2001 Convertible Top Wear

[Craig-o]

I now have 35,600 miles on my 2001 convertible (not quite out of warranty!) I just noticed a problem with the convertible top: the fabric has worn/abraded significantly on the driver’s side lower back corner (you can see it clearly when the back of the top is folded upright.)

A little investigation showed that it is due to contact with a plastic trim piece mounted on the wheel-well when the top is stowed. You can see that this plastic piece is deformed during the process of storing the top, and I'm sure the constant contact and vibration while driving with the top down is abrading the fabric.

While there is a symmetrical trim piece on the passenger side, the top does not contact it, and therefore there is no dammage to that side.

I took it to the dealer and got an unsatisfactory response - "that's the way it was designed, and simply normal wear and tear." Designed to rub and wear? What fool would believe that!? Before I start making a big stink, has anyone else ever seen this problem on a C5 convertible?

 

[HOTMOTORSPORTS]

I haven't noticed it on mine, but I'll look closer to see if there are any signs at all. Chuck

 

[Thunder7]

My 2000 is going in for some basic stuff next week and one of my issues is that the WINDOW corner is rubbing on the tops corner and causing wear...we'll see what happens...and I'll let you know.

 

[HOTMOTORSPORTS]

Just took a real close look and my top is very close to new looking (phew). I have the top down about 1/3 of the time and the car has 44K on it.

Chevrolet isn't all that great about making good on some legitimate (at least we think they are) Corvette warranty complaints. I will absolutely still buy these cars and maybe that's why they are a bit independent.

I do have to adjust the top, I hear wind through the left rear pass side.

Chuck