Getting top replaced, but where and? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

mwhitnee · 06-12-2015, 10:51 AM

The dealer finally caved in and my 2012 SS top is being replaced. Wooo-hoo!

He said that they would replace the top but it's going to do the same thing all over again (duh). He said he trusted only one place in Pawtucket RI (I live in Massachusetts). I told him I have no problem bringing it there, but I also have you guys to help me out.

THE EASY QUESTION:
Where in Massachusetts (or near MA) have people had their tops replaced by an independent dealer and been happy with it? I'm willing to drive a bit for it to be done right.

THE DIFFICULT QUESTION:
Obviously some of the mechanism needs to be replaced. Which parts? Do I go by the installer's recommendations or do you feel that there are "culprit" parts, like the 5th bow?

Thanks a lot for your input.

xnuyokr · 06-12-2015, 11:04 AM

There aren't "mechanism" parts to be replaced but look for the service bulletin that covers some changes which include some foam strips applied to some of the typical wear spots and a few other modifications. Below is the TSB Number, (it should come up if you google it), and you should make sure the installer has a copy of it. Call the installer and find out how many Camaro tops he has done. No matter how good a reputation the shop may have, our tops are difficult to work on and you want somebody that isn't just going to "wing it". Also make sure he knows a bit of the bad history of the < 2012 tops and that your problems aren't an isolated incident. Good luck. (Also make sure to demand a two year componant warranty to cover the new top. I had to stay on top of my dealer for this but I got it. Do not take no for an answer. They waited untill the repair was completed before agreeing to do the paperwork to request if from GM)!)

Bulletin No.: 12052
Date: April 2012

mwhitnee · 06-12-2015, 01:13 PM

I've looked for over half an hour, the bulletin isn't coming up. I thought there would be one for the 5th bow as well. Might I have to go to the dealer for this?

Nutbutt · 06-12-2015, 01:14 PM

I had my 2011 vert done by Balise Chevy in Springfield ma. I know they have a dealership by you. I would ask if they would send the guy from Springfield down. I know they have done a few successfully including mine.

intensifi · 06-13-2015, 09:41 AM

please search for my post on this. It lists the parts needed to retrofit a '12 to the current design

VOLmanTN · 06-13-2015, 04:53 PM

My ? to you guys, are you going to replace the top and keep the car knowing the issue will come back? I have a hard time replacing the top and running out of warranty and eventually having to replace the top on my own dime.

Baba · 06-14-2015, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwhitnee

The dealer finally caved in and my 2012 SS top is being replaced. Wooo-hoo!

He said that they would replace the top but it's going to do the same thing all over again (duh). He said he trusted only one place in Pawtucket RI (I live in Massachusetts). I told him I have no problem bringing it there, but I also have you guys to help me out.

THE EASY QUESTION:
Where in Massachusetts (or near MA) have people had their tops replaced by an independent dealer and been happy with it? I'm willing to drive a bit for it to be done right.

THE DIFFICULT QUESTION:
Obviously some of the mechanism needs to be replaced. Which parts? Do I go by the installer's recommendations or do you feel that there are "culprit" parts, like the 5th bow?

Thanks a lot for your input.

Here you go. See attached TSBs. You can reference a thread for these here:
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176749

Hope this helps.

Good luck with your top replacement. Pls. update us, if you would.

intensifi · 06-14-2015, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VOLmanTN

My ? to you guys, are you going to replace the top and keep the car knowing the issue will come back? I have a hard time replacing the top and running out of warranty and eventually having to replace the top on my own dime.

If you replace the top mechanism using the parts of the current MY cars you shouldn't have any problems. I did this several months ago. No rub marks since.

xnuyokr · 06-14-2015, 07:33 PM

Yes I agree. The new top and changes detailed in the TSb should solve the problems from reoccurring. Make sure to get the two year additional coverage!

mwhitnee · 06-15-2015, 03:42 PM

OK thanks guys I'mm gonna look over all of this and bring it to the dealer and see if they will do it using the newer parts. I'll let you know!

Jasper · 06-17-2015, 10:14 AM

My dealer (buddy of mine is service manager) says they don't replace the mechanism anymore. They can only change out pieces of the mechanism and have separate part numbers. So I got my top replaced and it is only the fabric with extra tether cables inside the help pull the fabric inwards as it goes down. But it doesn't fix the issue. The day after I got the new fabric on, I saw the beginnings of a mark. If you read my recent post, it details what is causing the rub mark and how to fix it. I am now several weeks after making the changes and have ZERO rub marks. Very happy now!

mwhitnee · 06-23-2015, 06:59 AM

I have little rub marks everywhere, not in any particular area, so I think my situation is maybe a little different from others??

06-12-2015, 10:51 AM	#1
mwhitnee Drives: 2012 Camaro SS/RS convertible Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 133	Getting top replaced, but where and? The dealer finally caved in and my 2012 SS top is being replaced. Wooo-hoo! He said that they would replace the top but it's going to do the same thing all over again (duh). He said he trusted only one place in Pawtucket RI (I live in Massachusetts). I told him I have no problem bringing it there, but I also have you guys to help me out. THE EASY QUESTION: Where in Massachusetts (or near MA) have people had their tops replaced by an independent dealer and been happy with it? I'm willing to drive a bit for it to be done right. THE DIFFICULT QUESTION: Obviously some of the mechanism needs to be replaced. Which parts? Do I go by the installer's recommendations or do you feel that there are "culprit" parts, like the 5th bow? Thanks a lot for your input.

06-12-2015, 11:04 AM	#2
xnuyokr Drives: 2012 1LT Drop Top Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Yardley, Pa Posts: 745	There aren't "mechanism" parts to be replaced but look for the service bulletin that covers some changes which include some foam strips applied to some of the typical wear spots and a few other modifications. Below is the TSB Number, (it should come up if you google it), and you should make sure the installer has a copy of it. Call the installer and find out how many Camaro tops he has done. No matter how good a reputation the shop may have, our tops are difficult to work on and you want somebody that isn't just going to "wing it". Also make sure he knows a bit of the bad history of the < 2012 tops and that your problems aren't an isolated incident. Good luck. (Also make sure to demand a two year componant warranty to cover the new top. I had to stay on top of my dealer for this but I got it. Do not take no for an answer. They waited untill the repair was completed before agreeing to do the paperwork to request if from GM)!) Bulletin No.: 12052 Date: April 2012 __________________ Last edited by xnuyokr; 06-12-2015 at 12:30 PM.

06-12-2015, 01:14 PM	#4
Nutbutt Drives: 2011 RJT 2LT/RS Convertible Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 3,381 View My Garage	I had my 2011 vert done by Balise Chevy in Springfield ma. I know they have a dealership by you. I would ask if they would send the guy from Springfield down. I know they have done a few successfully including mine. __________________ 1st IPF Supercharged 2011 2LT/RS RJT Convertible

06-13-2015, 09:41 AM	#5
intensifi Drives: '12 2LT Convertible Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belmont, California Posts: 1,701	please search for my post on this. It lists the parts needed to retrofit a '12 to the current design __________________ Mods: GM Locking Gas Cap, RS License Plate Frame, SS Brembos, ZL1 FrontEnd, 14/15 Convertible Top Last edited by intensifi; 06-13-2015 at 11:20 PM.

06-14-2015, 07:33 PM	#9
xnuyokr Drives: 2012 1LT Drop Top Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Yardley, Pa Posts: 745	Yes I agree. The new top and changes detailed in the TSb should solve the problems from reoccurring. Make sure to get the two year additional coverage! __________________

06-12-2015, 01:13 PM	#3
mwhitnee Drives: 2012 Camaro SS/RS convertible Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 133	I've looked for over half an hour, the bulletin isn't coming up. I thought there would be one for the 5th bow as well. Might I have to go to the dealer for this?

06-13-2015, 04:53 PM	#6
VOLmanTN Go Vols! Drives: 2011 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: FL Posts: 226	My ? to you guys, are you going to replace the top and keep the car knowing the issue will come back? I have a hard time replacing the top and running out of warranty and eventually having to replace the top on my own dime.

06-15-2015, 03:42 PM	#10
mwhitnee Drives: 2012 Camaro SS/RS convertible Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 133	OK thanks guys I'mm gonna look over all of this and bring it to the dealer and see if they will do it using the newer parts. I'll let you know!

06-17-2015, 10:14 AM	#11
Jasper Drives: 2011 Summit White Camaro SS (LS3) Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Welland, Ontario Canada Posts: 542	My dealer (buddy of mine is service manager) says they don't replace the mechanism anymore. They can only change out pieces of the mechanism and have separate part numbers. So I got my top replaced and it is only the fabric with extra tether cables inside the help pull the fabric inwards as it goes down. But it doesn't fix the issue. The day after I got the new fabric on, I saw the beginnings of a mark. If you read my recent post, it details what is causing the rub mark and how to fix it. I am now several weeks after making the changes and have ZERO rub marks. Very happy now!

06-23-2015, 06:59 AM	#12
mwhitnee Drives: 2012 Camaro SS/RS convertible Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 133	I have little rub marks everywhere, not in any particular area, so I think my situation is maybe a little different from others??