HELP! Convertible top frame alignment
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 7
From: Adelaide South Australia
HELP! Convertible top frame alignment
My convertible top decided to release itself from the front window when I got up to a bit of speed at the track last weekend.
It flung back about half way and acted like a serious air brake.
I pulled over to clip it down again, but found the front pins would not align into their respective holes on either side of the windshield..... they were about an inch too far forward.
I released the rear latches, and physically forced the front pins into position, but now the rear pins are too far forward (about 1") to align with the rear deck latches....
I need some advice on how to align the frame.
I can not see any physical damage to the frame.
If it is bent, I'm not sure where, as all the components pivot freely.
Anyone have some advice on how I should proceed to correct the mis-alignment?
Could it be the frame has moved at the mount bolts to the body (in the rear compartment)?
All help appreciated.
regards
tom
It flung back about half way and acted like a serious air brake.
I pulled over to clip it down again, but found the front pins would not align into their respective holes on either side of the windshield..... they were about an inch too far forward.
I released the rear latches, and physically forced the front pins into position, but now the rear pins are too far forward (about 1") to align with the rear deck latches....
I need some advice on how to align the frame.
I can not see any physical damage to the frame.
If it is bent, I'm not sure where, as all the components pivot freely.
Anyone have some advice on how I should proceed to correct the mis-alignment?
Could it be the frame has moved at the mount bolts to the body (in the rear compartment)?
All help appreciated.
regards
tom
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
You'll need to re-adjust and see where you are at. There are only two bolts on each side and it sounds simple but sometimes it's not. If something is bent (Honestly... it would surprise me if something wasn't bent) you'll have fits. You'll need to take a hard look at the frame and tweak back what was bent. We did a soft top installation about two months ago on the 71 we restored and the main arm adjustment brackets at the bottom on both sides were bent. Boy what a PITA fixing this.
Willcox
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 7
From: Adelaide South Australia
Well I loosened up the hinge bolts and I can now lock the top down, but it does require a bit of force.....
I need to pull the front section back a bit to allow the rear pins to align with the latch so that they can be locked first.
The front section then lowers to about 3 inches above the pin inserts and needs to be pulled down to lock into position....
At least I can lock it now.
It used to fall into place both front and rear before, so something is still amiss....
I also need to source windshield header corner mouldings for both left and right sides. Mine are quite worn where the front latch strikers make contact.... this is probably why the top let go at speed in the first instance.
I notice there are reproduction windshield corner mouldings for 69 model, but can't find a listing for 68 windshield header corner mouldings... ????
Anyone know where I can source replacements?
I need to pull the front section back a bit to allow the rear pins to align with the latch so that they can be locked first.
The front section then lowers to about 3 inches above the pin inserts and needs to be pulled down to lock into position....
At least I can lock it now.
It used to fall into place both front and rear before, so something is still amiss....
I also need to source windshield header corner mouldings for both left and right sides. Mine are quite worn where the front latch strikers make contact.... this is probably why the top let go at speed in the first instance.
I notice there are reproduction windshield corner mouldings for 69 model, but can't find a listing for 68 windshield header corner mouldings... ????
Anyone know where I can source replacements?
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
If the car is an early car with the two piece design there are no reproductions available.
The 69 and newer style will work as a replacement just fine though. They are however tricky to install if you don't remove the windshield.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=22127
They are 108.00 and if you use the forum discount code for this month you'll save another 10 percent.
Willcox
The 69 and newer style will work as a replacement just fine though. They are however tricky to install if you don't remove the windshield.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=22127
They are 108.00 and if you use the forum discount code for this month you'll save another 10 percent.
Willcox
