Glass top cracks
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 120
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From: Bedford TX
Glass top cracks
My '96 Z51 is on its sixth glass top. The car was bought new and now has almost 70K miles. The top seems to average about 10K miles or 18 months, whichever comes first. I don't race it or drive particularly hard and rarely remove the roof. So far the general has bellied up to the bar and replaced every one under warranty. I've had two dealerships each put three tops on the car. I'm just afraid at some point GM is going to say "enough" and I'll be stuck with a cracked glass top. I've had a dozen C4s and never had this problem before this car. Anyone ever heard of this problem before? 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,183
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From: MidOhio
Can you describe the area and extent of the cracking in more detail or maybe some pics? Have they tried doing anything other than just replacing the top? Anyone out there know what or if there's a cut-off on repeated, same problem warrenty claims? 
Last edited by tonymax2; Jan 7, 2005 at 11:55 PM. Reason: add question2
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
first time I've heard about that problem. I think I'd be demanding some answers because it sounds like the frame is flexingway to much. There are frame braces offered by vendors, but I'd ask them to get it up in the air and take a look at it. Sooner or later their gonna cut you lose-so make sure you get it properly taken care of now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
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From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
My `87 also has the original top. All I have are about a million of those tiny stress marks, I guess from the age of the top, but no leaks. ( Course now that I`ve said that, the top will probably implode before the night is out 
)
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Maybe it's time to have the frame checked, in particular the alignment between the header and the bow. Or maybe there is some adjustment of the Torx brackets that hold the top in place??
It may be that the top is being distroted too much when you tighten the Torx bolts holding it. Try tightening the rear bolts completely and check to see how the top aligns to the header. BTW, I always tighten the rears completely and then do the fronts.
It may be that the top is being distroted too much when you tighten the Torx bolts holding it. Try tightening the rear bolts completely and check to see how the top aligns to the header. BTW, I always tighten the rears completely and then do the fronts.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,898
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From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Originally Posted by 65Z01
Maybe it's time to have the frame checked, in particular the alignment between the header and the bow. Or maybe there is some adjustment of the Torx brackets that hold the top in place??
It may be that the top is being distroted too much when you tighten the Torx bolts holding it. Try tightening the rear bolts completely and check to see how the top aligns to the header. BTW, I always tighten the rears completely and then do the fronts.
It may be that the top is being distroted too much when you tighten the Torx bolts holding it. Try tightening the rear bolts completely and check to see how the top aligns to the header. BTW, I always tighten the rears completely and then do the fronts.
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Corpus Christi TX
Originally Posted by kenv
My `87 also has the original top. All I have are about a million of those tiny stress marks, I guess from the age of the top, but no leaks. ( Course now that I`ve said that, the top will probably implode before the night is out )
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
All C-4s flex....
Some flex more than others. You need a frame brace. Most catalog houses sell them and they are not too expensive. When you hit a slight pot hole on the highway and you are at speed, does your vette want to change direction a little but you didn't turn the wheel?= Flex.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
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From: Obama=death for America
If the problem you are having is the frame flexing, a rollbar would certainly help. This wouldn't per se fix the problem, but it would probably prevent it from reoccurring. Just a thought.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bedford TX
The top cracks from both sides. I usually take it to the dealership as soon as I notice the cracking, so the rarely get longer than two or three inches before the top gets replaced.
The dealers don't just slap on the new top...They actually have a proceedure to fit the top to each specific car. Still, I can see one or two scew ups in that proceedure, but not a half dozen.
The dealers don't just slap on the new top...They actually have a proceedure to fit the top to each specific car. Still, I can see one or two scew ups in that proceedure, but not a half dozen.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bedford TX
Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Wonder if some type of frame brace would help reduce flex a little? That many tops does sound a bit excessive. Best of luck.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bedford TX
Originally Posted by kenv
My `87 also has the original top. All I have are about a million of those tiny stress marks, I guess from the age of the top, but no leaks. ( Course now that I`ve said that, the top will probably implode before the night is out )
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 120
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From: Bedford TX
[QUOTE=65Z01]
It may be that the top is being distroted too much when you tighten the Torx bolts holding it. QUOTE]
It's sure making me "distrot."
Sorry...I couldn't help myself. 
I don't think I'm over tightening the bolts because the cracks appear in various locations along the sides, not just at the corners.
It may be that the top is being distroted too much when you tighten the Torx bolts holding it. QUOTE]
It's sure making me "distrot."
Sorry...I couldn't help myself. I don't think I'm over tightening the bolts because the cracks appear in various locations along the sides, not just at the corners.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bedford TX
Originally Posted by elefkow
Some flex more than others. You need a frame brace. Most catalog houses sell them and they are not too expensive. When you hit a slight pot hole on the highway and you are at speed, does your vette want to change direction a little but you didn't turn the wheel?= Flex.