Bent 5th Bow Photo - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Stittville Ed · 05-19-2018, 06:30 AM

Attached is a photo of the bent part of the 5th bow and the new 5th bow.
You have to buy the whole 5th bow which is shipped in a box about 4'x6'

I removed the complete top assembly and was able to just replace the metal ends which I call the Pivot Points.

The photo shows just how much the Pivot Point is bent.
The left is the old bent and the right is the replacement.
They are not from the same side, one is the right and one was the left side.

Lots of items to remove to get the top assembly out and it is VERY heavy.

Thanks to DaddySS and PDXSSCE for information to complete this project.

sbubbaklein · 05-19-2018, 07:57 AM

I have parts at home waiting for time to install. The new brackets are held on to aluminum piece with torks bolts. Some information on here states old bracket riveted on, which is it?

Stittville Ed · 05-19-2018, 08:52 AM

On my Wife's 2012 they are attached with 2 Torx on each side, T-40 I think.

BUT the 2011 cars seem to be a little different SOME OF THE TIME.

When you do remove the top have 2 Strong people and make sure you put a couple or three layers of cardboard on the trunk lid so you can set the top on the trunk to get in a better position to put the top an a table to work on it.

You have to drill out a rivet on each side that holds the headliner in place.
Pay attention to the orientation of these small straps.
I just used rivets I had to reattach them, 3/16"-1/2"

The clips that attach to the piston are the same as the trunk strut so you can get a idea on how to remove them.

And you have to cycle the piston up so you can attach the clips back on.

Let me know if you need any other information.

Stittville Ed · 05-19-2018, 10:01 AM

OK
If you do find the old bow is riveted just drill them out.
When you remove the pivot from the new bow it has a drilled and tapped plate that you can slide into the existing Aluminum part and bolt it up.

My new bow came with 4 spacers and the old only had 3 so I replaced them using all 4.

The plate that goes into the bow has 2 different sides on the lone edge just make sure you put them back in the correct way.

Stittville Ed · 05-19-2018, 10:44 AM

When I found this post the photo's could not be seen due to Photo Bucket.

But now by looking at it from another direction the photo's can be seen.

These would have been a BIG help if I had them..............

https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=442615

Angie11 · 06-06-2018, 10:40 AM

You can replace these without removing the top.....also the replacement one can still bend, I replaced and had them bend again, got another set and welded reinforcements to them....been good so far

Stittville Ed · 06-07-2018, 07:59 AM

[QUOTE=Angie11;10209875]You can replace these without removing the top.....also the replacement one can still bend, I replaced and had them bend again, got another set and welded reinforcements to them....been good so far[/QUOTE

Would you have any photo's of what and where you welded on to the bracket ???

I took the top out because the thread about doing it without taking it out had the photos blocked by Photobucked, but now you can see them.

Whit the photos I think I could have done it without taking the top out.

Angie11 · 07-02-2018, 10:46 AM

sorry don't have any pic's

05-19-2018, 06:30 AM	#1
Stittville Ed Drives: 2012 Camaro Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stittville, NY Posts: 42	Bent 5th Bow Photo Attached is a photo of the bent part of the 5th bow and the new 5th bow. You have to buy the whole 5th bow which is shipped in a box about 4'x6' I removed the complete top assembly and was able to just replace the metal ends which I call the Pivot Points. The photo shows just how much the Pivot Point is bent. The left is the old bent and the right is the replacement. They are not from the same side, one is the right and one was the left side. Lots of items to remove to get the top assembly out and it is VERY heavy. Thanks to DaddySS and PDXSSCE for information to complete this project. Attached Images

05-19-2018, 07:57 AM	#2
sbubbaklein Drives: early 2011 Camaro convertible Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: House Springs, Mo Posts: 2,002 View My Garage	I have parts at home waiting for time to install. The new brackets are held on to aluminum piece with torks bolts. Some information on here states old bracket riveted on, which is it? __________________ Early 2011 LT Convertible, ZL1 bumper, hood, side skirts, belly pan and wheels, Truecarbon ECF hood extractor, K&N CAI, Elite catch can, Big Worm Bow Tie emblems, Jacfab bracket, Vitesse TC, BMR strut brace, BMR tunnel brace, NPP exhaust

05-19-2018, 08:52 AM	#3
Stittville Ed Drives: 2012 Camaro Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stittville, NY Posts: 42	On my Wife's 2012 they are attached with 2 Torx on each side, T-40 I think. BUT the 2011 cars seem to be a little different SOME OF THE TIME. When you do remove the top have 2 Strong people and make sure you put a couple or three layers of cardboard on the trunk lid so you can set the top on the trunk to get in a better position to put the top an a table to work on it. You have to drill out a rivet on each side that holds the headliner in place. Pay attention to the orientation of these small straps. I just used rivets I had to reattach them, 3/16"-1/2" The clips that attach to the piston are the same as the trunk strut so you can get a idea on how to remove them. And you have to cycle the piston up so you can attach the clips back on. Let me know if you need any other information.

05-19-2018, 10:01 AM	#4
Stittville Ed Drives: 2012 Camaro Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stittville, NY Posts: 42	OK If you do find the old bow is riveted just drill them out. When you remove the pivot from the new bow it has a drilled and tapped plate that you can slide into the existing Aluminum part and bolt it up. My new bow came with 4 spacers and the old only had 3 so I replaced them using all 4. The plate that goes into the bow has 2 different sides on the lone edge just make sure you put them back in the correct way.

05-19-2018, 10:44 AM	#5
Stittville Ed Drives: 2012 Camaro Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stittville, NY Posts: 42	When I found this post the photo's could not be seen due to Photo Bucket. But now by looking at it from another direction the photo's can be seen. These would have been a BIG help if I had them.............. https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=442615

06-06-2018, 10:40 AM	#6
Angie11 Drives: 2011 ss rs convertable Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: WI Posts: 179	You can replace these without removing the top.....also the replacement one can still bend, I replaced and had them bend again, got another set and welded reinforcements to them....been good so far

06-07-2018, 07:59 AM	#7
Stittville Ed Drives: 2012 Camaro Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stittville, NY Posts: 42	[QUOTE=Angie11;10209875]You can replace these without removing the top.....also the replacement one can still bend, I replaced and had them bend again, got another set and welded reinforcements to them....been good so far[/QUOTE Would you have any photo's of what and where you welded on to the bracket ??? I took the top out because the thread about doing it without taking it out had the photos blocked by Photobucked, but now you can see them. Whit the photos I think I could have done it without taking the top out.

07-02-2018, 10:46 AM	#8
Angie11 Drives: 2011 ss rs convertable Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: WI Posts: 179	sorry don't have any pic's