Convertible Top Lowering Question - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

SSCAMAROGUY · 02-09-2012, 02:42 PM

Hi folks, I was just wondering if everyone retracts the locking mechanism handle prior to lowering the roof.

I'm concerned that doing that interupts the smooth operation of the lowering process as you have to unlock the handle, then retract/lower the roof an inch or two before turning the handle back to the lock position to make it flush with the windshield header again. Does this put undue stress on the roof over and above just unlocking and lowering with no additional steps ?

Will leaving the handle open when fully lowered damage the fabric top over time?

Raising the roof again then requires you to stop the top a few inches from the full closed position to release the handle prior to locking it to the windshield header.

Thoughts anyone?

SCullen · 02-09-2012, 02:52 PM

I never do, I just leave it twisted when I lower it.

thallman91 · 02-09-2012, 03:46 PM

I turn it back into its "hole" every time. Something about it just seems like it needs to be "home" when I put the top down.

woodj · 02-09-2012, 04:07 PM

I always leave mine in the unlocked position when I'm lowering it. In the manual it doesn't tell you to rotate it back so I leave it where it is.

GnyaTek · 02-09-2012, 09:14 PM

Right hand on locking handle, left hand on the button ... I open and close the top in a single motion without stopping and return the handle to locked position while top is moving.

Not difficult at all.

vanlieremead · 02-09-2012, 10:36 PM

I lave it twisted unlocked. Never had an issue.

EM1/SS · 02-10-2012, 09:32 AM

I leave mine in the unlock position and I've never had a problem.

78RS_to_112SS · 02-10-2012, 09:35 AM

I was not sure how to do it so I do the two hand non stop thing also and put it back in lock position...

dodojoe · 02-10-2012, 10:29 AM

I just unlock and push the top up a few inches, enough for the locking mechanism to clear and seat it back into the lock position, then finish lowering the top. When I close the top, I bring it all the way up till it hits the frame, and then push the top up a couple of inches and open the lock to finish the process.

Baba · 02-10-2012, 01:54 PM

Owner's manual states to return handle to locked position prior to fully lowering top.

TUCUNDUVA · 03-02-2013, 04:34 PM

HI FRIEND. I HAVE A V6 CONVERTIBLE 2012 45TH (8.000 miles) I HAVE FOLLOW THE MANUAL TO OPEN DE TOP (BEFORE IT WORKED NORMAL). BUT IN THE DISPLAY SHOW "LAUNCHED TOP". WHEN I PULL TO RAISED THE TOP I HEAR THE MOTOR, AFTER IT STOPS TO WORK. I TRY AGAIN TO LOWER THE TOP AND DOESNT WORK. HAVE YOU A TIP FOR ME?

THANK YOU. ARI

jkupa10 · 03-02-2013, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baba

Owner's manual states to return handle to locked position prior to fully lowering top.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GnyaTek

Right hand on locking handle, left hand on the button ... I open and close the top in a single motion without stopping and return the handle to locked position while top is moving.

Not difficult at all.

And the reverse when putting it up, reach up with your right hand when the top is about 6" away and unlatch. Then your hand is there and ready to re-latch. Not hard.

Calikenn · 03-02-2013, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GnyaTek

Right hand on locking handle, left hand on the button ... I open and close the top in a single motion without stopping and return the handle to locked position while top is moving.

Not difficult at all.

^^^^This!

Angrybird 12 · 03-02-2013, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodj

I always leave mine in the unlocked position when I'm lowering it. In the manual it doesn't tell you to rotate it back so I leave it where it is.

Yes the manual does.
Page 2-20 in the 2012 manual:

Quote:

7. Release the convertible top front latch, located above the inside rearview mirror, by pulling down and turning it clockwise.
8. Return the convertible top front latch to the closed position.

02-09-2012, 02:42 PM	#1
SSCAMAROGUY 2012 45th Anniv. 2SS Conv Drives: 2012 45th Anniv. SS Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Nevada Posts: 16	Convertible Top Lowering Question Hi folks, I was just wondering if everyone retracts the locking mechanism handle prior to lowering the roof. I'm concerned that doing that interupts the smooth operation of the lowering process as you have to unlock the handle, then retract/lower the roof an inch or two before turning the handle back to the lock position to make it flush with the windshield header again. Does this put undue stress on the roof over and above just unlocking and lowering with no additional steps ? Will leaving the handle open when fully lowered damage the fabric top over time? Raising the roof again then requires you to stop the top a few inches from the full closed position to release the handle prior to locking it to the windshield header. Thoughts anyone? __________________ 2012 SS/RS Convertible

02-09-2012, 02:52 PM	#2
SCullen Converts Oxygen to CO2 Drives: 2016 Black SS Convertable Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Keller, Texas Posts: 170	I never do, I just leave it twisted when I lower it. __________________ 2016 Black 2SS Vert A8 MRC NPP

02-09-2012, 03:46 PM	#3
thallman91 Drives: 2011 2SS/RS VR Vert! Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: League City, TX Posts: 299	I turn it back into its "hole" every time. Something about it just seems like it needs to be "home" when I put the top down. __________________ 2011 Victory Red Convertible - 2SS/RS Completed Mods: Roto-Fab CAI, Side vents, SOLO Cat-Back and High Flow Cats, VR Painted Engine Cover, ZL1 GFX, Hot Wheels Badging and Sills, HWSE Grill, HWSE 20" Wheels *Considering Mods:* Backup Camera and internal screen Fedorov for President! Ovechkin for Vice!

02-09-2012, 04:07 PM	#4
woodj Drives: 2SS/RS RJT Vert Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Madison, AL Posts: 658 View My Garage	I always leave mine in the unlocked position when I'm lowering it. In the manual it doesn't tell you to rotate it back so I leave it where it is. __________________ K&N Typhoon CAI, Flowmaster Outlaw axle backs, Vertini 20" Wheels, Sparks Restorations SS Emblems, GM Wind Restrictor, Splash Guards

02-10-2012, 09:32 AM	#7
EM1/SS Drives: 11 2SS/RS M6 vert Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NSB, FL Posts: 705	I leave mine in the unlock position and I've never had a problem. __________________ LSA supercharger, Borla S-Type cat back, BMR/ Pedders Suspension, Kooks stepped LT's, GM 3.91, and RDP tune.

02-09-2012, 09:14 PM	#5
GnyaTek Drives: 2011 SIM 2SS/RS Vert Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Middle TN Posts: 1,128	Right hand on locking handle, left hand on the button ... I open and close the top in a single motion without stopping and return the handle to locked position while top is moving. Not difficult at all.

02-09-2012, 10:36 PM	#6
vanlieremead Chris Drives: 2011 2SS RS Jewel Red 6.2L Vert Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Cave Creek, AZ Posts: 178 View My Garage	I lave it twisted unlocked. Never had an issue.

02-10-2012, 09:35 AM	#8
78RS_to_112SS Finally back in a Camaro Drives: was 1978 RS, NOW 2011 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: NORTHERN, Ontario Posts: 208 View My Garage	I was not sure how to do it so I do the two hand non stop thing also and put it back in lock position... __________________ It all started with a "78 RS and now, after WAITING a quarter century, a triple black 2011 2SS convertible...

02-10-2012, 10:29 AM	#9
dodojoe Drives: 2011 SS RS Camaro Convertible-VR Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Bowling Green KY Posts: 189	I just unlock and push the top up a few inches, enough for the locking mechanism to clear and seat it back into the lock position, then finish lowering the top. When I close the top, I bring it all the way up till it hits the frame, and then push the top up a couple of inches and open the lock to finish the process.

02-10-2012, 01:54 PM	#10
Baba Drives: 2011 Camaro 2LT RS Convertible Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: USAREUR, CONUS/DOD-A, VA Posts: 1,745	Owner's manual states to return handle to locked position prior to fully lowering top. __________________ 2011 Camaro 2LT RS Convertible Summit White Black Leather 3 Pedals Build Date: 06/27/2011 Purchased: 07/30/2011 Title Received: 08/15/2011 1984 Camaro (3rd Gen.): Traded: 1987 "Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss."

03-02-2013, 04:34 PM	#11
TUCUNDUVA TUCUNDUVA Drives: 45th Edition Convertible V6 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Paraguay Posts: 12 View My Garage	HI FRIEND. I HAVE A V6 CONVERTIBLE 2012 45TH (8.000 miles) I HAVE FOLLOW THE MANUAL TO OPEN DE TOP (BEFORE IT WORKED NORMAL). BUT IN THE DISPLAY SHOW "LAUNCHED TOP". WHEN I PULL TO RAISED THE TOP I HEAR THE MOTOR, AFTER IT STOPS TO WORK. I TRY AGAIN TO LOWER THE TOP AND DOESNT WORK. HAVE YOU A TIP FOR ME? THANK YOU. ARI

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