Convertible Adjustment
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
New England Events Coordinator
Convertible Adjustment
My convertible top will not sit properly. The rear edge is very tight and the pegs will not sit into the lock downs on the rear deck. The pegs are adjusted as far as they can be. Is there another point on the assembly that will bring the rear edge down closer to the deck?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 7
From: Ohio
If you are locking the rear both sides as you should then locking the front and it pops up in the rear the top has shrunk. You can try to wet and strech it in the sun but I doubt if it will work. You could take the tacks out of the front and reattach if you have extra material but a new top may be the only fix. Check the rods under the deck that they are all the way returned as this can cause them to pop out and could be the fix you need.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 3
From: Canberra AUSTRALIA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
You can adjust the height and forward/aft loaction of the top by loosening the bolts that hold the top frame to the car. They are located just behind the plastic trim at the rear of the doors. It is very finicky. A small movement in the frame adjustment will change the position significantly. As said shrinkage can effect the top also.
New vinyl tops are cheap, it is the labour or time that costs you to install one.
New vinyl tops are cheap, it is the labour or time that costs you to install one.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Freakin' Parrot Heads ... getting too cold to drive with the top down ??
J/K Rich ... While I know 'squat' about vert tops, I DO know that
Dennis just replaced his last year. He had some issues doing it
himself, but he might have some insight here. Maybe he will chime in.
One thing I recall is that one of the pins would fall out
... perhaps because it was adjusted out all then way ... dunno,
as I just drove the vette for a day.
J/K Rich ... While I know 'squat' about vert tops, I DO know that
Dennis just replaced his last year. He had some issues doing it
himself, but he might have some insight here. Maybe he will chime in.
One thing I recall is that one of the pins would fall out
... perhaps because it was adjusted out all then way ... dunno,
as I just drove the vette for a day.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Originally Posted by phclub
My convertible top will not sit properly. The rear edge is very tight and the pegs will not sit into the lock downs on the rear deck. The pegs are adjusted as far as they can be. Is there another point on the assembly that will bring the rear edge down closer to the deck?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
New England Events Coordinator
The top is aged and as they said on Sienfeld "shrinkage is an issue". I usually lock the front first, it sounds as though I should start at the rear deck. I know the main bolts at the body may help to bring the top down a bit and this may also mean a re-alignment of the side windows (yuck). I will try to main bolts at the body and see if this helps.
One local source (interior guy) mentioned, the distance from the last bow (the one with the cover strip) measured to the top edge of the rear window is much to short, that is why it will not seat correctly (improper installation). Anyone willing to supply this measure, from the last bow (at the center of the roof) to the top edge of the rear window? SHould be only like a inch or so.
One local source (interior guy) mentioned, the distance from the last bow (the one with the cover strip) measured to the top edge of the rear window is much to short, that is why it will not seat correctly (improper installation). Anyone willing to supply this measure, from the last bow (at the center of the roof) to the top edge of the rear window? SHould be only like a inch or so.
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Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Manchvegas NH
Rich,
Dave is correct, I replaced my top, but it was many moons ago. Initially, it came out pretty good, fit wise. I traced around the mounting brackets with white paint so that I would know where to re-install it. Over the years, I have had to re-adjust it by loosening the mounting bolts, closing the top as usual, then tighten the bolts and test it. This never takes any more than an hour. I also had a rear pin that would fall out from vibration - I fixed that with teflon tape.
I wonder if that measurment you want is the same for every top manufacturer? I can get the measurement for you tomorrow.
- Dennis
Dave is correct, I replaced my top, but it was many moons ago. Initially, it came out pretty good, fit wise. I traced around the mounting brackets with white paint so that I would know where to re-install it. Over the years, I have had to re-adjust it by loosening the mounting bolts, closing the top as usual, then tighten the bolts and test it. This never takes any more than an hour. I also had a rear pin that would fall out from vibration - I fixed that with teflon tape.
I wonder if that measurment you want is the same for every top manufacturer? I can get the measurement for you tomorrow.
- Dennis
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
The key to a properly fitting top is to make all the adjustments to the frame before recovering.
If the material was installed prior to adjusting the frame this will be an on going battle.
Good Luck.
Bill
If the material was installed prior to adjusting the frame this will be an on going battle.
Good Luck.
Bill