WTH is going on with the top? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

PDXSSCE · 10-15-2017, 05:14 PM

When the top is lowered, the passenger side 'rail' (not sure of the correct name) isn't lowering all the way down. There's nothing keeping it up, because when the top is down, it can be pushed down with minimal pressure. It simply won't stay all the way down.
Some of you may remember that the cloth portion of the top was recently replaced. I wish to have some understanding of the issue, before I'm caught in a pickle between the shop who replaced it saying the issue has nothing to do with the cloth that was replaced & the dealership saying it's because the cloth was replaced.

I've circled in yellow the driver & passenger side 'rails' in the pictures for comparison.

redcoats1976 · 10-15-2017, 05:55 PM

is there a good upholstery shop you could ask about this?im betting it wasnt like that before the top was replaced and somehow the top isnt folding correctly.,or is too tight on that side.

PDXSSCE · 10-15-2017, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redcoats1976

is there a good upholstery shop you could ask about this?im betting it wasnt like that before the top was replaced and somehow the top isnt folding correctly.,or is too tight on that side.

It's been near impossible finding a shop experienced with these tops. The two or three shops who worked on one refuse to do another or charge an exorbitant amount... including the shop that did mine. The consensus is that they're an engineering flaw.
I'm kicking myself for not getting the hardtop Commemorative Edition.

Stewart · 10-16-2017, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDXSSCE

It's been near impossible finding a shop experienced with these tops. The two or three shops who worked on one refuse to do another or charge an exorbitant amount... including the shop that did mine. The consensus is that they're an engineering flaw.
I'm kicking myself for not getting the hardtop Commemorative Edition.

Mine does the same thing from the beginning so I doubt it is has anything to do with the hop. It eventually goes down, or I push it down as you mentioned. I never had any work done on the top (knock on wood).

Camcar · 10-16-2017, 08:34 AM

For what it's worth, I can remember having to push those front rails down in order to snap the vinyl covers over the folded top on pretty much all of the GM convertibles we had back in the late '70s. Does it stay down after you push on it? If not, maybe a spring was left out or not properly installed...?

Stewart · 10-16-2017, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camcar

................ Does it stay down after you push on it.........?

On mine it does

christianchevell · 10-16-2017, 06:21 PM

Most likely just the way the fabric decided it was going to fold.....You could stress out about it but it will do you no good.....that's what the tonneau cover is for...

InFiD3ViL · 10-16-2017, 06:42 PM

I do not have a convertible, but I have seen this before (in here).

I know for certain that this has been a topic in the forums in the past, with quite a few people seeing the same things on their vert tops.

Angrybird 12 · 10-16-2017, 07:19 PM

Looking at the top and not the rails it looks as though the entire left side is going down farther than the right. I suggest lowering the top a little at a time and observe each side at each stopping point, compare each side, take pictures also. Then after maybe 5 to 10 stops you may be able to see where and when it is different. I am betting one of the cables or straps are misrouted causing it to bind up on the right side.
Also watch it as it comes up and make sure both sides come up evenly.

PDXSSCE · 10-16-2017, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angrybird 12

Looking at the top and not the rails it looks as though the entire left side is going down farther than the right. I suggest lowering the top a little at a time and observe each side at each stopping point, compare each side, take pictures also. Then after maybe 5 to 10 stops you may be able to see where and when it is different. I am betting one of the cables or straps are misrouted causing it to bind up on the right side.
Also watch it as it comes up and make sure both sides come up evenly.

You're absolutely right. The left side lowers further than the right.

Angrybird 12 · 10-16-2017, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDXSSCE

You're absolutely right. The left side lowers further than the right.

Also lower the top where you can look down at the rails and see the stops. They are adjustable, you have two upper stops and two lower ones, make sure the lower stops are adjusted so the top goes completely down. When they replaced mine the upper stops were out of adjustment and did not allow the top to completly come down to the header on the passenger side. Your lower stop on the right side may need adjusting.

*DGthe3* · 10-16-2017, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDXSSCE

When the top is lowered, the passenger side 'rail' (not sure of the correct name) isn't lowering all the way down. There's nothing keeping it up, because when the top is down, it can be pushed down with minimal pressure. It simply won't stay all the way down.
Some of you may remember that the cloth portion of the top was recently replaced. I wish to have some understanding of the issue, before I'm caught in a pickle between the shop who replaced it saying the issue has nothing to do with the cloth that was replaced & the dealership saying it's because the cloth was replaced.

I've circled in yellow the driver & passenger side 'rails' in the pictures for comparison.

Moved to the convertible sub-forum

PDXSSCE · 10-16-2017, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angrybird 12

Also lower the top where you can look down at the rails and see the stops. They are adjustable, you have two upper stops and two lower ones, make sure the lower stops are adjusted so the top goes completely down. When they replaced mine the upper stops were out of adjustment and did not allow the top to completly come down to the header on the passenger side. Your lower stop on the right side may need adjusting.

If it were the stop, it wouldn't cause the top to be lower on one side while retracting, right?

Angrybird 12 · 10-17-2017, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDXSSCE

If it were the stop, it wouldn't cause the top to be lower on one side while retracting, right?

There are stops on both sides, if one side stop is hitting before the other then one side will remain higher than the other. You need to notice if the top is going down equally on both sides even before it gets to the stop, because if the top is not evenly going down there is probably a binding issue on one side.

10-15-2017, 05:14 PM	#1
PDXSSCE Yee-aay-ee! Drives: 2015 2SS/RS CV CE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: ORegon Posts: 2,562	WTH is going on with the top? When the top is lowered, the passenger side 'rail' (not sure of the correct name) isn't lowering all the way down. There's nothing keeping it up, because when the top is down, it can be pushed down with minimal pressure. It simply won't stay all the way down. Some of you may remember that the cloth portion of the top was recently replaced. I wish to have some understanding of the issue, before I'm caught in a pickle between the shop who replaced it saying the issue has nothing to do with the cloth that was replaced & the dealership saying it's because the cloth was replaced. I've circled in yellow the driver & passenger side 'rails' in the pictures for comparison. Attached Images

10-16-2017, 06:21 PM	#7
christianchevell old school chevy rodder Drives: 2021 zl1 a-10 WildCherry Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,622 View My Garage	Most likely just the way the fabric decided it was going to fold.....You could stress out about it but it will do you no good.....that's what the tonneau cover is for... __________________ 2021 Wild Cherry ZL1 A10, Sunroof, Data,Red Carbon Interior, Nav, RotoFab Big Gulp , Elite x2ultra, Borla ATAK, Driveshaft shop, BMR susp, Speed covers, intercoolers, ATI , 2650 MAG, DSX lid, 103 NW, TSP Longtubes & cats, LPE, 1le mods, ,LME cover, Katech pump and chain, Trunnions, BTR stage 2, LPE boostapump, Gforce, Speed eng , Granetteli, etc etc

10-16-2017, 06:42 PM	#8
InFiD3ViL Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS LS3 Swapped A6 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 4,733	I do not have a convertible, but I have seen this before (in here). I know for certain that this has been a topic in the forums in the past, with quite a few people seeing the same things on their vert tops. __________________ 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS LS3 Swapped A6 - GPI LS3 SS1 .647/.638, (224/237, 112 +4, 7º overlap) on CamMotion 8620 core, BTR Platinum .660" Dual Spring kit w/titanium retainers, CHE bronze trunnion upgrade, stock heads milled @ .015, Melling HV 10296 oil pump, TSP 1-7/8" long tube headers (W/Catless Off-road Pipes), Corsa Xtreme 3" Catback, GPI Ported/Rod Mod Intake, Stage 2 Ported Throttle Body, Vararam OTR CAI, Mike Norris Gen 2 catch can + GM 1LE clean side separator, 160º thermostat - Megan Racing adjustable coilovers (lowered 1.75"), MRR M017 10/11" wheels-Tuned by Ryan @ GPI

10-16-2017, 07:19 PM	#9
Angrybird 12 7 year Cancer Survivor! Drives: 17 Cruze RS, 07 G6 GT, 99 Astro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 21,546	Looking at the top and not the rails it looks as though the entire left side is going down farther than the right. I suggest lowering the top a little at a time and observe each side at each stopping point, compare each side, take pictures also. Then after maybe 5 to 10 stops you may be able to see where and when it is different. I am betting one of the cables or straps are misrouted causing it to bind up on the right side. Also watch it as it comes up and make sure both sides come up evenly. __________________ Cancer's a bitch! Enjoy life while you can! LIVE, LOVE, DRIVE... The Bird is the word!

10-15-2017, 05:55 PM	#2
redcoats1976 Drives: LT W/2LT,blue metallic Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: central florida Posts: 5,015	is there a good upholstery shop you could ask about this?im betting it wasnt like that before the top was replaced and somehow the top isnt folding correctly.,or is too tight on that side.

10-16-2017, 08:34 AM	#5
Camcar Drives: 2010 RS/SS Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Southeastern Washington Posts: 77	For what it's worth, I can remember having to push those front rails down in order to snap the vinyl covers over the folded top on pretty much all of the GM convertibles we had back in the late '70s. Does it stay down after you push on it? If not, maybe a spring was left out or not properly installed...?