Here's the story...I bought a used clear targa off the internet and received it today. I removed my black top and went to put the clear one on when to my dismay, IT WON'T FIT! My black one fits perfect, slides in and out with absolutely no hesitation. If finally wedged this one in after trimming the weatherstripping and forcing it in. Took about a half hour. Even after I got it locked into place it isn't even lining up correctly on the passenger side where it meets the top of the windshield. Is this common? Is there a fix? Thanks in advance for everyone's help!

 

You should NOT have to nor should you trim any weatherstripping !

There are a lot of adjustments possible, here they are:

Corvette Targa Top Adjustment

Roof Lift Off Panel Adjustment

1. Perform one or more of the following adjustment procedures to properly align the roof lift off panel.
2. To adjust the front striker for up/down roof alignment perform the following steps:
• Remove the windshield upper garnish molding. Refer to Windshield Upper Garnish Molding Replacement in the Interior Trim.
1. For major up/down roof adjustment, loosen the striker bolts and reposition the latch striker up or down.
2. For minor up or down roof adjustment loosen the striker outboard bolt and slightly loosen the inboard bolt, pivot the striker on the inboard bolt in 2 mm (0.08 in) increments up or down. Notice – Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
3. Tighten the striker bolts. Tighten the roof latch handle striker bolts to 10 N*m (89 lb in).
4. When the striker is properly adjusted, the handle will snap closed.
5. Install the windshield upper garnish molding. Refer to Windshield Upper Garnish Molding Replacement in Interior Trim.

3. To adjust the front latch handle forward or rearward perform the following steps:
• Loosen the latch handle bolts.
• Position the latch handle forward or rearward. Maintain a minimum of 2 mm (0.08 in) clearance between latch handle and the latch striker to avoid squeaks and rattles.
• Assure the latch handle base is parallel to the striker to provide clearance to the sunshade mirror door.
• Tighten the latch handle bolts. Tighten the roof latch handle bolts to 13 N*m (10 lb ft).

4. For major rear latch adjustment, adjust the rear latch striker performance the following steps:
• Remove the roof lift off panel.
• Remove the roof bow center interior trim panel. Refer to Trim Panel Replacement – Rear Roof Bow in Interior Trim.
• Loosen the rear latch striker attaching bolts.
• Adjust the position of the latch striker forward or rearward for major adjustment.
• Tighten the striker attaching bolts. Tighten the roof rear striker bolts to 10 N*m (89 lb in).
• Install the roof lift off panel.

5. For minor rear latch adjustment, adjust the latch handle hook one turn at a time to achieve moderate pressure to the latch as follows:
• Remove the roof lift off panel.
• Loosen the set screw locking the latch hook.
• Turn the hook in to tighten or out to loosen.
• Tighten the set screw.
• Install the roof panel.

6. To adjust the rear locator, perform the following steps:
• With the roof installed on the vehicle, loosen the locator mounting bolts.
• Reposition the locator.
• Tighten the mounting bolts. Tighten the roof rear locator to locator bracket bolts to 10 N*m (89 lb in).

 

Thanks for the advice I will try it now!!! Thinking back the trimming was a bad idea . I was not all there when trying to figure this out! I'll let you know if this works.

 

Can you send it back?

 

I had the same issue, after messing with the top for hours, I decided to have a Chevy Dealer look at it

But they only charged me 60 bucks and it fits perfect now

 

Perfect that bicycle seat is perfect..where can you get one of them

 

Big mistake trimming the weatherstripping. The targa top attachment points are adjustable - doing so should allow the top to fit as good as the one you already have. A competent body shop can do the work for you.

 

 

I bought a used glass top as well. The shop I bought it from took about 10-15 mins to adjust it and it fit perfect!

 

Dumb question...if I get the targa top attachment points adjusted, won't that effect the way my other top fits? In reading the excerpt from the service manual the Oldvetter posted it sounds like the major adjustments come from on the car, not the top.

Also, does anyone have any recommendations on where to take this in Cleveland, OH? I have called several (5) local GM certified service dealerships and no one has any clue as to what I am talking about. One service guy didn't even know what a targa top was! They all just say "bring it in." We all know that means big $$$. I am still relatively new to my C5 and I can't seem to figure out how to adjust this darn thing. Thanks again for the help!

 

you can make adjustments....just take your time

 

Ya, no how much is the weather stripping going to cost you.

 

I don't know if this will help but here it goes....

I have two tops for my coupe. I wanted to see how the painted one look but it didn't fit. After a few minutes of looking and feeling for the problem I found it, there is a soft piece of metal in the rubber by the back corner. It had been bent all I had to do was straighten it with my hand then the top fit perfect.

 

Yeah, I felt that metal too and bent it back to straight. It helped but still doesn't fit. As far as the weather stripping goes, I just (stupidly) trimmed the ends just to make it flush like my other top. The stripping stuck out like a half inch, and was in the way. I since have glued the tip back on so you can't even tell it was done, really isn't as earth shattering as it sounded.

It seems like the real issues are coming from the back of the top, where you slide it in first. Haven't had any time to mess with it again, we'll see what happens.

 

just take your time....there are tons of adjustments. when I got the new one for my girlfriends car it took me awhile to get it to fit. When I did get it it was so damn tight she couldn't move the latches to open it. I adjusted it several more times and now it is tight but she can open the latches. I could do more but she said it was ok. So even after you get it on there you will have some tweaking to do. Just stick with it

 

I would consider replacing the weather strip you "trimmed" before doing anything with the top. If not, then it's possible that the strip may soon begin to fray and will cause the top to leak. Then you'll have to replace the weather strip and have to adjust the top again.