HELP! Mopar soft top won't close properly - looking for advice

[dalecooper]

Hi, I have the mopar twill soft top for my 2021 gladiator and while it opens fine, it won't close without manually pushing the "lift support strut" (68398990AA) in. It's difficult to do since it needs to be done on both sides and I'm wondering if anyone has found a fix for this other than replacing the part.

I tried to attach a couple videos - one of it opening correctly and the second what happens when I try to close it.

The pictures here show the strut elbow
1. at a 90 degree angle (when closing, it should move this way).
2. in a straight line while closing it
3. where it ends up when trying to close it - it moves down and in instead of out and up, which makes it impossible to close the top (the top will sit straight up at a 90 degree angle from the roof)

Anyone ever come across this and know how to fix it?

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[WanderingJ]

Ever figure this out? Fix it? I was messing with mine yesterday since we are finally getting some fantastic topless weather, and remembered this post and took a quick pic of mine half open. If I remember, I'll see if mine opens and closes the same as your videos. Theres no issue closing. I never have to touch anything except the front bar