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Trouble removing targa top...

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Old Jul 30, 2006 | 02:25 AM
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Default Trouble removing targa top...

SO I posted a few days ago about a buddy of mine that didnt know what to use to remove his top, well I met up with him today with the T40 bit, what I was told to use here, and this is what I encountered....

Any help on what to use here would be fantastic....

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Old Jul 30, 2006 | 03:04 AM
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It's a keyed lock like a wheel lug lock. Ask the previous owner if he has the key. Look in the glove box, center console and the read storage bin behind the pass. seat for it. Also on a 94 or newer the door armrests flip up for storage. If none of that works, break out the drill, or stot it with a dremel tool with a cut off wheel. Good luck, Robert You may be able to remove the smaller screws and then work on the big one.
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Old Jul 30, 2006 | 03:39 AM
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Originally Posted by vancityguy
i don't have a screw like that on mine only the torx bit screw heads.... what year is his vette?
His has an after market keyed lock on it, they came standard with the torks screw. He'll have to find the key or cut it off.
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Old Jul 30, 2006 | 03:59 AM
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I read the first post expecting the torx screw to have performed its infamous "rounding out" trick that 7 out of 10 torx screws love to do when you're loosening them....


But I wasn't expecting to see a lock on the targa bolts. Good luck with that.
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Old Jul 31, 2006 | 12:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Quiktrp94
It's a keyed lock like a wheel lug lock. Ask the previous owner if he has the key. Look in the glove box, center console and the read storage bin behind the pass. seat for it. Also on a 94 or newer the door armrests flip up for storage. If none of that works, break out the drill, or stot it with a dremel tool with a cut off wheel. Good luck, Robert You may be able to remove the smaller screws and then work on the big one.
looking at your picture if you remove the 2 small screws, the attaching plate may stay in place, you may be able to get the lock off with vice grips.
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Old Jul 31, 2006 | 01:15 AM
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You may be able to cut a piece out of the bottom edge with a dremel and hit the edge of it with a small chisel or screwdriver to losen it.
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Old Jul 31, 2006 | 06:25 AM
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drill it and use an easyout on it.
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Old Jul 31, 2006 | 07:14 AM
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order a set of these from Stahlwille...
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Old Jul 31, 2006 | 07:21 AM
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Hey guys, I'm the owner. Thanks for all the responses so far.

I have searched the car high and low for the correct tool (key) for this top. There is no possible way of contacting the previous owner, trust me, I've tried (long story).

Is there any alternative to drilling or otherwise destroying the locks?

Thanks

Edit - I like where Casethecorvetteman is going. I'd rather not buy an entire set of tools for it, unless necessary.

Last edited by TantricLT4; Jul 31, 2006 at 07:37 AM.
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Old Jul 31, 2006 | 07:25 AM
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The part number for the correct bolt is #14051183 and you get one per pack. Order some new ones and chuck those ones away.
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Old Jul 31, 2006 | 07:30 AM
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lock smith
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Old Jul 31, 2006 | 12:10 PM
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Originally Posted by TantricLT4
Hey guys, I'm the owner. Thanks for all the responses so far.

I have searched the car high and low for the correct tool (key) for this top. There is no possible way of contacting the previous owner, trust me, I've tried (long story).

Is there any alternative to drilling or otherwise destroying the locks?

Thanks

Edit - I like where Casethecorvetteman is going. I'd rather not buy an entire set of tools for it, unless necessary.
You can remove the outer two bolts on both sides if you're wanting to take the top off without going through the hassle of finding a tool to remove those bolts.
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Old Jul 31, 2006 | 01:59 PM
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Originally Posted by TantricLT4
Edit - I like where Casethecorvetteman is going. I'd rather not buy an entire set of tools for it, unless necessary.
If you're planning on doing any work on your car you'll need a set like that. You'ld be surprised at the number of Torx bolts of different sizes in a C4; throttle body, door hinges/ strike plates, console, etc.

Last edited by jrzvette; Jul 31, 2006 at 02:10 PM.
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Old Jul 31, 2006 | 02:20 PM
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Originally Posted by JJ 86
You can remove the outer two bolts on both sides if you're wanting to take the top off without going through the hassle of finding a tool to remove those bolts.
You have got to be kidding me.
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Old Jul 31, 2006 | 02:46 PM
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The bolt in the middle isn't the factory bolt. If i take my top off thats the two bolts i remove (long story). Its not very difficult putting the top back on either. Those bolts i believe are t30.
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Old Jul 31, 2006 | 05:08 PM
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Or you can wait for someone to run a red light and broadside you. That's what got the top off for the first time on my previous 96 LT1:


Last edited by tobijohn; Jul 31, 2006 at 05:11 PM.
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Old Jul 31, 2006 | 06:48 PM
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Originally Posted by TantricLT4
Hey guys, I'm the owner. Thanks for all the responses so far.

I have searched the car high and low for the correct tool (key) for this top. There is no possible way of contacting the previous owner, trust me, I've tried (long story).

Is there any alternative to drilling or otherwise destroying the locks?

Thanks

Edit - I like where Casethecorvetteman is going. I'd rather not buy an entire set of tools for it, unless necessary.
Just to make sure: you DID check the two armrest storage compartments???/
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Old Jul 31, 2006 | 06:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Casethecorvetteman
order a set of these from Stahlwille...
Will not help.....Need to slot it with a small dremel wheel and use a straight tipped screw driver.............
Have a Great Day!!!!!!!!
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Old Aug 1, 2006 | 12:21 AM
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Originally Posted by JJ 86
The bolt in the middle isn't the factory bolt. If i take my top off thats the two bolts i remove (long story). Its not very difficult putting the top back on either. Those bolts i believe are t30.
Oh I know the middle isn't factory. You forget this is my third C4.
I, however, was not aware that you could remove the other two bolts to remove the top. I haven't had time to try it yet, but I just can't see how that would work. Thanks for your help though Jeremy.

Originally Posted by LT4CompYell
Just to make sure: you DID check the two armrest storage compartments???/
Yep, I've been everywhere.
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Old Aug 1, 2006 | 07:36 AM
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I've seen these before. We use them with computers. Check your computer stores for these. I had to buy one for an IBM Server once. So I know they are out there.
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