Anyone else experiencing THIS top issue?

[Drago77]

Nutbutt and I have been back and forth on this- but are we the only two?

Our cars have had the tops replaced due to the infamous wear/rub marks. I immediately experienced severe wind noise and brought it back to the trim shop. They pointed to a rail/groove that attaches the top to the rear side of the frame (running down the back of the small side/rear window.) This rail had popped out of the groove/track. I watched the repairman pound it back into the groove. On the drive home, it came out again. I brought it back, 3 days later he said it was fixed. About a week later, during hwy driving, I noticed the whole side of my top "ballooning" out, as the rail had popped out and the top seperated from the frame. See pix below.

GM replaced the top again- advising the rail was ruined as it's supposed to "slide" into the groove and lock in place, not "push" into place-and it's all one piece with the top. Well, its happening again. See pics below- first is the day of discovery on the hwy- blowing open, second shows where to press. 3rd illustrates the "resting" gap, 4- pointing to the gap and another of the gap when the top is up, and 6, how it should look when snapped into place (notice the visible cable when popped out in pic #5)

Is anyone else experiencing this issue? For those with (and without) top replacements, please take a second to check this area on your car and see if, by pressing in on the outer edge of the top, where it meets the small rear window, is it's firmly attached, or if it "snaps" into the groove... this is trip #10 back to the service dept... I'm Fn' pi$$ed now!

[Miraclewhip]

OUCH.

well im GLAD im not. GL friend.

[Tstorm180]

Yes, i had a similar issue. My top was replaced and i had the same noticable road noise coming from the rear passenger window as well as serious wrinkling of the top after being retracted. The dealer fixed the road noise, but now there is an indentation in the roof just above the window. They need to send the car to the upholstery shop for the wrinkles but can't guarantee that it will be a permanent fix. I'm obviously not happy that i have tp bring the car back to the shop AGAIN, but worst of all is having to leave it for a couple of days at the upholserer. I'm beginnig to think that the wear marks weren't so bad.

[Wantconvertible]

Originally Posted by Tstorm180

Yes, i had a similar issue. My top was replaced and i had the same noticable road noise coming from the rear passenger window as well as serious wrinkling of the top after being retracted. The dealer fixed the road noise, but now there is an indentation in the roof just above the window. They need to send the car to the upholstery shop for the wrinkles but can't guarantee that it will be a permanent fix. I'm obviously not happy that i have tp bring the car back to the shop AGAIN, but worst of all is having to leave it for a couple of days at the upholserer. I'm beginnig to think that the wear marks weren't so bad.

I keep up with these treads,about these tops,Im trying all I can ,I do not want to get my top replaced
Placed weather strip on braces
Placed tape on braces
Placed a towel between bracees :( when lowerd
Dont lower the top toataly while cruzin:( just one hit back up after I lower it
this top shit is killin me

[Nutbutt]

I agree, If I knew what I know now I wouldn't have replaced the top. I waited almost 3 months to get it replaced and now its actually more unusable than before.
Also agree with leaving it at the trim shop. No exactly the greatest part of town, and the place was just broken into in the last 8 months. I have been taking pictures of the car before I leave it just in case it come back damaged.
I am upset but everyone seems to be trying to get this done right.

[Lightrider]

My top was replaced and I get the passeger side wind noise. I've driven at highway speeds with top up and checked my mirrors and did not see the 'puffing' like in your pics. I need to find a minute to go with my wife for a ride where I can spend some 'safe' time really looking at it while someone else drives.

I checked the fit when parked and its tight, very tight. I didn't try but it feel like I'd have to pull very hard to get the separation you show with your finger in it.

[Drago77]

Originally Posted by Lightrider

My top was replaced and I get the passeger side wind noise. I've driven at highway speeds with top up and checked my mirrors and did not see the 'puffing' like in your pics. I need to find a minute to go with my wife for a ride where I can spend some 'safe' time really looking at it while someone else drives.

I checked the fit when parked and its tight, very tight. I didn't try but it feel like I'd have to pull very hard to get the separation you show with your finger in it.

I'm hoping this is just an isolated incident then, and can be fixed. There was no pulling involved in my pic- I simply put the top down, stopped half way to exam, and that's what I got. If yours is tight, then your fine

[WhiteCamaroSS]

Thanks... will keep an eye out for this... I had the car 3 weeks, but honestly only logged in 50 miles... been raining in the northest so its in the garage... but appreciate the info... I hope it does not happen on my camaro.. but who knows..

[Blitz]

All I know, is I'm not having my top replaced until they learn how to fix it. Looks like you're just trading one problem with the top for another. Sucks big time that it seems like you are the beta tester for all of us.

[CooG]

Originally Posted by Blitz

All I know, is I'm not having my top replaced until they learn how to fix it. Looks like you're just trading one problem with the top for another. Sucks big time that it seems like you are the beta tester for all of us.

Same here. Two little white spots on my tops seem to be nothing compared to all the problems with a total top replacement.

[Nutbutt]

I'm feeling like a lab rat right about now !

[ambientweather]

Holy f drago, that sucks. Hang in there, man, I feel for you.

[RS/4Life]

Thats why i dont like verts or sun roofs, they are nothing but problems.

[Nutbutt]

Verts and sunroofs can be trouble free ! This is a problem that can be fixed, it just seems like GM is not really taking the time to fully write up the fix for the dealerships and trim shops to fix properly.
Even a Coupe has a lot of stuff that can go wrong, I know I have one. I wouldn't give up all the great stuff my 2011 vert has over my 69 vert !
Love the car, just hate the top problem.

[Dr_Doom]

Originally Posted by Blitz

All I know, is I'm not having my top replaced until they learn how to fix it. Looks like you're just trading one problem with the top for another. Sucks big time that it seems like you are the beta tester for all of us.

That makes 2 of us and I totally agree. I'm hanging onto my original top until I see several satisfied vert owers post about their experience. One of the deciding factors for me in buying the convertible was how quite it was with the top up while driving compared to other converitbles I have rode in.

[ambientweather]

The tape fix did fix my issue. The mechanic explained what he did and I am very satisfied.

[skinman]

Dude, that bites. I've got 11,000 miles on our Vert, and 2 rub marks is all I have to complain about. Hate you are having so much trouble. Good luck getting it right...

[Drago77]

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

Brought it back today. Svc Rep tried giving me crap about repeatedly fixing my car. After a minor eruption on my part, he looked at the top and took it in. Dunno what's gonna happen now, said he's gonna call.GM Tech tomorrow for direction. He also asked if id concider lemon lawing the car

[tonytahoe]

Sorry you guys are having these problems with your tops. I hope I am not going to see these problems in the near future with my car. I only have 1200 miles on my car.I was at a local dealer last week for the AC reprogram.I did ask the service rep if there were any re-calls or advisories regarding the top.She said she had heard nothing from GM. I have been checking for wear marks on my car's top when I put the top back up after a drive but do not see anything yet.I really HATE that tonneau cover!! But that is another thread altogether!!

[Nutbutt]

Honestly, I think the TSBs have worked to fix the problem with the rub marks. However I don't think the people doing the top replacement understand the instructions of how to install the top correctly. I have had the top down for a couple days and there are not rub marks. I just can't put up the top without the top coming out of the anchors on the top of the rear side windows. I am hopeful that this next visit to the dealership will be the last for this problem.

[Drago77]

I am absolutely LIVID right now! I was told by my service Rep that GM TACH informed them since the top was not actively leaking, they would not do any further repairs as, and I quote " its not a factory installed top, so its never going to be as perfect as a new top." Further more, while my car was in for the last top install and rear window motor replacement, the rear seat back (driver side) was pulled forward away from the trunk, exposing the white paint. I informed them of this the following week when I brought it back in (yesterday) their reply- the rear seat back is torn, which was probably caused when the stereo was installed, so they wont cover it. Um- the stereo was installed at the JL Audio factory 3+ months ago- this happened last week! Not only has the stereo not been messed with since install (which should be evident by any dust on the box, etc) but no one can sit behind me in that side, due to my driving position, so there's no feasible way for it to get damaged by anyone other than GM or the trim shop! I am SOOOOOO pissed. They forwarded me to the managers voice mail. That was a nice touch.

I've opened a complaint with GM Customer Service- this better get resolved!

Congratulations Chevy, after my 5th GM product, 3 of which were Camaros- I WILL NEVER BUY A GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE AGAIN!!!!

What's even worse is, this was my first and only new car I've ever had. I saved for 4 years in anticipation of this thing. Unbelievable!

[Drago77]

Latest update: Gm Cust Svc said the dealer says the tops "within spec" so they won't fix anything until there's signs of water leakage... and according to the dealership- the seat is myfault from the stereo install in May... so, according to them, im S.O.L. speechless.

[Wantconvertible]

Originally Posted by Drago77

I am absolutely LIVID right now! I was told by my service Rep that GM TACH informed them since the top was not actively leaking, they would not do any further repairs as, and I quote " its not a factory installed top, so its never going to be as perfect as a new top." Further more, while my car was in for the last top install and rear window motor replacement, the rear seat back (driver side) was pulled forward away from the trunk, exposing the white paint. I informed them of this the following week when I brought it back in (yesterday) their reply- the rear seat back is torn, which was probably caused when the stereo was installed, so they wont cover it. Um- the stereo was installed at the JL Audio factory 3+ months ago- this happened last week! Not only has the stereo not been messed with since install (which should be evident by any dust on the box, etc) but no one can sit behind me in that side, due to my driving position, so there's no feasible way for it to get damaged by anyone other than GM or the trim shop! I am SOOOOOO pissed. They forwarded me to the managers voice mail. That was a nice touch.

I've opened a complaint with GM Customer Service- this better get resolved!

Congratulations Chevy, after my 5th GM product, 3 of which were Camaros- I WILL NEVER BUY A GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE AGAIN!!!!

What's even worse is, this was my first and only new car I've ever had. I saved for 4 years in anticipation of this thing. Unbelievable!

This is my 1st gm car and if I keep it ,it will be my last ,My wife has a toyota and had it for 7 years ,we just put on the 1st set of brakes on ,My new camaro ,my wife can hear me coming, the brakes are so loud
And I also saved and planned for this car for 2 years

[OrangeVert]

Wife and I bought a 2005 Avalon new, has been an outstanding car for 105k miles. We also bought a 2008 Camry we only kept for a year because imho it was made so cheaply. I had owned a 1990 Camry and it was way more solid, especially the interior - and closer to Lexus solidness. Yet people still buy them, I think because of their reputation - just like Mercedes, which I also used to lease/buy and won't even consider now. What really turns me off are the cheap quality interiors.

The Camaro does not have the greatest quality plastics either - but at least they try. The door handles are "chromed" and I love the orange, especially when the sun hits it! So that works for me!

[Drago77]

There's finally some good news coming in! I went in and met face-to-face with the service manager today, after talking in person, we seem to come to an agreeement that there needs to be a resolution to this top issue. He's going to contact the regional rep and see if theres a resolve for the issue through GM, or what other options are avaliable, likewise he's going to fix my seat.

I wish I would have done this in the first place, but my schedule didn't permit. Fingers crossed, but I seem to be making some progress!