Convertible owners help!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
Convertible owners help!
I am freshing up the tonnue cover (the lid over the convertible top) and easily removed the lid and all the linkages to clean up all the overspray on the linkages and sand the gloss black off and respray the correct GM semi-gloss. Anyway the hinges and hinge linkage are pretty crummy looking but I cannot gain access to that upper outboard 1/2" bolt. The bottom 9/16" bolt is easy and the inboard 1/2" is more of a pain but doable. I can see no way to remove that outboard bolt aside from taking the body off the car. 
The opening to it is 2" wide by 6" long and my hand barely fits back there much less a combination wrench or rachet. And even if I did get the tool in place I can not see how I'd move the tool side to side to unbolt that bolt. I will have to just half *** sand it in place and spray it attached unless someone out there knows how to reach that bolt.
The opening to it is 2" wide by 6" long and my hand barely fits back there much less a combination wrench or rachet. And even if I did get the tool in place I can not see how I'd move the tool side to side to unbolt that bolt. I will have to just half *** sand it in place and spray it attached unless someone out there knows how to reach that bolt.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,255
Likes: 0
From: Manalapan FL
My first Corvette ('68 vert) had a loose tonneau hinge due to a missing bolt. It took me hours (and many dropped bolts/nuts/wrenches) to squeeze my skinny 17 yr. old hand/arm up into that space. I finally got it, but it was brutal.
My advice: If your bolt is already in place, LEAVE IT!!!
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
My advice: If your bolt is already in place, LEAVE IT!!!
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
Likes: 313
From: Lake Norman NC
I agree..that bolt is hard to get to unless you have the body off..Good luck putting all the linkages back together and getting your cover to shut right. I spent a good 3 hours battling the perfect fit, adjusting and adjusting. You might not have as much trouble as me...of course i took everything off and laid it everywhere and put it back together somehow too.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 856
Likes: 2
From: Tyler Texas
David: Not 100% positive which bolt you are referring to, but I think I understand which one. C-3 convertible owners have to remove the rear deck lid, hinge assembly and hinge spring to gain access to the #4 body mount bolt---in the rear interior. Several forum members have used several tricks to gain access to the bolt. C3 convertible owners that have replaced the body mounts (especially 73 to 75 owners with rubber body mounts) should have some tips, photos or suggestions. It is doable! I have seen previous threads discussing this. If I can locate the threads I will contact you.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
thanks all. I have been unable to get that upper outboard bolt and went with 74's advise and just used a wire wheel dremel to clean it up in place then shot semi gloss GM black on the hinges. Right now I'm busy wire wheeling all the linkages to the lid which is a big pile of crap on my work bench, there's about 3 coats of paint on everything. The ones i've done shine up real nice. Next comes the lid itself, hope it comes out nice. Thanks all.
