Going Topless ...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Hallandale Beach, FL
St. Jude Donor '06 / '15
Going Topless ...
After a couple months, the dealer finally called and said my new top is in. (I had the delaminating problem posted on so many other threads). As I learned on the Forum, the top is not painted, so it's going into the body shop for painting. Once it's complete, he is going to call me to have it installed. Said they need the car all day! 
Turns out they need to make adjustments of some kind to make sure the windows and everything seal. But I have 2-tops - the clear and the painted. So they will need to make sure they both line up.
Does anyone know what "adjustments" need to be made? Is there any risk that the changes they make will mess-up the seal on the other factory acrylic top that I have now? Or are the adjustments made just to the new top itself?
I asked it there would be a problem matching the paint, but he said "it is computer matched and there is no concern".
Also, I am concerned about leaving the car at the shop all day. I keep is really clean and polished ... I don't know what to expect. I plan to ask the service manager to make sure it is handled with TLC. Anyone have experience with this routine?
Turns out they need to make adjustments of some kind to make sure the windows and everything seal. But I have 2-tops - the clear and the painted. So they will need to make sure they both line up.Does anyone know what "adjustments" need to be made? Is there any risk that the changes they make will mess-up the seal on the other factory acrylic top that I have now? Or are the adjustments made just to the new top itself?
I asked it there would be a problem matching the paint, but he said "it is computer matched and there is no concern".
Also, I am concerned about leaving the car at the shop all day. I keep is really clean and polished ... I don't know what to expect. I plan to ask the service manager to make sure it is handled with TLC. Anyone have experience with this routine?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Hallandale Beach, FL
St. Jude Donor '06 / '15
Originally Posted by NVR LAT
Glad to hear your top finally made it. I wish I had the answers to your questions, but you know I don't.
Still on for some stylin' Sunday (weather permitting)?
Still on for some stylin' Sunday (weather permitting)?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,921
Likes: 46
From: So Cal
I've put off even going to the dealer for my top replacement for all the reasons your worried about. I feel for you buddy, I'm in your exact shoes. Lets all pray to the chevy gods for careful monkeys 
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,837
Likes: 4
I'm not sure I believe this. There is a procedure to re-index the windows, but it takes 6 seconds (12 if you do them individually) and is done from the driver's seat. It's in the owner's manual.
As far as I know, the tops are meant to be interchangable and no fitting is required. I know that the transparent tops are sold as accessories and I haven't heard anything about fitting or special installation being required.
Some GM cars (like Camaros with T-tops) have brackets on the car that can be adjusted for correct seal and minimum wind noise, but that's to make up for manufacturing variations in the car, not the top and wouldn't need adjusting if a top panel is replaced.
As far as I know, the tops are meant to be interchangable and no fitting is required. I know that the transparent tops are sold as accessories and I haven't heard anything about fitting or special installation being required.
Some GM cars (like Camaros with T-tops) have brackets on the car that can be adjusted for correct seal and minimum wind noise, but that's to make up for manufacturing variations in the car, not the top and wouldn't need adjusting if a top panel is replaced.
Last edited by Buffy; Nov 18, 2005 at 09:46 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Hallandale Beach, FL
St. Jude Donor '06 / '15
Hmmm... I am getting conflicting answers... I tend to agree with buffy because when I look at the top, I see adjustments for the latches. The rear latch appears to have a nut that is used to adjust how mush force is used to "pull down" on the rear seal. But I still don't see why they would need the car all day, or why they need to make sure the other top is with the car so they can adjust that one too. The implication is that the adjustment is on the car and not the top, which doesn't make sense.I expected to drive up, get my new top, and drive away. I just don't get why I need to leave it there all day.
Has anyone else been back to the dealer to replace a brand new top?
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
having had the top replaced (guess what the new one is creaking already) I can tell you there are a couple adjustments. First has to do with the rubber surround on each end. Needs to seal for water protection. They usually use silicone to attach it and has a couple screws. Also there are two minor areas where the front handles are that are used to adjust the handles and make sure it buttons down correctly.
Actually had a very similar deal when purchasing a lexan top for C5, but did it myself in less than 1 hour. They probably want the extra time to polish or blend the paint if necessary. Make sure they replace the headliner also, or you might see some sagging later due to reuse. I am not happy with my replacement and seems obvious that a return trip and another top is necessary. Car built Aug 05 and replaced one month later (they believe Fl sun made damaged top more noticable so quickly). Currently two months later, same sun, and less than 300 addtl miles on car.
Actually had a very similar deal when purchasing a lexan top for C5, but did it myself in less than 1 hour. They probably want the extra time to polish or blend the paint if necessary. Make sure they replace the headliner also, or you might see some sagging later due to reuse. I am not happy with my replacement and seems obvious that a return trip and another top is necessary. Car built Aug 05 and replaced one month later (they believe Fl sun made damaged top more noticable so quickly). Currently two months later, same sun, and less than 300 addtl miles on car.
Last edited by Killrwheels@Autogeek; Nov 18, 2005 at 07:54 PM.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Hallandale Beach, FL
St. Jude Donor '06 / '15
Originally Posted by Killrwheels@Autogeek
having had the top replaced (guess what the new one is creaking already) I can tell you there are a couple adjustments. First has to do with the rubber surround on each end. Needs to seal for water protection. They usually use silicone to attach it and has a couple screws. Also there are two minor areas where the front handles are that are used to adjust the handles and make sure it buttons down correctly.
Actually had a very similar deal when purchasing a lexan top for C5, but did it myself in less than 1 hour. They probably want the extra time to polish or blend the paint if necessary. Make sure they replace the headliner also, or you might see some sagging later due to reuse. I am not happy with my replacement and seems obvious that a return trip and another top is necessary. Car built Aug 05 and replaced one month later (they believe Fl sun made damaged top more noticable so quickly). Currently two months later, same sun, and less than 300 addtl miles on car.
Actually had a very similar deal when purchasing a lexan top for C5, but did it myself in less than 1 hour. They probably want the extra time to polish or blend the paint if necessary. Make sure they replace the headliner also, or you might see some sagging later due to reuse. I am not happy with my replacement and seems obvious that a return trip and another top is necessary. Car built Aug 05 and replaced one month later (they believe Fl sun made damaged top more noticable so quickly). Currently two months later, same sun, and less than 300 addtl miles on car.
I asked the dealer if the top was shipped with a new headliner and he didn't know. I guess I'll find out when I get there.
I also asked him if they actually fixed the problem yet, and he said he hasn't seen any TSB's so probably not. I guess they are counting on the luck of the draw.
All of the adjustments you mentioned are on the top itself, and not the car. So I still don't know why there is a concern that the original acrylic top - the one that didn't delaminate - will need to be with the car when they make adjustments.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Hallandale Beach, FL
St. Jude Donor '06 / '15
Originally Posted by NVR LAT
Where are you taking it...Palm Bay or Rathman? I've had my car at Palm Bay and I wouldn't recommend taking it there.
(Hey i am going to email you ... standby)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,457
Likes: 144
From: NC
I had mine done recently. Of course, the paint job came back loaded with swirl marks in the paint on the top. My car is black, they show up to me like a sore thumb. Took it back to them. Same deal. Many might not even notice but for someone like me who has been making a solid effort to keep the paint beautiful, I am less than satisfied. The adjustments do in fact need to be made to the latches on the top itself. No big deal there. They kept mine overnight and didn't know about having to park it in reverse and killed the battery which killed any kind of table in the computer for learning. I lost .3 in the 8th mile at the track. Went through GM about the top and the swirl marks and they finally got back to me yesterday to tell me unless I want to take it back to the repairing dealer for a third time, I am stuck with it. Needless to say, I am going to be eating the bill to get someone I trust to do it right. Sorry to be so down on it but these are the facts. At least the damn top isn't making those creaking noises any more.