I am going to install my new targa tomorrow. All of the brackets mounted to the Melrose top are "loose" and appear ready for adjusting the top to fit correctly to the car. Can anyone provide the correct steps to install and adjust the new top?

 

The standard way to adjust the top is to:
a. first make sure the car is on a level surface
b. remove all of the trim from the windshield header. This will allow you access to the bracket screws for step f.
c. loosen the front mounting bracket screws ( the ones that hold the bracket to the top, not the top to the car). These are the same size Torx screws as the top so the top removal tool will work.
d. put the top on the car and snug the rear bolts
e. move the front brackets around until the top hold-down bolts can be screwed in easily.
f. make sure everything looks even, then tighten the front mounting bracket screws.
g. check for leaks and/or wind noise
h. remove the top, replace the windshield trim and you're done.


I've found a somewhat easier way to do this. Rather than removing the windshield trim, I simply loosen the bracket hold-down screws. Then I take two long pieces of masking tape and tape them to the brackets only, so that the tape sticks out beyond the windshield, roughly perpendicular to it, both inside and outside the car. Once I snug the rear screws I move the brackets around using the tape and when the front bolts fit in I press the tape against the headline inside the car and against the roof panel outside. Then I carefully remove the top and tighten the bracket hold-down screws. It might take a few tries but its easier than removing all of the windshield trim.

 

Not putting anything down that jrzvette stated above as its excellent advice but this gives another alternative from the tech tips section. Squeaky tops SUCK! This alleviates that problem.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=200&TopicID=2

Good luck!

 

Not exactly, besides Melrose includes instructions to fit the top the vehicle.

Up to step E, you don't need to physically move the hold down plates, just start and snug the front captive bolts that will align the loose hold down plates. Then through the access holes (trim removed) tighten the three hold down plate bolts (just snug will work).

Remove the top and place it on a carpeted surface front edge facing up, and torque the hold down plate bolts to 27Nm.

Reinstall the top always start the rear two first then just start the front two captive bolts and return to the rear and tighten the rear two follow by tightening the front two.

Reinstall your trim, rear view mirror, sun shades (visors), upper trim plates.

If the rear edge is not flush or the gap greater than before this can be adjusted through shims but it's rare this adjustment is off.

 

All great advise, but I'll add (1) additional though: When i got my new top,the instructions also included:
* Remove the rear halo molding to expose the bolts securing the back top mounting locations, loosen them (do not remove), fit top to back first, then, adjust front (loose), and just start both front and back top hold-down bolts in the brackets, then adjust and secure back 1st then go to the front...

 

Thanks to all! My top is a Melrose but it had no instructions with it. I went back and looked all through the container it was shipped in and there was nothing. I did get the top mounted but its leaking very bad (much worse than the old one) over the passenger area. I've tried "realigning" it several times but can't seem to even improve on the leak. I guess the next step is new OEM weatherstripping.

 

When I installed mine on 13 yo weatherstriping, I had a small leak near the far right passenger side. New weatherstriping fixed it.

 

Same place as mine. Weather stripping on the way!