t-top weatherstrip ?`s
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 255
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From: bklyn ny
t-top weatherstrip ?`s
i have recently decided to re-weatherstrip my glass tops figureing they were 22 years old and it was about that time. well let me tell you this , it is more difficult than i imagined . there is no easy way to do this other than with your bare hands and lots of sweat . the problem i face is on the passenger top , i managed to strip 3 of the 4 phillips screws. NOW WHAT ? anyone have ANY SUGGESTIONS ? i tried shoving a screw driver underneath the metal to try and pry it up ; all that i accomplished was to bend the screw driver . any help would be appreciated.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: brownwood, tx
Re: t-top weatherstrip ?`s (Markm10431)
The ezout is not a bad idea. You might also try the handiest tool I've found for these type situations.... small needle-nose vise-grips. Clamp the jaws on the outside of the screw & twist... continue turning until the little sucker is out. Hope this helps.
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Re: t-top weatherstrip ?`s (kingdavidrules)
Is there any way to get in behind the screw head and squirt some penetrant in there to hopefully loosen things? Not sure where the screws are, so I'm not sure what you're up against.
Good luck!
Dave
Good luck!
Dave
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 255
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From: bklyn ny
Re: t-top weatherstrip ?`s (ddecart)
when the top is in place on the roof , the screws run adjacent to the door windows edge ; along the side where the latch is . there is no sealant there . the weatherstrip has a metal frame on that side and is secured by 4 screws.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
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From: I can walk to MA
Re: t-top weatherstrip ?`s (kingdavidrules)
If you use a 1/4" drill - and drill the phillips head out. Try to drill it straight
and centered. Once you drill through the head of the screw, the shaft will
still be there, but the piece will be free. Do this to all your stripped screws.
Once the pieces are off, you will still have to get the stuck screws out.
Now is the time to hit them with penetrating oil and get the vise grips on 'em.
It doesn't always work - but I think it's your best bet here.
I've had little luck with EZ outs.
:seeya
[Modified by Daves_rusty_75, 12:27 AM 8/4/2002]
and centered. Once you drill through the head of the screw, the shaft will
still be there, but the piece will be free. Do this to all your stripped screws.
Once the pieces are off, you will still have to get the stuck screws out.
Now is the time to hit them with penetrating oil and get the vise grips on 'em.
It doesn't always work - but I think it's your best bet here.
I've had little luck with EZ outs.
:seeya
[Modified by Daves_rusty_75, 12:27 AM 8/4/2002]
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 255
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From: bklyn ny
Re: t-top weatherstrip ?`s (slim)
finally , i got them off using a needle nose plyer and some elbo greese. it actually didnt take as long as i thought , once i got a grip on the slanted screw head and twisted it a little , i was able to turn the screw with my fingertip. now i face a new problem : do i reuse these striped screws ? or try to find a set at a home depot ? can i order them online some where ? i thank you all for your help.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 23
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From: Grandview MO
Re: t-top weatherstrip ?`s (kingdavidrules)
I just replaced mine, I found some at ACE Hardware, not the same head, but with a torx head, and they fit great. Did you replace weatherstriping on the drivers side yet? Good luck also getting it to line back up on the car.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: bklyn ny
Re: t-top weatherstrip ?`s (jbonness)
Good luck also getting it to line back up on the car.
i now know what you mean by this. the old weatherstrip was so worn and lifeless that it was a breeze to take off and put on the car. i really suffered putting the tops on the car and having them lock into place. the passenger side was fairly easy ; the drivers side was a mission. i noticed that the foam was on the inside of the car so i pushed it through with my finger but it would not lock into the clip on the door post . i was afraid to break the glass top so i did what anyone else would do that was expecting it to rain today. i shoved that sucker into place with all my might and locked it in! will it get easier with time ? do i have to re-do the drivers strip? how long schould i leave it on so that it conforms properly ?
i now know what you mean by this. the old weatherstrip was so worn and lifeless that it was a breeze to take off and put on the car. i really suffered putting the tops on the car and having them lock into place. the passenger side was fairly easy ; the drivers side was a mission. i noticed that the foam was on the inside of the car so i pushed it through with my finger but it would not lock into the clip on the door post . i was afraid to break the glass top so i did what anyone else would do that was expecting it to rain today. i shoved that sucker into place with all my might and locked it in! will it get easier with time ? do i have to re-do the drivers strip? how long schould i leave it on so that it conforms properly ?
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 23
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From: Grandview MO
Re: t-top weatherstrip ?`s (kingdavidrules)
I am still adjusting mine, I had to remove a spacer or 2, it did seem to settle in place a little easier after a few days on the car. I do have a leak towards the front center pilar of the top that I am trying to adjust out.
