Plastic ball joint keeps breaking

[Sebastian Hellvik Holst]

I have a 97 Base, and I bought it knowing the convertible top was not working. (It was converted to manual operation due to some shop having screwed up the synchronization of the to side transmissions). I tried my hand at fixing it, and I did succeed. The top and the clamshell work together and the transmissions are synced up. 

 

My problem is however that when I hold the button for the lowering of the top long enough, after the top has settled under the clamshell, the plastic ball joint on the left hand (driver side) breaks. Am I not supposed to hold the button for that long? The reason I am wondering is that the light in the dashboard does not go out, so I have no reference as to when I should let go of the button.

 

The convertible top goes up and down flawlessly and seats into the "up" position fine, except for some small knocks where the top goes back and forward two or three times before the light goes out.

Any help appreciated

[JFP in PA]

You are probably over stressing the system bu holding down the button too long.  The dash light is triggered by a micro switch which is either defective of not adjusted properly to turn off sooner.