<VV> LM convt top update

[J R Read_HML]

Rod,

I can't say for certain - but the manual tops have a spring loaded mechanism 
which the electric tops do not have.  Perhaps those springs (one each side) 
are to assist in the up or down movement(?) and perhaps, since you don't 
have those springs, this is the resistance you are encountering.  Someone 
else may be more knowledgeable on this.

Later, JR


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rod Murray" <rmurray at anaheimducks.com>
To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Monday, August 03, 2009 10:04 AM
Subject: <VV> LM convt top update


> Followup from last weeks rqst for input w power top opening/closing 
> issues - top is currently closed. recall the problem being that, after 9+ 
> years of no problems, driver side gears now sound like they're offline and 
> top no longer opening/closing properly....so..........
>
> opened up top bag behind rear seat to access motor... Removed cables at 
> both ends and tested. Motor sounds good. Then reconnected cables to motor 
> only and tested. Still sounds good and cables spinning freely - so looks 
> ok to this point.  Haven't reconnected cables to top assembly yet.
>
> Moving on to the gears, here's something I did notice....on both sides of 
> rear seat just above where motor cables connect, there are 3 phillips-head 
> bolts as part of the largest top gear - large heads but "stubby bolts" 
> maybe 1/2 -3/4" deep that appear to be part of alignment and mounting 
> setup.  only 2 bolts were in place on driver side and just 1 on passenger 
> side. That said, driver side bolt opening alignment was still fine but 
> passenger side bolt opening alignment was clearly off by almost 1/4". 
> just so happens I had 3 such bolts that came w a box of "extra parts" from 
> original purchase back in 2000 - didn't know what they were for but kept 
> em anyway "for just such an emergency" (thx foghorn leghorn).
>
> Realizing that I've probably been lucky to have a working power top all 
> these years despite the absent bolts, I realigned the openings on pass 
> side with a hole punch and screwdriver, then installed the 2 bolts on that 
> side and the 1 on drivers side.
>
> I then tried a "manual drop" but still felt resistance so stopped. - would 
> that be expected or should it open freely like any other manual top? 
> might I still need to "realign the gears?   I plan to reconnect power 
> cables and try a power drop this week.
>
> Hopefully this does the trick, but please feel free to send any repair in 
> progress thoughts.
>
> Thx rod
> Vintage corsa
> ------------------------
> Thx, Rod
> (All thumbs - pls excuse typos)
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