Convertible problems and repairs. Comments
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Joined: Oct 2023
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From: Middletown, New Jersey
Convertible problems and repairs. Comments
I have another question for the board. Please. On my C6 hunt I have encountered many convertibles for sale. Upon researching, wherever I could. I see comments about parts failure in the automatic tops. Also owners seem to have problems getting parts to fix these things from Chevrolet.
Can any of you comment on these automatic top failures and repairs to them? Its much appreciated. I think I could go either way, coupe or drop top. But if there are to many problems with converts, it would push me to hunt for a coupe. As the norm, BIG THANK YOU, I really am enjoying this forum.
Can any of you comment on these automatic top failures and repairs to them? Its much appreciated. I think I could go either way, coupe or drop top. But if there are to many problems with converts, it would push me to hunt for a coupe. As the norm, BIG THANK YOU, I really am enjoying this forum.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,741
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From: Missouri Ozark's
Hello Glen - I’ve never had any issues with my ragtop, but I know it’s only a matter of time. 
Flash is pretty much a GQ(garage queen) and lives a very sheltered life.
I'd say a coupe is the best way to go for longevity.
https://duckduckgo.com/?va=n&t=h_&q=...ilure&ia=about
Flash is pretty much a GQ(garage queen) and lives a very sheltered life.
I'd say a coupe is the best way to go for longevity.
https://duckduckgo.com/?va=n&t=h_&q=...ilure&ia=about
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
There is a fail point on the motor that moves the tonneau and top up and down, but it's available as aftermarket on Amazon. That said, I use my top almost daily and have been for years. It's still going strong.
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From: Middletown, New Jersey
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
I've never seen a post on a failure of the cables that move the top. What I have seen are posts about the elastic pulls that are supposed to pull the top tight so the tonneau doesn't hit it when it's going up or down. This isn't so much a failure as it is that GM used cheap material for these. They can be easily repaired to work better than new. There are quite a few posts about this.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 76
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From: Middletown, New Jersey
I've never seen a post on a failure of the cables that move the top. What I have seen are posts about the elastic pulls that are supposed to pull the top tight so the tonneau doesn't hit it when it's going up or down. This isn't so much a failure as it is that GM used cheap material for these. They can be easily repaired to work better than new. There are quite a few posts about this.
As a side note. I found these 2 rides. Hence my interest in convertible top problems. The Atomic Orange is a 2007 Regular C6. The white is a 2011 C6 Grand Sport.
Retired & lovin' it!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,475
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From: Jackson NJ
I have another question for the board. Please. On my C6 hunt I have encountered many convertibles for sale. Upon researching, wherever I could. I see comments about parts failure in the automatic tops. Also owners seem to have problems getting parts to fix these things from Chevrolet.
Can any of you comment on these automatic top failures and repairs to them? Its much appreciated. I think I could go either way, coupe or drop top. But if there are to many problems with converts, it would push me to hunt for a coupe. As the norm, BIG THANK YOU, I really am enjoying this forum.
Can any of you comment on these automatic top failures and repairs to them? Its much appreciated. I think I could go either way, coupe or drop top. But if there are to many problems with converts, it would push me to hunt for a coupe. As the norm, BIG THANK YOU, I really am enjoying this forum.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 76
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From: Middletown, New Jersey
Each to his own, but when I ordered my '05 vert (which I still have since new), I specifically ordered the manual top in order to avoid any potential problems with the automatic top. It's easy to put up & down (other then when moving) & if you have a choice, I'd recommend going with a manual top.
Understood, and frankly I would have done the same if ordering new. My 67 was like that, manual. All my other vettes were coupes. But when buying used, you dont have that luxury, you get what you get. Thanks for your comment.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
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From: Cypress TX
Each to his own, but when I ordered my '05 vert (which I still have since new), I specifically ordered the manual top in order to avoid any potential problems with the automatic top. It's easy to put up & down (other then when moving) & if you have a choice, I'd recommend going with a manual top.
As for the OP's question, I've had my convertible for a little over a year now, and the top is down 90% of the time. So three owners, 12 years and ~38K miles with no issues (knock on wood).
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,539
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From: new ulm mn
I am going through a problem right now. I have a garage queen 2007 that I bought new with 60k miles on it now. The pull down motor for the tonneau cover just failed. Brilliant design by GM, metal worm gear driving a plastic wheel inside of a plastic housing. That will last forever I'm sure. Anyway, I did find an aftermarket motor assembly as GM no longer has them. Supposed to get it this week. Hopefully will solve the problem. Otherwise, the top has been working flawlessly until now. I would not let that stop me from getting a convertible.
Last edited by loflite; Oct 11, 2023 at 05:20 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
I've had my vert for almost 8 years now, and it has almost 109k miles on it. My top has been up and down almost daily for this entire time.
Race Director
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From: Central MO
I've owned my Centennial GS vert for 8.5 years now. Nothing but routine maintenance so far. The top goes up and down most times I drive it; top down when I pull out, top back up when I return because it's best for the top to be up when not being driven for a while.
Last edited by BadAV; Oct 13, 2023 at 03:01 PM.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2017
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From: "Sweet Home" Alabama
Guess I am the "other " example type, I have a 2013 427, I am the 2nd owner, purchased in mid 2018 with under 10K miles, a true garage queen.
Around late June of this year the hydraulics went, it cost me well over $1000 for the repair. I first had the unit removed and rebuilt at https://www.tophydraulics.com/59-corvette-c6 at a cost of $600 + shipping.
The labor cost to remove and re-install was over $400
I had to sink another $300 to replace the Left Tonneau Cylinder, it failed when the rebuilt unit was first tested.
Total down time was 6 weeks, a power top can not be opened or closed manually.
Around late June of this year the hydraulics went, it cost me well over $1000 for the repair. I first had the unit removed and rebuilt at https://www.tophydraulics.com/59-corvette-c6 at a cost of $600 + shipping.
The labor cost to remove and re-install was over $400
I had to sink another $300 to replace the Left Tonneau Cylinder, it failed when the rebuilt unit was first tested.
Total down time was 6 weeks, a power top can not be opened or closed manually.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,859
Likes: 694
From: Lagrange KY
Curious if a powered top can be converted to a manually operated one? If I had a convertible C6 I think that would be my preference but doesn’t sound like many manual ones were produced. I always liked the manually operated one on my old C5. Never gave me any sort of problems.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Saint John's, Florida
Another issue is the tonneau cover hitting the top when going up or down. There are two elastic straps that keep tension on the top for clearance that can weaken over time. Here's a video about it....
If the cover still hits the top after repairing the straps then the issue is the hydraulic pump (as per the video)
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,768
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
Another issue is the tonneau cover hitting the top when going up or down. There are two elastic straps that keep tension on the top for clearance that can weaken over time. Here's a video about it.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8fNF62TbS8 If the cover still hits the top after repairing the straps then the issue is the hydraulic pump (as per the video)
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,046
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From: Central MO
Guess I am the "other " example type, I have a 2013 427, I am the 2nd owner, purchased in mid 2018 with under 10K miles, a true garage queen.
Around late June of this year the hydraulics went, it cost me well over $1000 for the repair. I first had the unit removed and rebuilt at https://www.tophydraulics.com/59-corvette-c6 at a cost of $600 + shipping.
The labor cost to remove and re-install was over $400
I had to sink another $300 to replace the Left Tonneau Cylinder, it failed when the rebuilt unit was first tested.
Total down time was 6 weeks, a power top can not be opened or closed manually.
Around late June of this year the hydraulics went, it cost me well over $1000 for the repair. I first had the unit removed and rebuilt at https://www.tophydraulics.com/59-corvette-c6 at a cost of $600 + shipping.
The labor cost to remove and re-install was over $400
I had to sink another $300 to replace the Left Tonneau Cylinder, it failed when the rebuilt unit was first tested.
Total down time was 6 weeks, a power top can not be opened or closed manually.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,405
Likes: 18
From: Danville IL
Ed, thanks for these comments.....last year one of my ropes(?) broke.Two dealers said NO and sent me to upholstery shops, and they both said NO. Guess I'll have to start a bunch of phone calls. Jim in Illinois.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,046
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From: Central MO
Edit: missed the "broke" part. There's a thread on the forum where somebody used a modified small bungee cord successfully.