Can any one advise me on removal of the Hard Top, on a 94 convertible I bought recently ?

The manual is unreadable that came with it.

I do have the ratchet for the windshield two bolts, but the back rear, each side is puzzling. There appears to be three bolts there, on each side, but do they all get removed or just one on each side? And which one(s) ?

Thx for any and all help.

All Questions, Comments, and Gestures, appreciated.

 

Please fill out public profile and type of car.....

 

Oops..thx..all done.

 

I too have a 94 vert with a removable hard top. Lifting the hard top after removing the bolts is a 2 person job unless you have a pulley arrangement.

Two wrenches are needed plus you must unplug the wires to the defroster wires on the hard top before lifting it off the car. Using the Torx wrench, unscrew the windshield bolts (one on each side under the visors). The bolts float on the attachment bracket on the windshield, so they do not come out. Next unbolt the torx bolts attached to the hard top behind the driver and passenger seats - there should be 3 of them. Remove these bolts and washers. Next loosen the torx bolts that attach the bracket to the frame; you can remove all but one on each bracket as you do not want the brackets to fall and hit the car as you lift the hard top off, but they should all be very loose so that the brackets move freely. Now loosen the two bolts that attach the rear of the hard top at the convertible latchs with the closed end ratchet wrench. These rear deck bolts must be removed or completely loosened; they screw in and are not attached the same way the convertible top rear fasteners slide into the deck latches, i.e. you cannot just pull the convertible top latch release behind the driver seat to get the rear deck bolts out. You may have some trouble removing the rear deck bolts as the spacing between the hard top and the bolts is tight; that is why GM supplied a thin wrench (also available at Sears for $7) and the wrench is slow work. You can leave the bolts in the top attachment points, but make sure they have been completely unscrewed from the rear deck latches. I usually place a wood shim between the windshield and the hard top front so that the rear deck bolts come out a little easier. Once the rear bolts are loose, or out, lift the top off gently, guiding the top out of the brackets that attach behind the seats. Again, before lifting, disconnect the defroster wires.

Hope this helps.

 

Many Thanks, MTN !

I Googled this subject numerous times with no luck, hoping to find a schematic on this also..nothing. Or else I don't know where to look. You instructions are really appreciated. Looks like I'll need to go to Sears, as all that came with this car was the ratchet and attachment for the windshield part of this.

Sounds like as you say a special extra thin wrench at Sears ? Do you remember the size..I'll head over there.

Thx again

 

OK, i'm going out on a limb here...

I'm guessing you have a coupe. With a removable targa top. NOT a convertible.

And to remove the targa top, you unscrew the MIDDLE bolt behind your head and the passenger's head, leave the ones on the left and right alone. Those bolts come completely out.

Then unscrew (a LOT, it takes a while) the bolts on the roof near the windshield hidden underneath the visors. They don't come out, but they will disengage from the targa top.

You should then be able to easily lift the targa top off the top of the car.

 

I belive he clearly stated he has a convertible with the hard top. the first poster answered his question to a "T". the next iten on the op list should be an owners manual.

 

Invest in a owner's manual for your Vette. It details how to handle your hardtop.

 

Link below to online owners manual download

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...ad.php?t=72323

 

Here's the install instruction from GM.

 

Many thanks, that's perfect, and I appreciate the time you spent digging up that file, and all the help from all the others who offered help here.

You guys are OK +..so thanks !~

 

Enazz - hope this info on the wrenchs helps. Both wrenchs (Factory and Sears) are very thin. One end ratchet is 8 mm and the other is 7mm. The factory wrench has KAYSTAR RBM 0708 on the handle. I believe it is available at Ecklers for $50+. The Sears wrench is identical to the Factory, except is has a #42171 on the handle and not the KAYSTAR RBM 0708. Both wrenches have the Patent No. 2,500,835 on them. I know two or three years ago I spent $5.99for the Sears version. The last time I checked, about a year ago, the Sears wrench was available.

 

Thx, again..this shall be the weekend project I hope..Sears trip tomorrow for the wrench. Thx again, to you and all the others for the help.

 

That is what the forum is for; soon you will be posting answers for those of us who need advice and or help with a particular problem. Glad we could be of assistance, and thank you for your thank you, sometimes we forget to say thanks.

 

If you are interested in how to handle your hardtop removal and installation by yourself please post a reply.
I've done it half a dozen times,on and off and I've got a system down pat.
I rarely have someone available when I need them.

 

I have been doing by myself and it is scary I would like to hear how you do it if you don't mind.
Thanks
Bryce

 

I used to remove the hard tops from my 56 and 66 corvettes by myself without the use of a pulley arrangement. Of course I was 45 years younger then. For my C4, I use the pulley to remove it if the wife is not available, other wise she assists. For placing it on the car, she helps me. I am really interested in your system as I am about ready to remove the hard top for the spring and summer driving.

 

This isn't that fancy, but I have no fear of scratching the car using this method.
I'm 58 / 5' 6" / 140#'s
I don't generally use the structural brackets,cause the car just doesn't get that kind of use. I don't plug in defrosters.
Move car to centre of garage for easy access both sides.
Undo all 4 bolts 2 front 2 rear.
Put down windows.
Place moving blanket or heavy quilt against rear of hardtop across rear deck at least 2 ft wide.
Fold and place towel on each side behind hardtop on blanket.
We are talking about 3" of padding total.
Gently lift hard top on drivers side at back of window LT hand and pull towel and blanket forward RT hand under pin and bracket,while shifting the hardtop about 6" backwards onto towel.NO MORE THAN 6" or you may mark the pass side.
Repeat this on the other side.
Hard top should be resting on towel pads on top of blanket on rear deck.
AT ALL TIMES DURING THIS PROCESS ENSURE HARDTOP IS CENTRED ON REAR DECK SURFACE,YOU'VE MAYBE GOT 4" TO PLAY WITH OR IT WILL SLIDE OFF SIDEWAYS.
Go to centre rear of car and gently pull blanket backwards KEEP IT CENTRED across deck until rear window overhangs about 6".
Reach forward from centre rear into rear of window openings and lift it off,back away and place on blanket on the floor.
Repeat this process to install, I place a towel folded on the top of the windshield until the top is in position.I then pull the towel out and bolt down the hardtop.
Like I said it ain't rocket science but if your careful and methodical it works.
P.S. I'm open to ideas to make it safer or easier ???!!!

 

You obviously don't have the factory luggage rack. I'd like to see the different methods of using pulleys to lift the top off and store the top.

 

I have the factory luggage rack, so when my wife is not available, I use the pulley. I have a wood deck over the entrance to my lower garage, so I attach a eye bolt in a 2 x 6 board, and slide the eye bolt between the deck boards. I attach the pulley to the eye bolt, loosen the hard top bolts at windshield, driver and passenger pillars including the brackets, so the brackets are not rigid, remove the hard top bolts attached to the bracket, and the rear deck bolts. I then loosen the hard top on the car starting at the rear deck and slide a thick towel between the hard top and rear deck. I then back the corvette under the deck, slide the pulley straps under the rear window, and the two door windows (a triangular type of arrangement). I pull the hard top off the convertible about 6 inches to clear the luggage rack (yes the top sways and moves) and drive the corvette out from under the top. Lower the hard top onto a tarp on the ground, remove the straps, and place the top on my mobile carrier. Put a cover over the hard top on the carrier, and store the hard top in the basement. The directions with the pulley state that the pulley should not be used to store the hard top. I then remove the pulley arrangement from the deck. During the winter months, I store my spare 2002 coupe removable clear top on the carrier. It is moved to another storage location during the summer.

My wife helps me install the hard top as I figure that the pulley arrangement could cause trouble, especially in lining up the two pillar brackets. The top is not too heavy and she can lift it without a problem.

While I like the ingenious method described in the previous post, I do use the pillar brackets and there is very little space between the luggage rack and the hard top's rear window, so I am not sure I can use the method, but I will see if I can apply it when I take the hard top off within the next 3 weeks.
Installing and removing the hard tops on my 56 and 66 corvettes was much, much easier, and less involved.

Hope this answers the post I quoted above.