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Top too tight?

M mickey356
I'm going to be installing my new windsheild in the next few days and I desperately need some help! The story goes - I had my old top fixed (front bow attached) I didn't realize until an hour after I picked the car up the windsheild was cracked (in the center from the top side running down). It still isn't clear WHY it was cracked, wether it was the place that did the work or if it was from the top being too tight? John at JPS told me the center post at the top might be pushing into the glass and when the top was tightened it cracked. I obviously want to avoid this happening again. I see from some pictures that people have tops that look very tight. PLEASE HELP - has this happened to anyone else? Can anyone give me some indication of how tight a top should be? (I can already see the post from Vince on that question - LOL). Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mickey
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M mickey356
I'm going to be installing my new windsheild in the next few days and I desperately need some help! The story goes - I had my old top fixed (front bow attached) I didn't realize until an hour after I picked the car up the windsheild was cracked (in the center from the top side running down). It still isn't clear WHY it was cracked, wether it was the place that did the work or if it was from the top being too tight? John at JPS told me the center post at the top might be pushing into the glass and when the top was tightened it cracked. I obviously want to avoid this happening again. I see from some pictures that people have tops that look very tight. PLEASE HELP - has this happened to anyone else? Can anyone give me some indication of how tight a top should be? (I can already see the post from Vince on that question - LOL). Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mickey
FM Former Member
Mickey:

I just put the top on after having it down all summer long. Probably not the best thing to do I guess. I am having the same concerns that the top might be too tight. In the summer I figured the top would give some way, but now that winter is upon us I am getting worried. Let's see if anyone has a suggestion.

Andres
execk2execk2
When I put up the top in cold weather I would need to release the snaps a bit and put it on loose and then tighten a bit and a bit more to make it fit. It's tight but certainly not like a new convertible. Could it be your post is a little too long where it goes into the top of the frame? Center post should be tight but not torqued. I don't think you can get that wrong. The side posts should be real tight into the body and 2 side screws nice and tight. Don't want the glass moving when the top comes down. That flex would be enough to crack the glass.

Course I haven't put the top up since last fall. It's time again, since it already snowed on the mountain....brr.....

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M mickey356
Now that's what I'm talking about! Thank you all so much for the great advise. Between whats been posted and Gordons very helpful email including Alan Merkins instructions I should be OK. My "spidy-senses" tell me it's a combination of a tight top AND the center post pushing on the glass. I'll probabaly grind the post down as close as I can get it without it losing its efficiency. Thanks again to all, Mickey
FM Former Member
Mickey, I found the relief levers inside my top to be helpful in winter. Instead of snugging the top up by moving the levers behind my seats, I relieved the springs on the CMC latches on the bow itself and simply didn't snug the levers at all.
It was loose, but it didn't crack the windshield when it got cold. I wouldn't drive it that way, but it was good for storage.
M mickey356
Thanks Cory,
I checked my front latches this morning and they were screwed all the way in so I loosened them all the way out which I think will give me a little more play. The storage issue was my reason for getting the top fixed in the first place, and of course, it's always noce to have a functional top if it's needed. So with all the info I'm loaded with I think I should be OK going forward. Keeping my fingers crossed - Mickey
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