Another way is to do it with the top down. With the front latch released
and the top propped open only a foot or so up, SECURELY wrap the 2 arms
together near the ends where they attach. Then you can unbolt the ends
raise the top a few more inches, and get the mechanism out of the van.
Of course the wrapped arms are under substantial spring tension so care
must be taken when unwrapping them.

After repairs are made, force the arms back folded and wrap them again
the same as before. Then put them back into place.

Mark

Edward Maglott wrote:
> If you put your stick in the center of the front so it braces against the
> mechanism that latches the poptop in the down position the weight will be
> nicely distributed.  The fiberglass top is really sturdy anyway but that
> latch mechanism is designed to distribute the force that holds the top
> closed to the fiberglass.  Good luck!
> Edward
>
> On Fri, Aug 14, 2015 at 6:42 PM, PB <pbrattan@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>   Edward, I forgot about those hinges at the back!  That, along with the 2 x
>> 4 would form a fairly stable triangle, but wouldn't the 2 by 4 stress that
>> one point of the poptop?
>> Patti
>>
>>