convertable top slightly mis aligned when fastening latches

[grasshopper]

Hi again. My convertible top doesn't quite align perfectly when I am latching it into place. Is this a windshield mis alignment or can the convertible frame be adjusted ? Thanks.

[Ragno124]

Are you sure its the frame and not the front bow? On mine, I have to manually force the pegs into the holes by pushing down from on top as the front bow is slightly "sprung", most likely due to age and fatigue.

[TX82FIAT]

Same, I find when stored with top fastened by clips it recloses/latches much easier. However, if I go a while without latching the top it takes a little alignment pressure to latch. Have had three spiders and on all three there has been at some point a little alignment pressure needed.

[RRoller123]

Mine doesn't align perfectly either, I have to push the passenger clasp maybe 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch to the side after fastening the driver's side. I suspect that they are probably all like this? There are a lot of attachment places where the windshield and top can move relative to each other.

[wetminkey]

I have to align mine as I fasten it closed,...not by much, but I have to guide it.
With the number of pivot points in a convertible top frame, it's no wonder that it might mis-align, especially after 30+ years. A clean and lube of the articulations might change that,...
DO NOT leave a canvas top (especially just after washing) down for extended periods! You'll have a tough time getting the latches to close,...I believe that the canvas shrinks slightly as it dries.
Happy Motoring!
Todd.

[DieselSpider]

If the car is partially in the shade one side of the top can be hot and relaxed while the other can be cold which will also cause random alignment issues. If the latches were not spaced properly on the windshield or top bow you would not be able to get the pins to mesh. Sometimes I find that fastening the passenger side first make things go better too. Most issues for me usually occur if I wait until the sun is setting and a shadow has been cast across the top while it was down.

[seabeelt]

Our 78 was like that when new. It’s almost impossible to pull the top perfectly forward and not have to shift it ever so slightly to get them both to latch