soft top experts
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: monroeville,nj,usa
soft top experts
I posted this on the C3 Forum as well. I had my soft top replaced last year and the guy who did it made it too tight to easily clamp it down. I have to pull the top forward with considerable effort to engage the pins. I saw in the assembly manual where you can slide the header forward to correct this problem. I found two clamping screws under the weather strip and loosened them but the header isn't moving (I have the header trim panel off). Does anyone know about this adjustment and can help? Maybe there are more screws to loosen? The rear pins are new so they have a good locking surface, it's just that the force of pulling the top forward is enough to pop them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,025
Likes: 12
From: Pleasant Grove AL
Re: soft top experts (karl71conv)
If you fiddle with the frame adjustment, you may loose the fit at your windows. Assuming your frame was properly fitted prior to the top being installed, you don't really want to do this. The guy who installed your top can PROBABLY loosen the fabric in the front and let out a 1/4" or so and refasten. The weatherstrip should cover the staple holes. I'd try that before I started fooling with the frame adjustment. Even if you move the frame, if the fabrc is too tight it's not going to strech as far as you want and something might let go.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 116
From: AUSTIN Tx
Re: soft top experts (karl71conv)
The top can probably be loosend up with the application of heat while the top is clamped down. This is the way Al Knoch's installers make sure there are no wrinkles in the tops, by installing tight and then stretching the top to remove any wrinkles. A couple of hot air blowers and a little banging on the top with your palm will do wonders to relax the top. A good top installer should be able to relax the fit without doing any major work.
:seeya
:seeya
