Top Replacement problem - how tight is it supposed to be ?

[greencab82]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of replacing my top with a new vinyl one from Convertible Specialties.

After installing rear cable OK and fastened the front pocket with the front rail the top seems very tight, and I wonder how much force I may use to close the top. As photos show; when I close the top with as much force I feel comfortable using, it still doesn't come all the way to locking position.

There seem to be alot of tension and alot of stretching needed in order to close properly.

If I detach the front end of the new top and then close the frame, and just lay the front pocket on top of the closet frame the new top stops some 2-3 inches from the front end of the frame.

The rear end looks OK and it fits nicely at the rear windows.

Can you please give me some advice on this, I'm afraid to use too much force closing the top and destroy something...

See pics to get a better picture...

Best,

Vidar

...this is the gap I have in front when I push down as much as I think I can

P1010019.JPG (389.05 KiB) Viewed 4793 times

[Briano1234]

First off how long did you cut your side cables too short and that can cause a problem.
Second how hot is it? The vinyl should be at 70 degrees to stretch...
Third, there is no pic of your back cable, as from the middle pic your window frame doesn't match to the dotted lines.
Fourth, did you lubricate all pivot points?

Trying to stretch a top when the vinly is cold won't get it. There is also a pucker stretch on the window frame that shouldn't be there almost line the fabric isn't square to the frame.

[greencab82]

OK, the temperature in my garage is currently in the 50's, so that may account for some of my problem.

Side cables are not attatched yet, And I still havent fastened the side flaps at the side windows
but rear cable is where it should be, I believe.

The dotted lines for the rear window is located quite symmetrically I think but I'll check

Did lubricate the heck out of the pivot points from wd40 up.

What do you think about cutting out an oval shape well within the boundaries of the rear window
to get some more play foreward ?

What I should do first is heat up the garage into the seventies.

Thanks for your input an good advice.

Cheers!

Vidar

[greencab82]

Actually, the temperature is in the 50's only when I'm in there, with heaters on.
When the old Rabbit sits there alone it's down to the mid-30's, just above
freezing, so that's definitly an issue...

Living and learning. Thanks again,

Vidar

[Briano1234]

Do not cut the rear window out until you have the top closed.......

In the general section you section you will see a write-up that i did on how to replace your top...

[greencab82]

Hi, just a delayed update: Temperature was the issue. Thanks for the tip. Heated up the car and garage good and long and voila!

So, the lesson is; Don't do this in your unheated garage mid-winter...

Cheers!

[Briano1234]

Hi, just a delayed update: Temperature was the issue. Thanks for the tip. Heated up the car and garage good and long and voila!

So, the lesson is; Don't do this in your unheated garage mid-winter...

Cheers!

I have 2 1000w halogen lights that I turn on, they take it up to 70 degrees in no time.