Top Won't Close - It closed before
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jimmycakes401
Top Won't Close - It closed before
When I brought the car home from the PO I put the top down to make it easier to work on. Now when I try and close it it gets about an inch or two away from the windshield and stops. I assume it has something to do with the wires? The first day I had it (a few months ago) it was fine. Could it have shrunk? It's been in my garage the whole time.
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Jimb
- Posts: 740
- Joined: Mon May 05, 2008 1:03 am
- Your car is a: 1985.5 Volumex
Re: Top Won't Close - It closed before
Can you not push down on the top with your arm while you hook the clamps and then draw it into position?
It's supposed to be a tight stretch.
Jim
It's supposed to be a tight stretch.
Jim
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vandor
- Posts: 3996
- Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 1:23 pm
- Your car is a: 1971 124 Spider
- Location: Texas, USA
Re: Top Won't Close - It closed before
I've never had it happen on old tops, but had several new tops that I was not able to latch for a day or two, and even after that only while applying force with one hand, while using the latches as levers with the other. After a few months of use it got easier.
If the top is well worn then I would look to see if the wires are routed correctly, or if there is some other mechanical problem keeping it from closing all the way.
If the top is well worn then I would look to see if the wires are routed correctly, or if there is some other mechanical problem keeping it from closing all the way.
Csaba
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town
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jimmycakes401
Re: Top Won't Close - It closed before
The top is really old. This is the first time it was off in probably 15 years.
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jimmycakes401
Re: Top Won't Close - It closed before
I just used some brute force and pulled it down hard with the latches. It's up again. Whew. I need to get some sort of vinyl conditioner or something.
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sixcharlie
Re: Top Won't Close - It closed before
jimmycakes401 wrote:I just used some brute force and pulled it down hard with the latches. It's up again. Whew. I need to get some sort of vinyl conditioner or something.
Don't know where you live, but cold weather will have a lot to do with the ability of the top to stretch and close properly.
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jimmycakes401
Re: Top Won't Close - It closed before
New England. But it's been in the 70s
It's a really old top. Has a tear or two. Is there a conditioner I can use to loosen up the vinyl a little or will just the warmth of the sun do that? Also, is it okay to store it with the top down? If it's going to shrink in the winter I don't want it pulling the vinyl more and tearing further. It's an ugly top, but I want to get it read to at least attempt to save me if a sudden blast of rain hits.
It's a really old top. Has a tear or two. Is there a conditioner I can use to loosen up the vinyl a little or will just the warmth of the sun do that? Also, is it okay to store it with the top down? If it's going to shrink in the winter I don't want it pulling the vinyl more and tearing further. It's an ugly top, but I want to get it read to at least attempt to save me if a sudden blast of rain hits.
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wikkid
Re: Top Won't Close - It closed before
303 Products for vinyl cleaning/protection/conditioning.
The sun will warm it up and that should also help.
The sun will warm it up and that should also help.
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majicwrench
Re: Top Won't Close - It closed before
Tears, I had a convertable Firebird eons ago, and it had a decent top with one pretty good, long rip. Put a couple of iron-on jeans patches on it, worked good for years.
Tight, yup, mine is too.
Keith
Tight, yup, mine is too.
Keith