Vert Question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 929
Likes: 1
From: Norman Oklahoma
Vert Question
Its my understanding that GM changed the design of the weatherstrip thats on the bottom of the convertible top, to keep the top from rubbing on paint. How can you tell if you have the old or new style ??
Thanks
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 407
Likes: 91
From: Chandler Arizona
The earlier version of the weatherstrip was hollow and compressed when the top was latched down. The updated version is solid and does not compress nearly as easy. It is very easy to replace it. There are two bolts on each end that secure the ends the rest fits into a channel on the top. I don't remember when the change occured. My 99 had the old style. All verts have the rub strip in the tonneau cover this is where the top seals to, it does not stop paint rub through. 
Tom
Tom
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 885
Likes: 0
From: The Woodlands Texas
Ditto my 2001 but you are all missing one small detail - the top will rub off paint into the fiberglass gelcoat of rear deck lid - as mine did. Alignment and fabric sag both contribute to the problem. Also, the weatherstrip compresses and allows the fabric of the top to make contact and voila! rubbing off paint.
GM never has and never will make a decent weatherstrip so my adviced is to change out the top weatherstrip every 2 years to avoid the problem.
GM never has and never will make a decent weatherstrip so my adviced is to change out the top weatherstrip every 2 years to avoid the problem.
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Advanced
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Eagan MN
I found a good picture of what I think you all are referring to...
Is it letter E (convertible top rear bow) at the Hyperlink below?
http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=1.6047
Anyone else know where to get these "strips" for a good price?
Is it letter E (convertible top rear bow) at the Hyperlink below?
http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=1.6047
Anyone else know where to get these "strips" for a good price?
Last edited by theesportscar; Aug 24, 2006 at 10:23 PM.
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
The problem affected 1998-2001 models. I have a 2001 and I had the problem with the top material wearing into the paint. I can verify the cause as I could see the canvas material contacting the paint where the paint was wearing. GM issued a TSB 02-08-111-01 with a new part number (10319827) for the weatherstrip - cost me $110 for the new design from a dealer and I installed it myself following the instructions in the GM Service Bulletin which was issued in early 2002, I believe. It fixed the problem - no more contact; no more wear. There is still plenty of clearance between the top material and the cover (2 years later) so, the redesign seems to fix this specific issue. IMHO, there should be no need to replace the weatherstripping every 2 years, at to fix this problem. See this link http://www.rivercitiescorvetteclub.com/convpnt.jpg which has a portion of the TSB. Sorry I couldn't find a link to the entire TSB with instructions for replacement.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 1
From: Kingsport TN
Here's the link to this TSB from the action center:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/....php?qstId=214
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/....php?qstId=214