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T-Top Disassembly

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Old Apr 1, 2006 | 01:33 PM
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Default T-Top Disassembly

Whenever I remove the T-Top panels on my 71, I hear all sorts of crap rattling around inside them. I tried gently pulling on the velcro that holds the headliner to the top and it did not seem to want to come apart. Is this the only thing holding the parts together? How much of a pain is it to disassemble and reassemble the top panels?
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Old Apr 1, 2006 | 03:57 PM
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I know 68's have if I remember correctly 3 screws, that hold the
headliner in place along with the plastic snaps. they are located
under the weatherstrip lip.
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Old Apr 1, 2006 | 05:18 PM
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my current expeience makes me think i knw what the rattle is! When you replace the weatherstripping a number of the plastic retainers break off when you try to get them out. nothing i could do about it. they fall inside the t-top and there's no way to get them out without drilling a big hole somewhere. i expect mine will sound like yourswhen i get the car done. Oh, there are about 20 of those little clips holding the weatherstrip on each tt
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Old Apr 1, 2006 | 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Rich_71Vette
Whenever I remove the T-Top panels on my 71, I hear all sorts of crap rattling around inside them. I tried gently pulling on the velcro that holds the headliner to the top and it did not seem to want to come apart. Is this the only thing holding the parts together? How much of a pain is it to disassemble and reassemble the top panels?
There are also captive nuts inside the tops that rot out, then the debris rattles around inside the tops...sounds like a buch of loose screws flying around inside. I went through 3 sets of t-tops before I found 2 good ones to use on my 73.

There is no way to disassemble the tops to get that crap out...your options are:

1. Cut open a hole in the channel area where the debris is flying around, suck it out with a shop vac, and repair...

2. Replace the tops

OR

3. Live with it

Since I was in the middle of a resto anyhow, I opted for #2

Last edited by Red86Z51; Apr 1, 2006 at 05:53 PM.
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Old Apr 1, 2006 | 08:35 PM
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Originally Posted by 73L48 Dave

3. Live with it
It sounds like I will live with it. With the side exhaust, I can't hear it when I am driving anyway!
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Old Apr 1, 2006 | 10:03 PM
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The easiest thing to do is drill a hole in one corner and try to work all the clips to that corner. Then squirt a good amount of adhesive such as silicone into the hole.
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