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I would like to ask for proper way to remove top. Every video I see shows remove 4 t40 screws. My 1988 has two on rear of targa and I believe in order to get to the front two I would need to remove trim along with rear view mirror?
For the front bolts you will find one access hole on drivers side and other on passenger side. Insert the tool and turn counter clockwise and of course do the same on the rear bolts. I strongly suggest you go to YouTube where you will find a number of videos on the process. You don't remove the bolts.
Yes I think I watched all of them lol, my 88 is different the hole that looks like we’re the t40 is. It is a Phillips screw bothe sides. I will take pics the best I can. Tomorrow
Yes it does and yes they both look like those. My issue I’m having that I have not seen was the trim that goes under both visors. Looks like I have to remove the trim to get to those t40 screws. I seen online someplace but I can not find where I read that. Everyone else talks about just 4 t40 screws. I’m currently at work. I will try to post some pictures. Later. I don’t believe it was ever off the car before. Been in family since NEW. Was never really driven.
As everyone has said, you DO NOT have to remove any trim to take the targa top off. It was designed to be taken off and put back on whenever. Otherwise, why would there be the targa top holders in the back hatch area.
The front bolts are up inside a recessed area, a small tunnel so to speak. That is why the long Torx bit extension.
This video shows where the various bolts are located
Ornelas, can you take photos of the front trim and post them for us to see?
That way, we can make sure there hasn’t been some changes to your car.
These guys on this forum are very sharp and experienced with these cars, especially if you treat them to Corvette pictures.
I must of looked to fast before, but it does look like a torx40. I will try this weekend. If all goes well I will take photos thank you all for the EXTREME FAST RESPONSE!!!!
Yous all can let me know if anyone has or been told the had to remove top, In order to have car lifted to change tires. I went to 2 places Totten tire and kanrock. They both said I needed to remove top. That’s where all this started lol. I ended up making appointment at Chevrolet dealer and let them do what they have too... thank you all again.
I hear both sides of the remove/don’t remove.
Since it is pretty easy, just to be safe, I remove it. I just pull the bolts, carefully lift the rear, and place a folded blanket under the targa and roof to lift the top about 3/4 an inch. That way if the frame flexes, the roof will not be binded and I don’t risk dropping the roof by carrying it. Done it this this numerous times.
I must of looked to fast before, but it does look like a torx40. I will try this weekend. If all goes well I will take photos thank you all for the EXTREME FAST RESPONSE!!!!
Yous all can let me know if anyone has or been told the had to remove top, In order to have car lifted to change tires. I went to 2 places Totten tire and kanrock. They both said I needed to remove top. That’s where all this started lol. I ended up making appointment at Chevrolet dealer and let them do what they have too... thank you all again.
Where do shops get this nonsense from? No, you do not need to remove the roof to pull the wheels off or anything else for that matter. I've never pulled the roof, opened the hood, nor opened the doors to do anything on my C4. I've had just the front or rear up in the air, the whole car, and even just a single corner, and not once have I done any of the aforementioned door opening and such, and there have been zero problems. The car will flex more with the roof removed, so if they're worried about frame flex for whatever reason, then removing the roof is the exact opposite of what they should be doing. Either way, there is no reason to be concerned with frame flex when doing routine work.
Where do shops get this nonsense from? No, you do not need to remove the roof to pull the wheels off or anything else for that matter. I've never pulled the roof, opened the hood, nor opened the doors to do anything on my C4. I've had just the front or rear up in the air, the whole car, and even just a single corner, and not once have I done any of the aforementioned door opening and such, and there have been zero problems. The car will flex more with the roof removed, so if they're worried about frame flex for whatever reason, then removing the roof is the exact opposite of what they should be doing. Either way, there is no reason to be concerned with frame flex when doing routine work.
Maybe it originated with the C3 generation t-tops and carried forward? I could not confirm either way, as I mentioned in my earlier post. But the tops are so $&@! expensive to replace, I don’t want to risk it!
That’s why I figure I will just exercise the bolts and seals anyway when I pop the top.
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Originally Posted by DWAVette
Maybe it originated with the C3 generation t-tops and carried forward? I could not confirm either way, as I mentioned in my earlier post. But the tops are so $&@! expensive to replace, I don’t want to risk it!
That’s why I figure I will just exercise the bolts and seals anyway when I pop the top.
What? I was supposed to take my C3 targa tops off too when jacking?
Been doing it all wrong for 42 years then
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Originally Posted by Ornelas75
I must of looked to fast before, but it does look like a torx40. I will try this weekend. If all goes well I will take photos thank you all for the EXTREME FAST RESPONSE!!!!
Yous all can let me know if anyone has or been told the had to remove top, In order to have car lifted to change tires. I went to 2 places Totten tire and kanrock. They both said I needed to remove top. That’s where all this started lol. I ended up making appointment at Chevrolet dealer and let them do what they have too... thank you all again.
What? I was supposed to take my C3 targa tops off too when jacking?
Been doing it all wrong for 42 years then
Yep. Like I said...I have heard both sides say “Never had a problem” or “It cracked when the car flexed” so what the hell. It costs no money and exercises bolts and seals to do it, so I just do it. But I never say it has to be done. Make your own decision.
For the shops. Some manager likely heard it somewhere and does not want to risk having to buy a new top.
My guess is, if the cars are jacked according to factory instructions, it will be fine. However, if Bubba sticks a bumper jack under the front corner and lifts one corner to the moon, maybe there will be a problem!!!
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C4 Targa Top Removal
No, you do not need to remove the roof to pull the wheels off or anything else for that matter. I've never pulled the roof, opened the hood, nor opened the doors to do anything on my C4. I've had just the front or rear up in the air, the whole car, and even just a single corner, and not once have I done any of the aforementioned door opening and such, and there have been zero problems. The car will flex more with the roof removed, so if they're worried about frame flex for whatever reason, then removing the roof is the exact opposite of what they should be doing. Either way, there is no reason to be concerned with frame flex when doing routine work.
