Proper Way To Latch and Un-latch A Convertible Roof on a C2 Corvette
04-20-2014, 08:07 AM
#1
Proper Way To Latch and Un-latch A Convertible Roof on a C2 Corvette
someone told me the proper way to latch the convertible roof was to latch the windshield latches first, click the back part of the roof into the deck holes one click…then, release the latches on the windshield, press the roof all the way down on the rear deck and then re-attach the latches on the windshield. Sounds like a well thought out plan but is this the correct way and if so, why that way? Does it take stress off of some part when putting the roof up? Just wondering if anyone else does this or there's any truth to this being a proper way of doing it.
04-20-2014, 08:36 AM
#2
Race Director
Member Since: Feb 2007
Location: northern california
Posts: 13,613
Received 6,529 Likes
on
3,004 Posts
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
That's too much like Real Work for my taste (and patience).
To put the top up:
I hook the front latches into the windshield header.
The I press the rear pins all the way down into the deck latches.
Then I latch the front latches at the windshield.
To put the top down:
Unlatch and un-hook the windshield latches
Release the deck latches
Simple. Easy to remember.
Jim
To put the top up:
I hook the front latches into the windshield header.
The I press the rear pins all the way down into the deck latches.
Then I latch the front latches at the windshield.
To put the top down:
Unlatch and un-hook the windshield latches
Release the deck latches
Simple. Easy to remember.
Jim
04-20-2014, 09:14 AM
#3
Melting Slicks
I can't get my fronts on if the back pins are all the way down.... I put the top up without latching, carefully line up the rear pins into the holes. Latch the front, push down the back.
04-20-2014, 12:11 PM
#4
Advanced
Member Since: Aug 2012
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That's too much like Real Work for my taste (and patience). To put the top up: I hook the front latches into the windshield header. The I press the rear pins all the way down into the deck latches. Then I latch the front latches at the windshield. To put the top down: Unlatch and un-hook the windshield latches Release the deck latches Simple. Easy to remember. Jim
Jim
04-20-2014, 12:44 PM
#6
Melting Slicks
Mine is a new top and after having been down for 2 months was almost impossible to stretch back to being able to be closed. It took a lot of effort but I finally got her done.
My mechanic recommends the method described in the above posts wherein you place the front but don't latch it until after you push the rears in. However, he recommends only pushing the rear pins in to the first position and thus lessen the rubbing against the paint. I'm going to get the entire lid wrapped in clear film instead of applying the noticeable protective films they sell and then push the rears in to the second stop. I'm also planning on getting the windshield frame top wrapped in protective film. That should keep it nice and shiny w/o requiring future polishing.
My mechanic recommends the method described in the above posts wherein you place the front but don't latch it until after you push the rears in. However, he recommends only pushing the rear pins in to the first position and thus lessen the rubbing against the paint. I'm going to get the entire lid wrapped in clear film instead of applying the noticeable protective films they sell and then push the rears in to the second stop. I'm also planning on getting the windshield frame top wrapped in protective film. That should keep it nice and shiny w/o requiring future polishing.
04-20-2014, 02:58 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
Mine is a new top and after having been down for 2 months was almost impossible to stretch back to being able to be closed. It took a lot of effort but I finally got her done.
My mechanic recommends the method described in the above posts wherein you place the front but don't latch it until after you push the rears in. However, he recommends only pushing the rear pins in to the first position and thus lessen the rubbing against the paint. I'm going to get the entire lid wrapped in clear film instead of applying the noticeable protective films they sell and then push the rears in to the second stop. I'm also planning on getting the windshield frame top wrapped in protective film. That should keep it nice and shiny w/o requiring future polishing.
My mechanic recommends the method described in the above posts wherein you place the front but don't latch it until after you push the rears in. However, he recommends only pushing the rear pins in to the first position and thus lessen the rubbing against the paint. I'm going to get the entire lid wrapped in clear film instead of applying the noticeable protective films they sell and then push the rears in to the second stop. I'm also planning on getting the windshield frame top wrapped in protective film. That should keep it nice and shiny w/o requiring future polishing.
04-20-2014, 04:43 PM
#8
Advanced
Member Since: Aug 2012
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
IMHO: Big mistake. You should never store top down for the very reason you have. The top will shrink. I won't even leave mine overnight with the top down (never maybe an overstatement, lets say rarely).
04-20-2014, 05:00 PM
#9
Instructor
Had the same problem with my C1 top as the previous owner shipped car with hardtop on and took a coupe of months before I could get the hardtop into proper storage. I was told to leave the car parked in the sun with the top up and it would stretch out enough to the point of being able to get it latched down.
04-20-2014, 05:08 PM
#10
Team Owner
I hardly ever have the hardtop on my '61 but use the vinyl strips when I do. I've given up using the different size/shape vinyl strips for the soft top. The strips have caused me more trouble than the soft rubber on the rear deck bow would ever cause.
04-20-2014, 06:36 PM
#11
Melting Slicks
No one makes it specifically but I'm going to go to a clear bra place and get it wrapped. They can wrap the entire car, if you want.
04-20-2014, 06:37 PM
#12
Melting Slicks
Yeah, I learned that already and now the top goes up when the car goes on the lift.
04-20-2014, 07:21 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
04-20-2014, 07:36 PM
#14
Safety Car
Member Since: Nov 2004
Location: going faster miles an hour...with the radio on in browns mills new jersey
Posts: 4,154
Likes: 0
Received 71 Likes
on
45 Posts
That's too much like Real Work for my taste (and patience).
To put the top up:
I hook the front latches into the windshield header.
The I press the rear pins all the way down into the deck latches.
Then I latch the front latches at the windshield.
To put the top down:
Unlatch and un-hook the windshield latches
Release the deck latches
Simple. Easy to remember.
Jim
To put the top up:
I hook the front latches into the windshield header.
The I press the rear pins all the way down into the deck latches.
Then I latch the front latches at the windshield.
To put the top down:
Unlatch and un-hook the windshield latches
Release the deck latches
Simple. Easy to remember.
Jim
04-20-2014, 07:47 PM
#15
Race Director
Member Since: Feb 2007
Location: northern california
Posts: 13,613
Received 6,529 Likes
on
3,004 Posts
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
04-20-2014, 08:38 PM
#16
Melting Slicks
04-20-2014, 08:43 PM
#17
That's too much like Real Work for my taste (and patience).
To put the top up:
I hook the front latches into the windshield header.
The I press the rear pins all the way down into the deck latches.
Then I latch the front latches at the windshield.
To put the top down:
Unlatch and un-hook the windshield latches
Release the deck latches
Simple. Easy to remember.
Jim
To put the top up:
I hook the front latches into the windshield header.
The I press the rear pins all the way down into the deck latches.
Then I latch the front latches at the windshield.
To put the top down:
Unlatch and un-hook the windshield latches
Release the deck latches
Simple. Easy to remember.
Jim
04-21-2014, 12:32 AM
#19
Melting Slicks
Actually, usually a technical writer writes the manuals....everyone knows engineers cant spell!!
