NTB14-076

7. Make a support for the soft top as shown in Figure A14, or equivalent.


A support for the center rail is required before disconnecting the upper link.



The support shown uses an 8 foot 2x4 supported by two pole stands (one on each
side of the vehicle.



Place clean soft cloths between the soft top and the 2x4.

Figure A14
8. By hand, carefully move the rear window (5th bow) to the position shown in Figure A15.


Allow the front of the soft top to rest on the top edge of the windshield.

Front resting
on top edge
of windshield

Move 5th
bow to this
position

Figure A15

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NTB14-076

NOTE: In the next few steps you will remove upper link pins. The location of each pin is
identified by the corresponding photo. It may also be helpful to refer to Figure B1 on
page 33.

9. Remove the pin shown in Figure A16
as follows:

Pin

Figure A16

a. Locate the inboard side of the pin.

Two tiestraps

White
washer

b. Remove the locking clip.

c. Cut off the two tie wraps.
NOTE: Only the left side link has
tie-straps.

Locking
clip

d. Remove the pin.

White
washer
Figure A17

NOTE: During removal, you may
find that this pin has washers as
shown in Figure A17, or washers as
shown in Figure A18 on the next
page.

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NTB14-076

NOTE: For Reassembly:


Make sure to install the metal dished washers as shown in Figure A18.



Install the dished washers with the “back side” of the dish (convex side) facing away
from the link.



For the left side link only; reinstall two new ¼ inch wide tie-straps (shop supply). Cut off
excess tie wrap.

Metal dished
washer with ribs

Two tiestraps

White
washer

Locking
clip

Metal dished
washer with ribs
Figure A18

Metal dished washers with ribs supplied with new upper link

Figure A19

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10. Remove the pin shown in Figure A20
as follows:
Pin

Figure A20

Harness
support

a. Locate the inboard side of the pin.

b. Remove the E-clip.
White
washer

c. Remove the pin.

For reassembly: For the left side link only,
this pin passes through a harness support.
Make sure the pin passes through the
support when reinstalled.

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E-clip
Figure A21

NTB14-076

11. Remove the screw shown in Figure
A22.

Screw



This screw is installed on the left
side link only.



This screw supports the harness
guide.

NOTE: For reassembly, a new screw is
included in the kit for the left side link.

Figure A22

12. Remove the pin shown in Figure A23
as follows:

Pin
Figure A23

a. Locate the inboard side of the pin.
Push-on
nut

b. Remove the push-on nut.

c. Remove the pin.

Figure A24

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13. Remove the pin shown in Figure A25
as follows:


This pin connects the hydraulic
piston to the upper link.
Pin
Figure A25

a. Locate the inboard side of the pin.

b. Remove the E-clip.

c. Remove the pin.
E-clip
Figure A26

Harness
14. Take loose the two harness clips
shown in Figure A27.


Clip

Taking these clips loose will
allow you to move the harness,
giving access to the push-on nut
in the next pin removal.

Clip
Figure A27

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15. Remove the pin shown in Figure A28
as follows:

a. Locate the outboard side of the pin.

b. Remove the push-on nut.

Push-on nut

Figure A28

Link
Pin

c. Push the pin out as far as possible.

NOTE: This may not push out far
enough to be completely removed
because it hits a black plastic rib.
With the pin pushed out as far as
possible as shown, the link can be
removed from the slot.

Slot
Figure A29

16. Carefully remove the upper link from
the soft top.

Upper link

Figure A30
17. Reinstall the new upper link in reverse
order.

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NTB14-076

The exploded views on the next 4 pages are provided for reference, if needed, while
performing this repair.
Upper Linkage Assembly (Upper Link – left side shown)
Step 3

Steps indicated are
for the upper link
assembly, except
step 20.

Step 4

Step 10

Step 11
(screw)
Step 12

Step 9
Step 5
Step 20 of
lower link

Step 13
Step 15

Step 6

Figure B1
Step 3

Step 6

Step 4

Step 5

Step 9

Step 10

Step 12

Step 13

Step 15

Step 20 of lower link replacement

NOTE: Above pin lengths include the pin head.

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Lower Linkage Assembly (Lower Link – left side shown)
Steps indicated are
for the lower link
assembly.

Step 21

Step 20

Step 3 and 19
Step 23
Step 25

Step 27

Step 24

Figure B2
Step 3 and 19

Step 20

Step 21 (may require reinstallation of washer
not included with new link)

Step 23

Step 24

Step 25

NOTE: Above pin lengths include the pin head.

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Figure B3

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Figure B4

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Figure B5

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NTB14-076

PARTS INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION

PART NUMBER

QTY

Linkage Kit - BAL
(Right side / Passenger side lower ink.
Comes with pins clips and washers.)

971H0 – 1GR0B

1

Linkage Kit - BAL
(Left side / Driver side lower link.
Comes with pins clips and washers.)

971H6 – 1GR0B

1

Linkage Kit – FOL
(Right side / Passenger side upper link.
Comes with pins clips and washers.)

970N1 – 1GR0B

1

Linkage Kit – FOL
(Left side / Driver side upper link.
Comes with pins clips and washers.)

970N4 – 1GR0B

1

Woven Felt Tape – part of squeak and
rattle kit J-50397
(Felt Cloth Tape)

J-50397-5
A new package has
8 feet, 96 inches.
Available from
Tech-Mate,
1-800-662-2001
(shop supply)

Tie - strap ¼ inch wide

Use generic tie-straps
(shop supply)

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2 inches for
lower link
6 inches for
upper link

2 for upper
link

NTB14-076

CLAIMS INFORMATION
Submit a Primary Part (PP) type line claim using the following claims coding:
DESCRIPTION
PFP
OP CODE SYM DIA FRT
Replace Lower Links (Both Sides)
(1)
BX4HAA
ZE
32
4.9
(1) Refer to the Parts Information and use the appropriate Linkage Kit–BAL part number as
the PFP.

DESCRIPTION
PFP
OP CODE SYM DIA FRT
Replace Upper and Lower links Both Sides
(1)
BX4JAA
ZE
32
7.5
(2) Refer to the Parts Information and use the appropriate Linkage Kit–FOL part number as
the PFP.

EXPENSE CODE:
EXPENSE CODE
041

DESCRIPTION
Supplies (Tape and Tie Wraps)

39/39

MAXIMUM AMOUNT
$6.32

NTB14-076