targa top need help
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 30
From: Granite City Illinois
targa top need help
I just bought my first Corvette, a 1984. It needs quite a few things done on it, I guess it was to be expected.
The targa top pops and slams up and down no matter how much I tighten the front or back bolts.
Only have two brackets and 4 bolts. It looks like there could or should be two longer bolts that bolt the bracket to the Body. I only have bolts for Top to bracket.
That tool kind of sucks too the seats are in the way.
Maybe if I can fond the way you move the seat backs.
Ok thats another issue it probably should go in a seperate thread Im guessing, new here and dont want to do things wrong so I figure a separate thread for each isue (for indexing or searching purposes.)
But if its ok to put a few separate things in one thread too will someone please let me know, I could make one with all the issues I found so far and everyone can pick and choose from the long lost
Driving 430 miles with the top down when its cold wasnt as much fun as I thought it would be , too cold.
The targa top pops and slams up and down no matter how much I tighten the front or back bolts.
Only have two brackets and 4 bolts. It looks like there could or should be two longer bolts that bolt the bracket to the Body. I only have bolts for Top to bracket.
That tool kind of sucks too the seats are in the way.
Maybe if I can fond the way you move the seat backs.
Ok thats another issue it probably should go in a seperate thread Im guessing, new here and dont want to do things wrong so I figure a separate thread for each isue (for indexing or searching purposes.)
But if its ok to put a few separate things in one thread too will someone please let me know, I could make one with all the issues I found so far and everyone can pick and choose from the long lost
Driving 430 miles with the top down when its cold wasnt as much fun as I thought it would be , too cold.
Last edited by ToniJ1960; Jul 25, 2013 at 06:40 PM. Reason: Adding content
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: Stowe VT
The front need to be tightened first, then the rear. Im lazy so i keep an old cordless drill in the car. When the top is out check the weather striping, it acts like a cusion. With a cordless drill you can see the top get sucked right down and tight.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 30
From: Granite City Illinois
I will look over the weatherstripping I doubt its in great shape.
The bottom of the top has wood on it is that normal?
What about getting a soft targa top?
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: Stowe VT
You are missing 2 bolts for the back, they are about an 1inch and a quarter. Thats what ties the back down tight. No wood should be on anything, unless you are clarky ,who has wood filler quarter pannels, but thats a long story for another day.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 30
From: Granite City Illinois
I guess hes not the only one now. Mine has dark plastic o r glass whatever it is, and wood underneath like a sandwich.
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Advanced
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 98
Likes: 4
From: Canaseraga NY
Check all the threads for any obstructions, measure and chase them to be sure you are getting full seat once their tight. If you are finding wood then the car is "touched" which means you're in for an adventure. Best of Luck
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 30
From: Granite City Illinois
I hear that I want to put up a long list of the things Im going to need help and advice with and let people pick and choose what they can try to help with. Is that allowed?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,750
Likes: 275
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
There are brackets bolted to the windshield frame that the front of the targa bolts to, if one or both of the brackets are loose that will explain it.
You will need to remove the targa roof, remove the sunvisors, mirror and windshield header plastic trim to access the brackets.
Each bracket has two bolts with torx heads, tighten them and check the bolts in the brackets, you can easily remove the cap to remove and replace the bolts that screw into your targa roof panel.
You will need to remove the targa roof, remove the sunvisors, mirror and windshield header plastic trim to access the brackets.
Each bracket has two bolts with torx heads, tighten them and check the bolts in the brackets, you can easily remove the cap to remove and replace the bolts that screw into your targa roof panel.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 30
From: Granite City Illinois
There are brackets bolted to the windshield frame that the front of the targa bolts to, if one or both of the brackets are loose that will explain it.
You will need to remove the targa roof, remove the sunvisors, mirror and windshield header plastic trim to access the brackets.
Each bracket has two bolts with torx heads, tighten them and check the bolts in the brackets, you can easily remove the cap to remove and replace the bolts that screw into your targa roof panel.
You will need to remove the targa roof, remove the sunvisors, mirror and windshield header plastic trim to access the brackets.
Each bracket has two bolts with torx heads, tighten them and check the bolts in the brackets, you can easily remove the cap to remove and replace the bolts that screw into your targa roof panel.
Now you say you have to loosen o remove the plastic trim and the mirror and visors. Can you tell me how to remove those pieces or direct me to a thread with that information?
Can they be checked to see if they are actually loose without removing all of that?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,750
Likes: 275
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
That I should look into. I did find two of the longer bolts on EBay and just finished the transaction. So by the time they get here maybe I can have that checked out by then.
Now you say you have to loosen o remove the plastic trim and the mirror and visors. Can you tell me how to remove those pieces or direct me to a thread with that information?
Can they be checked to see if they are actually loose without removing all of that?
Now you say you have to loosen o remove the plastic trim and the mirror and visors. Can you tell me how to remove those pieces or direct me to a thread with that information?
Can they be checked to see if they are actually loose without removing all of that?
1 remove targa top.
2 remove the two plastic trim pieces.
3 remove sunvisor nuts and remove sunvisors/ disconnect electrical plug for lighted sunvisors.
4 remove mirror.
5 remove screws on the header trim panel and remove the trim panel.
Only now can you see the windshield header brackets and the two torx bolts securing each bracket to the windshield frame.
I will go find one of my old targa brackets and will post pics of how to remove the enclosed bolt that secures the targa roof.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
I actually changed the trim pieces on my 86 to fit a 91 top. My 86 was busted when I bought it, found the 91 for a hundred bucks, plus some other parts thrown in..like the windshield wiper arms, bolts for the top, fuel door, battery/body side panels, ect. Anyway, when I adjusted the brackets for the "new" 91 top, I left the trim pieces loose enough to still get a wrench in there to tighten up things.Toni, I have an extra wiper arm (passenger) that I offered in here, a few months ago, for free. Its now buried somewhere out in my garage, under who knows what. when I come across it, you can have it. Or, you can drive to indy (4 hour drive from St. Louis) and find it yourself,lol.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 30
From: Granite City Illinois
I actually changed the trim pieces on my 86 to fit a 91 top. My 86 was busted when I bought it, found the 91 for a hundred bucks, plus some other parts thrown in..like the windshield wiper arms, bolts for the top, fuel door, battery/body side panels, ect. Anyway, when I adjusted the brackets for the "new" 91 top, I left the trim pieces loose enough to still get a wrench in there to tighten up things.Toni, I have an extra wiper arm (passenger) that I offered in here, a few months ago, for free. Its now buried somewhere out in my garage, under who knows what. when I come across it, you can have it. Or, you can drive to indy (4 hour drive from St. Louis) and find it yourself,lol.
It makes me feel officially welcomed, and if I wasnt still sore from driving home to St Louis from Michigan, and my mother wasnt in the hospital, I might take you up on coming to look for it. You would be my first Corvette meet and greet.