Glass top airgap...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 4
From: Hawthorne NJ
Glass top airgap...
I have an '89 Coupe and ever since I installed a new '89 glasstop I have had leak issues. I caulked the rim around the front of the glass on the outside. I installed new weatherstripping( GM.) If I sit inside and press up on the top, it lifts up about an 1/8th of an inch. I have adjusted the top a thousand times as per many members suggestions and still it leaks.
But what concerns me most is the air coming through that area that you can push up.
I took it off, turned it over, clamped it and applied silicon caulk and let it sit a few days before bolting it on. It still moves up.
Should I caulk it from the inside while it is bolted onto the car, in the space between the plastic frame and the glasstop?
Thanks
But what concerns me most is the air coming through that area that you can push up.
I took it off, turned it over, clamped it and applied silicon caulk and let it sit a few days before bolting it on. It still moves up.
Should I caulk it from the inside while it is bolted onto the car, in the space between the plastic frame and the glasstop?
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
I have a 1989 with both tops. These tops should not have to caulked. It sounds like you have a structural issue either with the top (most likely) or the attachments to the car. What brand and type of top is this?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
Likes: 4
From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
This may sound like a dumb question, but did someone change the bolts that attach the top to the pillar? Are they too long? that would explain why they top does not seal.
I would remove the top, remove a bolt, and make sure it is screwing into the pillar correctly.
Randy
I would remove the top, remove a bolt, and make sure it is screwing into the pillar correctly.
Randy
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 4
From: Hawthorne NJ
I realize they don't come caulked but they do have a thick double-stick tape holding the top to the frame. That's where it is unattached and so I thought the caulk would re-bond it.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 4
From: Hawthorne NJ
This may sound like a dumb question, but did someone change the bolts that attach the top to the pillar? Are they too long? that would explain why they top does not seal.
I would remove the top, remove a bolt, and make sure it is screwing into the pillar correctly.
Randy
I would remove the top, remove a bolt, and make sure it is screwing into the pillar correctly.
Randy
Does anyone know if the bolts for a solid top are any different than the bolts for an acrylic top?
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
It's worth a shot but since these bolts are behind the plastic and don't fall out unless you take the plastic frame cover off,I know for a fact they are the same bolts that were on the previous glass-top that I replaced. I bought this top off a forum member who had put it on his car for a very short period and then took it off and kept it in storage because he didn't like how hot the inside got.
Does anyone know if the bolts for a solid top are any different than the bolts for an acrylic top?
Thanks
Does anyone know if the bolts for a solid top are any different than the bolts for an acrylic top?
Thanks
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
There should be no "air gap", and you shouldn't be able to push the top up any at all if it is bolted down.
With the top bolted down (really it's the frame that's bolted down)
If you can push up and see or feel a gap in the top, then it is separating from the frame.
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
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From: Columbus Ohio
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 4
From: Hawthorne NJ
"So does the frame push up or does the lexan panel move in the frame? "
The frame does not push up, the acrylic pushes up because the thick double-stick tape that originally held it down has lost it's hold.
I need to apply something that will keep it held together.
The frame does not push up, the acrylic pushes up because the thick double-stick tape that originally held it down has lost it's hold.
I need to apply something that will keep it held together.
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 22,830
Likes: 13
From: Columbus Ohio
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
I don't think GM used double sided tape to adhere the lexan panel to the frame. You might be able to find a good quality adhesive to remount the lexan to the frame.
Last edited by Blue 92; Oct 27, 2008 at 01:25 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
I am pretty sure there was no "thick double-stick tape" holding it together when it left the factory.
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 22,830
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From: Columbus Ohio
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
This might help you. It's for the solid top but the Lexan top should be similar.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...14&postcount=3
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...14&postcount=3
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
There is not supposed to be any double-stick tape. If I were you I would try to get my money back. If not, take it to a auto glass shop to see if they can re-bond it to the frame.