Convertible Hardtop Problems
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 2
From: Castro Valley Calif.
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oh man, this is a tuff one 
The only thing I can think of is to access the torx bolts that retain the mount on the top itself if you can get to them (I think there's three in a triangular pattern)............ otherwise you'll need to get to the head of the bolt that's stripped and pull it as you turn it out. This will involve trashing the upper trim piece, but this isn't too bad a hit. That header bracket is toast as well because that bolt is captive in there, so it shouldn't be too bad from that point with vise grips or whatever......you may even have to tack a steel rod on it to be able to pull it out. Like I said though, that header bracket will need replacing anyway
I've always wondered why the top doesn't attach front and rear the way the soft top does..........maybe that's too easy
Good luck Bud
The only thing I can think of is to access the torx bolts that retain the mount on the top itself if you can get to them (I think there's three in a triangular pattern)............ otherwise you'll need to get to the head of the bolt that's stripped and pull it as you turn it out. This will involve trashing the upper trim piece, but this isn't too bad a hit. That header bracket is toast as well because that bolt is captive in there, so it shouldn't be too bad from that point with vise grips or whatever......you may even have to tack a steel rod on it to be able to pull it out. Like I said though, that header bracket will need replacing anyway
I've always wondered why the top doesn't attach front and rear the way the soft top does..........maybe that's too easy
Good luck Bud
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,152
Likes: 239
From: Northern VA
Kind of the redneck way but if they are stripped bad enough, try the next size up in torx head and tap it into the bolt head with a hammer. It might seat itself enough to loosen. Good luck with it.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Bad Corvette week
It is the torx head itself that is stripped not the threads, seems the threads are fine.
Also, had a d@Mn ford back into me today, driver rear quarter, bumper and driver rear wheel damaged, I could have spit nails around lunch today. So I guess I'll let the body shop figure the stripped torx head out...
Also, had a d@Mn ford back into me today, driver rear quarter, bumper and driver rear wheel damaged, I could have spit nails around lunch today. So I guess I'll let the body shop figure the stripped torx head out...
Last edited by slatton79; Mar 15, 2006 at 08:03 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The bolts are T40's (same size as the B-pillar bracket bolts) but if the socket recess in the bolt is rounded off, you might try tapping an Easy-Out into the socket to see if you can get the corners of it to grab.
The windshield header bolts are not suppose to be very tight (11-17 ft-lbs) so if you can get something to wedge into the socket, the bolt should easiny turn out.
Once the top is off, the encapsulated bolt is not difficult to remove. Finding another one to replace it may be a different story.
The windshield header bolts are not suppose to be very tight (11-17 ft-lbs) so if you can get something to wedge into the socket, the bolt should easiny turn out.
Once the top is off, the encapsulated bolt is not difficult to remove. Finding another one to replace it may be a different story.
