Astro tops
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 2
From: Arkansas
Actually it's in a non-climate controlled shop, the only thing it doesn't see is rain....unless you think rain might have been the caused your crack. It get's equally hot in my shop as it does outside....sometimes more. 
Personally owning one of those tops I do know that you can overtighten those threaded sections if your not careful, there is a slight possibilty that flexing of your car is the culprit.
No different than the guys that end up with a shattered glass t-top when they put thier car on a lift with it tightened down............how many has that happened to?? Think about it.
Personally owning one of those tops I do know that you can overtighten those threaded sections if your not careful, there is a slight possibilty that flexing of your car is the culprit.
No different than the guys that end up with a shattered glass t-top when they put thier car on a lift with it tightened down............how many has that happened to?? Think about it.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore MD
Actually it's in a non-climate controlled shop, the only thing it doesn't see is rain....unless you think rain might have been the caused your crack. It get's equally hot in my shop as it does outside....sometimes more.
Personally owning one of those tops I do know that you can overtighten those threaded sections if your not careful, there is a slight possibilty that flexing of your car is the culprit.
No different than the guys that end up with a shattered glass t-top when they put thier car on a lift with it tightened down............how many has that happened to?? Think about it.
Personally owning one of those tops I do know that you can overtighten those threaded sections if your not careful, there is a slight possibilty that flexing of your car is the culprit.
No different than the guys that end up with a shattered glass t-top when they put thier car on a lift with it tightened down............how many has that happened to?? Think about it.
If I were most of you - check a place called Melrose.
I've heard good things about them.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
From: Around Memphis,tn
Let's just put it this way ..... If you do a search on Astro Tops on here for all the threads in the C4 forum and possibly some in the C5 who have gone after replacement tops ..... It's a wonder Astro-Tops stays in business. Their reputation is not steller by no means. They do not stand behind their product as far as a warranty goes and that would **** anybody off who spends big bucks on a replacement top - It should not crack or break or the weather stripping fall apart in a year's time.
If I were most of you - check a place called Melrose. I've heard good things about them.
If I were most of you - check a place called Melrose.
I've heard good things about them.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
From: Around Memphis,tn
Actually it's in a non-climate controlled shop, the only thing it doesn't see is rain....unless you think rain might have been the caused your crack. It get's equally hot in my shop as it does outside....sometimes more.
Personally owning one of those tops I do know that you can overtighten those threaded sections if your not careful, there is a slight possibilty that flexing of your car is the culprit.
No different than the guys that end up with a shattered glass t-top when they put thier car on a lift with it tightened down............how many has that happened to?? Think about it.
Personally owning one of those tops I do know that you can overtighten those threaded sections if your not careful, there is a slight possibilty that flexing of your car is the culprit.
No different than the guys that end up with a shattered glass t-top when they put thier car on a lift with it tightened down............how many has that happened to?? Think about it.
I believe I am intelligent enough to know that rain is NOT the cause of a top cracking , so save the stupidity remarks .
My vette sits outside and even with a wolf cover over it . The car hasnt even been driven but a few short trips to the store other than the break-in of the new engine . The car is being built and has been for the last 4 years . I am NOT able to overtighten the screw down mounts because I do not have the strength in my arms or hands to do so . I am an upside down Quadriplegic due to a broken neck and I have no upper body strength .
My point clearly stated is that NO top should crack like mine has or even the weatherstrip come loose because of the glue deteriating in barely over a year when the car has just sat there .
Thier tops are Garbage ... plain and simple !
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 830
Likes: 1
seriously though....whenever I see these Astro-Top threads, it always gets my attention. It really is a cool concept.
I really would like one, but...Everytime this comes up...the same ol BS posts start showing up. Some folks have them for decades & love them while some folks instantly complain of scratches & cracks...
Maybe I'll just sit here on the fence for a few more years, saving "stupidity remarks."
Thanks for the thread BTW
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 2
From: Arkansas
Other than..."Thier tops are garbages"....there has to be a LOGICAL reason so explain that to me
Last edited by 1982CorvetteDude; Aug 16, 2007 at 05:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
From: Around Memphis,tn
I guess I'm supposed to loosen the front mounts while it sits there to allow for expanditure so then when I decide to drive it and forget to tighten them back up .... the guy behind me can eat my roof when the wind tears it off . Does this suit your needs ?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I would probably have to determine that the heat change from these 105 temperature days that we've had has caused the crack . I have watched my top sink in , at certain temps and be nice and contour on others . I have had my windows down just a hair to allow the heat to escape from inside the cabin .
I guess I'm supposed to loosen the front mounts while it sits there to allow for expanditure so then when I decide to drive it and forget to tighten them back up .... the guy behind me can eat my roof when the wind tears it off . Does this suit your needs ?
I guess I'm supposed to loosen the front mounts while it sits there to allow for expanditure so then when I decide to drive it and forget to tighten them back up .... the guy behind me can eat my roof when the wind tears it off . Does this suit your needs ?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,605
Likes: 1,857
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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i Have A Near Mint Original Blue Hugh / Tint Pair Of Glass Tops
Pm Me If Interested !!
Pm Me If Interested !!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore MD
All venting aside and setting aside all the rage - Thompson Astro Tops comes up quite a bit over in the C4 forum - all I can say from what I read over there - is that they would be the LAST place I would purchase a top from. Just take the time and search the Archives - this is not a new topic and the consensus is : Stay Away, Stay FAR FAR Away from them.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
Another thing no-one is considering...Are the tops that all these scads of people who have had them for "decades" without problems made EXACTLY the same now as they were "decades" ago. Or have they gone through "value engineering".
Mine lasted for about 5 years...I was able to get the weatherstripping to actually seal for the first few years - before the glue began to fail and the weatherstripping just fell off.
One posted rightly noted that our cars can flex and that might have contributed to the failure of the part...frankly the rear attachment is hardly positive IMO and I dont believe it is so excellent as to actually not shift in lieu of the plastic fracturing.
My point is, it doesnt have to be user failure...judging from my experience with the top it is cheaply made and can be made to work. when it does work its great and looks good...when it doesnt...well it still looks good, and is fine if you live in the desert and dont have to worry about rain.
See this
- Do they use the exact same types of plastic?
- The exact same glues?
- the exact same gauge of materials?
Mine lasted for about 5 years...I was able to get the weatherstripping to actually seal for the first few years - before the glue began to fail and the weatherstripping just fell off.
One posted rightly noted that our cars can flex and that might have contributed to the failure of the part...frankly the rear attachment is hardly positive IMO and I dont believe it is so excellent as to actually not shift in lieu of the plastic fracturing.
My point is, it doesnt have to be user failure...judging from my experience with the top it is cheaply made and can be made to work. when it does work its great and looks good...when it doesnt...well it still looks good, and is fine if you live in the desert and dont have to worry about rain.
See this
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
seriously though....whenever I see these Astro-Top threads, it always gets my attention. It really is a cool concept.
I really would like one, but...Everytime this comes up...the same ol BS posts start showing up. Some folks have them for decades & love them while some folks instantly complain of scratches & cracks...
Maybe I'll just sit here on the fence for a few more years, saving "stupidity remarks."
Thanks for the thread BTW
It's a shame too, 'cause it is a cool concept and nice clean look.
BTW, I've had guys try to follow me thru the twisties who have broken their GM glass tops, so I've just kept the original FRP's all these years.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
From: Around Memphis,tn
I had read previous treads before I bought the top last year but called the guy and allowed him to talk me into buying one because of his statements of how much nicer they were now with the new weatherstripping and all the improvements .
My Mistake ... lesson learned .... wont ever happen again !
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
From: Around Memphis,tn
