Top slams header when closing. - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

LOFCorn · 07-02-2016, 11:17 PM

Went to a concert tonight and when I was leaving, I opened the top and about half way up it sounded like something snapped. Did not sound good. I immediately closed the top and when it closes the header hits really hard. I also noticed that with the top about 6 inches away from being closed, it moves up and down about 6 inches easily when pushing up on the top front.

Any idea what I may have done to the top? It seems to fit OK when closed, but it is not the same when closing, every time it slams on the latch when closing. I have to stop closing the top about a foot shy and slowly lower it so it doesn't slam on the latch.

pony · 07-03-2016, 07:56 PM

Look at the back where the top meets the trunk/back. Does this look "pulled away" or different? I'm thinking you may have broken the 5th bow; typical for the 2011-2012.

LOFCorn · 07-04-2016, 08:52 AM

It looks like it seals up ok. My camaro is a 2013 SS.

kevinw · 07-23-2016, 07:38 PM

on my 13 vert, the stop goes to where I have to stop it before it hits the windshield/latch, then I slowly push button and latch the top. I think that if I just let mine go and didn't stop it before it approached the windshield, it would slap it hard too.

vegas girl · 07-25-2016, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinw

on my 13 vert, the stop goes to where I have to stop it before it hits the windshield/latch, then I slowly push button and latch the top. I think that if I just let mine go and didn't stop it before it approached the windshield, it would slap it hard too.

Mine would DEFINITELY slam closed hard if I didn't stop it before it closed all the way...dealer has already replaced a broken latch!

Baba · 07-25-2016, 09:44 AM

Unfortunately, it appears to be normal for the top to "slam" down when raising it if one doesn't stop it before it closes completely. I always stop mine 6-8" from closing, turn the latch, then continue raising the top to close. Doesn't seem to outright "slam" down.

GearheadDiva · 07-25-2016, 08:07 PM

Glad to have stumbled upon this post! Mine closes pretty hard too since the day I got it (2013 SS) and I've been using the same method of slowing it down and preparing the latch before contact.

NYCamOwner · 07-28-2016, 04:38 AM

Yep, I always turn the latch when it gets into arm reach before it hits.. Sounds bad when I don't.

Zenkoji · 09-12-2016, 03:53 PM

I've owned many convertibles over my life, and just got in the habit of always catching the top when it got close to the windshield, so it wouldn't slam down. My recently acquired 2011 SS is no different - I think it would slap down harder than I would like if I didn't stop it a few inches away, turn the handle, then lower the rest of the way guiding with my other hand as it closes.

theragtopguy · 09-12-2016, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCamOwner

Yep, I always turn the latch when it gets into arm reach before it hits.. Sounds bad when I don't.

Me too!!!

18LTLoveIt · 01-09-2017, 03:56 PM

So you guys twist the handle flat before you touch the power lever? Does the retractable roof goes lower? I never did that, so I didn't have the thump. Thanks!

Baba · 01-13-2017, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 13LTLoveIt

So you guys twist the handle flat before you touch the power lever? Does the retractable roof goes lower? I never did that, so I didn't have the thump. Thanks!

Yes. Unlatch the top, open the top slightly, twist handle back to original (closed) position (so the hooks are curled inward). When closing the top, press and hold the power button until top comes within ~12" of closing, release power button so top stops, turn latch to "open" position (so hooks are pointing downward), then press and hold power button until top closes. At least that's the way I do it and, inevitably, it helps prevent the top from slamming shut.

18LTLoveIt · 01-13-2017, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baba

Yes. Unlatch the top, open the top slightly, twist handle back to original (closed) position (so the hooks are curled inward). When closing the top, press and hold the power button until top comes within ~12" of closing, release power button so top stops, turn latch to "open" position (so hooks are pointing downward), then press and hold power button until top closes. At least that's the way I do it and, inevitably, it helps prevent the top from slamming shut.

Thanks Baba, I have been doing it wrong for 1.5 yrs. Camaro5 is terrific!

07-02-2016, 11:17 PM	#1
LOFCorn Drives: 2013 SS Vert Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Suburban Detroit Posts: 6	Top slams header when closing. Went to a concert tonight and when I was leaving, I opened the top and about half way up it sounded like something snapped. Did not sound good. I immediately closed the top and when it closes the header hits really hard. I also noticed that with the top about 6 inches away from being closed, it moves up and down about 6 inches easily when pushing up on the top front. Any idea what I may have done to the top? It seems to fit OK when closed, but it is not the same when closing, every time it slams on the latch when closing. I have to stop closing the top about a foot shy and slowly lower it so it doesn't slam on the latch.

07-25-2016, 09:44 AM	#6
Baba Drives: 2011 Camaro 2LT RS Convertible Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: USAREUR, CONUS/DOD-A, VA Posts: 1,745	Unfortunately, it appears to be normal for the top to "slam" down when raising it if one doesn't stop it before it closes completely. I always stop mine 6-8" from closing, turn the latch, then continue raising the top to close. Doesn't seem to outright "slam" down. __________________ 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."

07-28-2016, 04:38 AM	#8
NYCamOwner "Katy" Drives: 2014 2LT A6 'Vert Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Western New York Posts: 1,076 View My Garage	Yep, I always turn the latch when it gets into arm reach before it hits.. Sounds bad when I don't. __________________ 2014 Black 2LT Convertible Elite Engineering Catch Can, Vitesse Throttle Controller, CAI Cold Air Intake Possible next mods: Throttle Body Exhaust Upstate C5 Member No, that is not me in the avatar..... I just love hot girls and hot cars.... or hot girls IN hot cars....

07-03-2016, 07:56 PM	#2
pony Drives: 2011 2SS Convert; Color RJT Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Nebraska Posts: 722	Look at the back where the top meets the trunk/back. Does this look "pulled away" or different? I'm thinking you may have broken the 5th bow; typical for the 2011-2012.

07-04-2016, 08:52 AM	#3
LOFCorn Drives: 2013 SS Vert Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Suburban Detroit Posts: 6	It looks like it seals up ok. My camaro is a 2013 SS.

07-23-2016, 07:38 PM	#4
kevinw Drives: 2013 Black 2 LT vert Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: kansas city Posts: 1,765	on my 13 vert, the stop goes to where I have to stop it before it hits the windshield/latch, then I slowly push button and latch the top. I think that if I just let mine go and didn't stop it before it approached the windshield, it would slap it hard too.

07-25-2016, 08:07 PM	#7
GearheadDiva Drives: 2013 Camaro SS Convertible Join Date: May 2015 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 17	Glad to have stumbled upon this post! Mine closes pretty hard too since the day I got it (2013 SS) and I've been using the same method of slowing it down and preparing the latch before contact.

09-12-2016, 03:53 PM	#9
Zenkoji Drives: 2011 SS Convertible, 6spd manual Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 14	I've owned many convertibles over my life, and just got in the habit of always catching the top when it got close to the windshield, so it wouldn't slam down. My recently acquired 2011 SS is no different - I think it would slap down harder than I would like if I didn't stop it a few inches away, turn the handle, then lower the rest of the way guiding with my other hand as it closes.

01-09-2017, 03:56 PM	#11
18LTLoveIt Drives: 2018 Hyper Blue LT RS Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 1,474 View My Garage	So you guys twist the handle flat before you touch the power lever? Does the retractable roof goes lower? I never did that, so I didn't have the thump. Thanks!