swtato

I have an m1131 top that was cracked. Picked up a m1131 matching set from a guy that would "throw them in with the car" that he was selling. I bought them/stole them off him for $400. It has new rubber all the way around.

My question is how much pressure should I have to use to latch the top? My old ones were very easy, but the rubber was somewhat compresed. I know I can adjust the shims and the appear to be about the same as my existing tops. I really have to use alot of pressure to snap the latch shut. I don't want to break this set! Please give me some advice.

jimvette999

IMO, I would back the adjusters off and compress over time. How much force is hard to answer. The new weatherstriping will compress. I'd be afraid of clamping them too fast/much until they settle in. Park it in the sun, tighten a little at a time. Hopefully someone else will have some tips for you.

AD2VET

After I replaced the weatherstripping on my tops, it was noticeably harder to latch them but it did ease off over time.

Easy Mike

Back them off a little. They should be snug to close, but should not need too very much effort. As the new weatherstripping compresses, the tops should need to be snugged up a little, but again, not a whole heckuva lot.

If memory serves, there may be instructions in the AIM for maximum pressure on the latch paddles.

swtato

How do you get the tops aligned so that the gap in between the 2 tops is even? I got the pressure issue resolved but the gap is wider at the front and narrower at the rear?

ESU

When I put in new ws on my tops I bought some additional shims as I couldnt even close the tops. Over time I gradually removed shims and tightened things down till that rubber fully compressed,
ESU

swtato

my problem now is the gap down the center is uneven it is level but too wide in the front and to narrow by the rear glass? Any suggestions?

ESU

Loosen up everything u can on the tops themselves. Position the tops how you want them and then start tightening.
ESU

swtato

So the shims and the part that sldes in the 2 slots will adjust the gap? Am I able to loosen the pin be latch handle and adjust that? I could not tell by the pics in the service manual?

Thanks for the help!

Easy Mike

Glass tops sit higher than the halo panel in the rear. Do not try to pull them down even with the panel. Center gap is good at 1/2", but might be difficult to obtain. AIM shows factory preferences, but not a whole lot about how to set the tops.