'05 MCS - the linkage that opens the claw holding the top to the left edge of the windscreen broke. When I try to open the the top, the right claw opens, but the left claw remains engaged to the windscreen. Local dealer wants a lot to fix it, and suggests that even if it is fixed, the top may not operate if the chassis has been torqued by attempting to open the top too many times (which I don't think I did). I'm wondering if there is any way to manually disengage that claw so the top is detached from the windscreen. Then I could (1) test the top to see if it still goes up and down (eliminating concern about the chassis), and (2) open the top, at least allowing me to use the car during good weather.
Any ideas?

 

Figured it out — was quite easy.
Since the Convertible Top Front Linkage was broken, all it took was a nudge with a screw driver and the top came free from the pillar. Fortunately nothing else seems broken, and it fully retracted. I’ve removed the broken part, and have a replacement on order.
Found a world of information here related to my issue, but the best post seemed to be “Locking hooks broken, convertible top” by DocRock (6-3-2012).
A helpful reply to DocRock included this video:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ble-top-2.html

Dave