Convertible Top Adjustment
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: McDonald PA
Convertible Top Adjustment
I am having trouble with a clearance issue on my convertible top. The area where the canvas material wraps around the frame of the top comes into contact with the toneau cover.
I know about the service bulletin for the fifth bow paint wear problem and have had the seal replaced approximately 1-1/2 years ago.
At that time, I also made the adjustment that increases the clearance directly behind the seats. This adjusting point is a rod end (ball and socket) arrangement at the end of a bent round bar and is part of the top itself. Adjusting this so that the bar becomes shorter increases the clearance directly behind the seats but decreases the clearance near the side windows. At the time I had the seal replaced and made this adjustment, the clearance was fine all around the base of the top.
Now I have noticed a new clearance problem just behind the side window (on the driver’s side only). The adjustment point for this condition is accessible when the top is down and is beneath a small plastic hinged door just to the rear of the side window. It is a stop screw and locknut arrangement. Increasing the clearance in this area decreases the clearance behind the seats.
My problem is that I am ‘out if adjustment’ at the rod end point and the bar is as short as it can be and there is still not enough clearance near the side windows. I do not understand what has changed in the last 1-1/2 years (15,000 miles) that now results in this problem.
Are there other adjustments that I do not know about? I do know about the adjustment midway along the side window but it does not seem that making an adjustment here will help my problem. Does anyone else need to periodically make top adjustments?
I know about the service bulletin for the fifth bow paint wear problem and have had the seal replaced approximately 1-1/2 years ago.
At that time, I also made the adjustment that increases the clearance directly behind the seats. This adjusting point is a rod end (ball and socket) arrangement at the end of a bent round bar and is part of the top itself. Adjusting this so that the bar becomes shorter increases the clearance directly behind the seats but decreases the clearance near the side windows. At the time I had the seal replaced and made this adjustment, the clearance was fine all around the base of the top.
Now I have noticed a new clearance problem just behind the side window (on the driver’s side only). The adjustment point for this condition is accessible when the top is down and is beneath a small plastic hinged door just to the rear of the side window. It is a stop screw and locknut arrangement. Increasing the clearance in this area decreases the clearance behind the seats.
My problem is that I am ‘out if adjustment’ at the rod end point and the bar is as short as it can be and there is still not enough clearance near the side windows. I do not understand what has changed in the last 1-1/2 years (15,000 miles) that now results in this problem.
Are there other adjustments that I do not know about? I do know about the adjustment midway along the side window but it does not seem that making an adjustment here will help my problem. Does anyone else need to periodically make top adjustments?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,409
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky basketball is life the rest is just details
Re: Convertible Top Adjustment (coolvette1)
Welcome to the forum! :seeya
I've never had any trouble with mine, so I don't know how to help...sorry :bb Hopefully a more experienced member will chime in. :cheers:
I've never had any trouble with mine, so I don't know how to help...sorry :bb Hopefully a more experienced member will chime in. :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
Re: Convertible Top Adjustment (coolvette1)
Welcome to the Forum! Go to http://www.vetteguru.com for all the info you you are seeking. :)
