How do you adjust the t-tops?

[714Speed]

The t-tops on my 71 need to be re-aligned. The driver side looks straight and centered, right where it should be. The passenger side top is too far forward and the tops have too large of a gap where they meet in the middle. How do I go about adjusting them?;help

 

[Stallion]

I imagine that there are just small adjustments that you have to make on the t-top hardware. Does it even align? I mean, does the little spike (at least this is the design in the '78, I'm sure it's the same for you) meet the whole?

I'm sure somebody else will chime in with an answer. Good luck!!

TR

 

[78SilvAnniv]

My understanding about t-top fitment is in relation to its parts.
Weatherstripping
Latch
Pin holes

My 78SA tops are 'winging out' at the back and I also have a large gap in the center.

I know that to fix the winging out I have to replace the (sorry, don't know what to call them) bushings or sleeves that the rear pins slide into. Mine are broken and allow the pins to flex to the outside. Have replacements, just need to sweet talk Kenny into doing the installation.
In order to fix my window air noise, this needs to be done before the windows can be adjusted to the fresh weatherstripping.

The Latch screws could wear out, mine seem okay. I didn't think they adjusted where the tops are settled to the trim, just how tightly the weatherstripping is pressed to the windshield frame edge....but I could be wrong!

Perhaps someone who really knows will chime in...I have limited experience.
Heidi

 

[drduckster]

t-tops

mine are winging out also but appear to be adjusted all the way out.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Winging out

Dr Duck...are they winging out at the front or the back?
How old is your weatherstripping?
How much do your front latches compress the w'stripping?

Does anyone know if the inner tabs (that slide into the center rail) can be adjusted?
Heidi

 

[drduckster]

how do

they are winging out on the rear. the front looks ok. the weatherstrip has to be at least 5 years old.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Dr. Duck...

Check your holes where the ttop pins slide into...there should be a plastic sleeve in there. If it is cracked and broken like mine, the sleeve rotates until the pins are flexed to the outside of the hole, with no plastic between the pin and hole side.
If you have no plastic sleeves...they will still flex to the outside of the hole.

If yours are winging out at the rear edge, this is what I believe is occuring, same as mine. The sleeves need to be replaced so the ttop pins fit snuggly in the holes.

5 year old w'strip should be just fine...since it is so 'fresh' it will have a little extra muscle to it and want to push away from the surfaces it is pressed to. When I replaced the w'stip on my tops I noticed that in front, the top was 'bowed' up in the center because of the elasticity of the new w'strip.
Maybe I could have avoided that by loosening the latch grip at the front corners...I don't know.

I'm looking at my ttop repair kit, and it appears to have stuff for the latch (new stoppers) and the sleeve and pins for the rear edge. There are also a lot of screws, some flat ended and some with points...I don't know what they're for...that's why I'm waiting for Kenny.
Heidi

 

[drduckster]

how do you

tks, 78 Silv, will check out today. If the rain continues will be looking for ideas to build the Amphi-Vette.:crazy

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Re: how do you

If the rain continues will be looking for ideas to build the Amphi-Vette.:crazy

I'm with you there! I couldn't believe I had white-water-rapids in the front yard yesterday...I didn't think a whole lake could fall out of the sky in just 15 minutes...
If you get the Amphibian vette thing going...I may be interested! :L
Heidi

 

[714Speed]

My weather stripping is fresh and puts a lot of pressure on the door shutting as well. Thanks for the info!