to pull out... and it's even seized (doesnt move at all, not even in unlocked position). Any help?
 

jlepscier

New Member
First Name
Justin
Joined
May 11, 2020
Threads
0
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Location
Wisconsin
Vehicle(s)
2018 Wrangler Sahara
I just bent this going into the garage with my soft top in sunrider. First time since putting on the 2" lift :facepalm:. I ordered a replacement folding mechanism from just jeeps. Curious if anyone has any info or tips on replacing it? Is it easier just to replace the arm instead of the full folding mechanism? I've searched the forums and youtube but can't seem to find any info on replacement! Thanks!
 
OP
OP
Driggs

Driggs

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2018
Threads
15
Messages
148
Reaction score
72
Location
New England
Vehicle(s)
Many
I just bent this going into the garage with my soft top in sunrider. First time since putting on the 2" lift :facepalm:. I ordered a replacement folding mechanism from just jeeps. Curious if anyone has any info or tips on replacing it? Is it easier just to replace the arm instead of the full folding mechanism? I've searched the forums and youtube but can't seem to find any info on replacement! Thanks!
The full folding mechanism plus arm will be easier to replace than just the arm, but cost a lot more. I’ve done it both ways. The arm does come off and will go back on, just annoying.
 

jlepscier

New Member
First Name
Justin
Joined
May 11, 2020
Threads
0
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Location
Wisconsin
Vehicle(s)
2018 Wrangler Sahara
The full folding mechanism plus arm will be easier to replace than just the arm, but cost a lot more. I’ve done it both ways. The arm does come off and will go back on, just annoying.
I ordered the whole folding mechanism, it was the passenger side, which seems to be the cheaper one, for $125. I haven't taken it apart yet, the only question I have is how the arm and cable connects to the soft top to pull it back. Looks like the arm is just one bolt and slips in. Is the cable easy to move from the old to the new mechanism?
 

Sponsored

OP
OP
Driggs

Driggs

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2018
Threads
15
Messages
148
Reaction score
72
Location
New England
Vehicle(s)
Many
I ordered the whole folding mechanism, it was the passenger side, which seems to be the cheaper one, for $125. I haven't taken it apart yet, the only question I have is how the arm and cable connects to the soft top to pull it back. Looks like the arm is just one bolt and slips in. Is the cable easy to move from the old to the new mechanism?
I’ve only done the drivers side but I’m assuming it’s the same. From what I remember (been awhile), the cable has a piece that slides into the mechanism, it’s meant to be removable. Hardest part was just removing a plastic clip that pushes into the mechanism to hold the cable in place. I believe the arm connects to the top with just a couple screws and a spot to slide some fabric through.
 

KNN

Well-Known Member
First Name
K
Joined
Jun 5, 2020
Threads
3
Messages
259
Reaction score
243
Location
Maryland
Vehicle(s)
2020 JLU Sport Diesel
Been there. Done that. 🤦🏽‍♂️ Used one of those three arm gear puller tools to separate the old arm from the mechanism. GL!!
Jeep Wrangler JL Broken soft top lift arm assembly D4CC74A6-F6CA-429C-BB17-8DCF195246BB
Jeep Wrangler JL Broken soft top lift arm assembly 033DE6F6-F4B2-4821-9CB2-E9FA765FCB62
 

BigToeGhost

New Member
First Name
Len
Joined
Feb 14, 2023
Threads
0
Messages
1
Reaction score
1
Location
Omaha
Vehicle(s)
22 JL Tuscadero Peral
I just went through this last night. I had bought on Amazon "Amerbm Two Jaw Bearing Puller Remover 30mm - 90mm Adjustable Puller Tool for Special Design for Narrow Spaces Removal Small Bearing"

This tool will pop off the arm. I did put a small C-clamp on the legs of the tool to keep them from spreading when applying pressure.

Link to tool: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XYNH2W2?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
 

hjr2122

Active Member
First Name
Hector
Joined
Apr 26, 2018
Threads
0
Messages
41
Reaction score
11
Location
Dallas, Tx
Vehicle(s)
2018 Jeep Wrangler JL
Vehicle Showcase
1

bobholthaus

Well-Known Member
First Name
Bob
Joined
Apr 4, 2020
Threads
20
Messages
512
Reaction score
444
Location
St. Louis, MO
Vehicle(s)
2023 JKURD AEV JL370; 2014 GC Overland Diesel
Build Thread
Link
Occupation
Technology Integrator
Thanks guys. Attempting this now.
Sponsored

 
 



Top