PurpHze

There was a post not too long ago about cracking in the older transparent tops. Someone attributed the cracks to stress from body vibrations. I have had my '93 for about four months and I take the top off almost every weekend. Can anyone give their thoughts on how hard you should crank down the top? I tighten the bolts until they are firm, but not gorilla tight. Should I be wrenching them down tighter or backing them off a little?

Thanks!

65Z01

I too have my top off/on frequently in nice weather.

I just tighten them till they are pretty darn snug, though I don't try to snap them off or strip the bolts.

joecaver

You won't crack it from installing the bolts. The roof is a stressed structural member. It is twisting and flexing the entire time you are driving. That is why they crack. You can feel the body flex while driving with it removed.

Jet-Jock

The service manual gives the torque values: front 17.5 Nm and rear 15 Nm.

I think that is basically pretty snug.

Only thing I would add is doors open, windows down, hatch open. Start them all, snug the rear first then the front.

:flag

ZR-71

When I put the top back on regardless of transparent or painted, I snug down the bolts, then drive it once, then snug them again.
The driving around kind of re-seats the top.

JB666

Ehh, hell with it, grab your airgun and CRANK them on, they won't go anywhere!!

No, seriously, I've been having a problem lately with my bolts that hold the BRACKETS TO the top tight. The top keeps loosening up, but I have to take it off, and tighten the clamps down.. Time for some Loc-tite.

vader86

Its not going to break from you putting it on and off, its going to break from excess body flex, like going into nasty potholes and improper jacking....yadda yadda.

Bobby O.

Fix the flex problem with Cross-frame from r-dracing.com and then you don't have to worry about it. Just don't over tighten then.

SilverBeast

I think the cracks referenced may be the tiny hairline cracks from sand, dust and other road debris. I snug mine up and don't have any probems with it.

Mr Mojo

There was a post a while back about parking in the garage and then pulling out into the sun, four seasons etc, all that led to tops cracking.

The top getting warm, then cold, then warm,then cold accelerated the wear on the tops and caused cracking.

Neither of mine have cracked and I drive them hard, but my buddy keeps his in the garage are hardly drives it and his cracked.

Bottom line, drive the car more often and less problems occur.

Z-07 freak

A common cause of cracking, is people putting the tops in the rear storage compartment backwards.