Hardtop Removal????

[90Callaway]

HELP!!!!!!!

I give up... can't get the damn thing off. Chris or Luigi, I think maybe you guys have done this with your verts? I did not put mine on so I can't figure out how to remove it.

I have all the bolts out - two in the windshield header and all the ones on the two brackets on the mounting points behind the doors. I just can't get the pins out of the two mounting points where the soft top would clamp down to the rear deck.

I was assuming I'd just pull the cable release and they'd just pop out like the soft top does... no. Then I figured I had to back the nuts off the studs and lift the top off that way... no. The nuts won't back off all the way they get hung up. I give up.

Unlike my usual mode of operation I walked away and called it a day. I'd usually keep getting bigger hammers until I broke something. Actually, I can thank my girlfriend for being the voice of reason.

She suggesting that I ask for help... a very non guy thing to do!

 

[*89x2*]

Kevin, mine was held down by an 8mm bolt on each side - I went to Sears and bought a "racheting" boxed end wrench as it is VERY tight in there... With Natasha's help, we lifted the top off.

As you mentioned, 2 bolts in the windshield header, the side bolts at the bracket and then the 2 in the back.

Funny thing about mine - When I bought the car, they were not tight at all - every bump rattled the hardtop - we stopped at a gas station and borrowed the only wrench she had - an 8mm

Hope this helps -Chris

 

[TurboLuigi]

Kev,

Sorry I am my other home in Naples and have been catching up on months of maintenance.

The trick is to move forward the driver seat and just under the rear deck lid is a black pull lever that releases the two prongs which push in where the soft-top goes in.

Obviously, you must loosen the screws first as you have done but if you don't pull the black lever it aint comming off

After you get the hard top off you will need to remove the side brackets... there are bolts there you need to remove befor the top will come off. And by the way, there is a socket type wrench that comes with the hard top to loosen the screws. If you remember I searched to replace mine at Carlisle last year.

If you need help give me a call (you should have my number) even though the cell phone reception is kinda lousy over here.

Luigi
:cool

 

[TurboLuigi]

BTW, be careful as the hardtop is rather heavy. The two prongs (which you need to release) can cause major damage if the top slips while you are doing this. Use a pulley (or 2 people).

Also, if the rear window defroster is connected there is a cable on both sides of the top which must be disconnected. + on the driver's side, - on the passenger's side.

After you have put it on/off a couple of times it is easy.

Luigi
:cool

 

[*89x2*]

Here is the one I bought - $4.99 at Sears
http://www.sears.com/sr/product/sum...&vertical=SEARS&bidsite=CRAFT&pid=00942171000
Similar to this one >>>

Hope this helps (Mine didn't have a wrench for this, only for the torx bolts in the windshield header)
As Luigi said, Be careful when releasing the top...

 

[90Callaway]

Hi Guys - Thanks for the quick responses. I think based on what you've both said I've confirmed what I suspected. The cable pull that should release the pins is not working. No matter what I do I can't get the pins (prongs) that go in those softtop holes on the deck lid to come out.

Chris, are you saying you were able to get the pins completely off with just an 8mm wrench? I was trying to use an 8mm to hold them from turning while using a 7/8" to back off the lock nuts. The problem is that the lock nuts freeze up on the threads before they back completely off... can't figure out why. Very frustrating as it's so tight in there! ad :bang

 

[EricVonHa]

Kevin- Good luck with the process there. If all else fails.. towards the end of August maybe the car would want to become part of a Callaway Group Therapy session. With so many Callaway owners present-- I think we could fix anything!

 

[TurboLuigi]

Kev,

If all else fails, you can dissassemble the locking mechanism from the rear deck lid to release it. When I get home later tonight I will grab my repair manual and scan the pages relevant for you.

Luigi
:cool

 

[Vettelt193]

Just a note, the pull lever is usually pretty tight... You really need to give it a solid pull for the thing to release. I remember thinking the plastic handle was going to break on my Dad's old '91 'vert.

 

[*89x2*]

Chris, are you saying you were able to get the pins completely off with just an 8mm wrench? I was trying to use an 8mm to hold them from turning while using a 7/8" to back off the lock nuts. The problem is that the lock nuts freeze up on the threads before they back completely off... can't figure out why. Very frustrating as it's so tight in there! ad :bang

That sounds different than what I had going on :confused
I backed the bolt out (it stays w/ the top though) and then released the "top release", Natasha helped me pivot the top then off the car and we took a deep breath as it was a tight fit!!

Here's some more pics - hope it helps

 

[*89x2*]

 

[90Callaway]

Chris - Yes mine is different from that. Where you have the 8mm bolt head I have a large threaded stud with an 8mm end on the shaft. On that threaded stud is a large 7/8" lock nut. h

The release handle is as Vettelt193 says... REALLY tight. It actually feels like it's already sprung. It kind of just flops around like there is something holding the top catch mechanism in the open position. If I pull real hard I can see the mounting point for the top wiggle but it will not release the top. I wish I could see it or get at it from the underside but the softtop folded up in the storage area seems to prevent that.

I did not have much time to mess with it tonight as I had other things I needed to do. I have to get it off this week as I'm having my heater core replaced and I want to be able to give the guy as much breathing room as possible to get at the dash.

 

[90Callaway]

Forgot to mention that I found a .pdf of the hardtop removal/install procedure. I haven't detemined yet if it will prove to be helpful.

 

[8388]

Speaking of hard tops, I'm gonna attempt to build a hard top caddy out of PVC pipe. I refuse to pay $190.00 plus shipping for the one that MAD sells. I have never bolted mine on, but I hear it makes the vert stiffer than the coupe.

 

[TurboLuigi]

Sam,

I agree with you WRT the HardTop Caddy. I have 2 tops to store. I too have thought about eventually haking a caddy on dolly so I can move them around with ease.

Luigi
:cool

 

[EricVonHa]

Everyone just take a deep breath and drink a Yuengling. It fixes everything! :dance

 

[TurboLuigi]

Eric,

I could use one now myself!.....

Kev,

I posted the pages from the Corvette Service Manual which pertain to the hardtop and the underneath portion of the rear decklid (the release mechanism).

Oh... and here is the link http://www.employees.org/~luigi/HardTop.pdf

Hope it helps!

Luigi
:cool

 

[90Callaway]

Thanks guys! I'm going to attempt it again tonight. I'm hiding all the hammers and vise grips.

I've considered one of those hoists they have for the top to get it up out of the way. First I need to get it detached. I think I'd lift the whole car before it comes off the way it is now! I don't have the floor space for one of those carts. For now it will live in the basement once detached.

 

[TurboLuigi]

Kev,

The hoist works well. I got mine from Ecklers. It is of much better quality than the one I got for my '56 T-Bird. With it, I am able to get the top off/on by myself.

Good luck and feel free to give me a call.

Luigi
:cool

 

[*89x2*]

I agree with you guy's - a hoist, stand or something is needed to keep these things out of the way as I do not intend to put it on until November (or never )

Kevin, sounds like yours bolts down totally different than mine - how about your 91 Luigi ?? How does that one go??

Keep the faith Kevin - My bride had to keep my cool for me, as my fingers simply did not fit into theat area where the bolt head sat