Al's Convertible Top Repair Project
Perhaps only other mechanical engineers will appreciate this project.
When I bought my C5, three years ago, it included paint damage to the tonneau on the driver's side where the underside of the convertible top created marks. See first 2 photos.
I went to Don's Auto Trim (on Rockville Rd who do interiors and convertible tops for hot rods and customs) this past week to seek advise.
I had the owner and one of his pros look at the situation seeking a cure.
I pointed out what I thought was the tension rod (and I still do). They said not to do anything with it as adjusting it would make the top pucker on that side (more about the tension rod in a moment).
I got the idea to put my money to work to see just how much tension was being created on both sides of the top when in full up position.
See I am not as cheap as Terri says that I am- I placed a dollar bill (ok- one's a $20) under the tightest point where the fabric contains a double seam on each side of the top when in the raised position. See photos #3 and #4.
The bill on the passenger side slid out fairly easily, while the bill on the driver's side was much tighter.
I then ascertained that the additional pressure might be creating the marks out beyond the rubber seals on the tonneau top.
I then loosened the lock nut on the adjusting rod(which holds the adjusting nut in position). It is the smaller nut in photo #5.
I then threaded inward the the larger adjusting nut (also photo #5) and reset the above-mentioned locking nut.
To check, I repeated the dollar bill test and found that the bill on the driver's side now was about the same tension as on the passenger side.
Now I need to take the yellow tonneau to Jerry Burk to be repainted.
When I bought my C5, three years ago, it included paint damage to the tonneau on the driver's side where the underside of the convertible top created marks. See first 2 photos.
I went to Don's Auto Trim (on Rockville Rd who do interiors and convertible tops for hot rods and customs) this past week to seek advise.
I had the owner and one of his pros look at the situation seeking a cure.
I pointed out what I thought was the tension rod (and I still do). They said not to do anything with it as adjusting it would make the top pucker on that side (more about the tension rod in a moment).
I got the idea to put my money to work to see just how much tension was being created on both sides of the top when in full up position.
See I am not as cheap as Terri says that I am- I placed a dollar bill (ok- one's a $20) under the tightest point where the fabric contains a double seam on each side of the top when in the raised position. See photos #3 and #4.
The bill on the passenger side slid out fairly easily, while the bill on the driver's side was much tighter.
I then ascertained that the additional pressure might be creating the marks out beyond the rubber seals on the tonneau top.
I then loosened the lock nut on the adjusting rod(which holds the adjusting nut in position). It is the smaller nut in photo #5.
I then threaded inward the the larger adjusting nut (also photo #5) and reset the above-mentioned locking nut.
To check, I repeated the dollar bill test and found that the bill on the driver's side now was about the same tension as on the passenger side.
Now I need to take the yellow tonneau to Jerry Burk to be repainted.
