Convertible top went 'POP'!

[Human]

So, yesterday was a lovely afternoon in the mid-70s, perfect convertible weather, so I took the 'vert out to run a couple of errands. Each time I parked, I put the top back up so I could lock it up. Leaving my first stop, I put the top down, and when it reached 'bottom', it gave a loud 'POP!' When I got to my next stop, I tried to put the top back up and it only tried to go up on one side. I'm guessing a cable broke or popped loose, but I just don't know for sure. I'm also not sure how to get the top back up so I can eyeball the mechanism and maybe see what's what.

[94 olds vert]

Sounds like something broke. Hard to say what exactly without doing a visual inspection. You should be able to manually lift the top up slowly without doing any damage to the top itself. Then you will need to inspect for anything that broke. 

I can't find the post, but years ago someone had a similar issue and it was a bracket that cracked. The top was only lifting on one side. I don't remember specifics as that was likely 10+ years ago. 

 

Edited October 27 by 94 olds vert

[Human]

A friend helped me get the top up yesterday. She pushed the 'up' button while I manually lifted up the passenger side, keeping its progress even with the driver's side. Things went pretty smoothly, except the top was very hard to latch, and once we did get it latched, there's a gap at the top of the windshield, where daylight shows through. I climbed into the back seat to see if I could locate what had broken, but I couldn't see anything. I guess the next stop will be a trim shop for them to diagnose and fix the problem. I'm sure he'll want to put a new top on it, which I'm not totally opposed to. I've just got to take a look at my finances and see what's immediately affordable.

[rich_e777]

Sounds like a rod end joint gave away or one of the cables snapped. 

[Human]

22 hours ago, rich_e777 said:

Sounds like a rod end joint gave away or one of the cables snapped. 

My guess is a cable. I haven't had time to take it to a shop yet, but I don't intend to wait on that. I took the car to a shop a couple of years ago because all the staples were pulling out of the rear curtain. I got some good advice from the owner, although I wasn't ready to act on it at the time. Now that circumstances have essentially forced my hand, I'll be heading back there, as I got the sense he was giving me fair estimate and an honest assessment. I'll be replacing top as I also noticed a small split in the vinyl when I got the top up. It's only about an inch long, but it will only get bigger with time. Not doing the duct tape thing, even though I have a black roll on hand.

Edited November 5 by Human

[Human]

So, I took the 'vert to an upholstery shop this afternoon, and the owner, an older fellow who has been in business for almost 50 years, took one look at my top and said he could definitely staple it back, which the previous guy I took it to said wasn't possible. Then again, he hadn't been alive as long as this guy has been in business. He wants me to bring the car back next Monday and leave it with him a few days so he can dig into it and diagnose what broke. I'm hopeful he can get things put back to rights without breaking the bank.

[rich_e777]

I took mine to a shop for a quote and recall them saying there really isnt anything special about the design of the top. Their quote started at $1k + cost of the top material. I`d budget at least $2200 if going with the StayFast level top, its the same material they use for Corvettes so there are less expensive options.

[Human]

I dropped the 'vert off at the upholstery shop yesterday. The plan, at least for now, is not to replace the top, but to re-staple it where it's come loose at the rear and repair whatever popped loose on the passenger side. He's also going to fix the passenger quarter window, which hasn't worked in a couple of years, most likely a broken wire. It should all be fixed in a couple of days.

[Human]

I just got off the phone with the guy at the upholstery shop. He said what went 'POP' was the top of the hydraulic cylinder on the passenger side. The thing just broke off. He's ordering  a new one and should have the car ready early next week. He also said the reason all the staples pulled out in the rear was whoever replaced the top before I bought the car used staples that were too short. He also fixed that and the rear passenger quarter window, which hadn't worked in a couple of years. due to a broken wire. Needless to say, whenever I need the top replaced, I know who I'll be taking it to. All of this is getting fixed just in time for our annual "sleigh ride". Every December, we'll pick an evening to put the top down, crank up the heater, and ride around looking at Christmas lights while drinking hot chocolate from commuter mugs and listening to Christmas music. 

Edited November 26 by Human

[Human]

Well, the 'Vert is finally back home. It was a bit more expensive than I'd anticipated, but didn't break the bank. He replaced both cylinders and not only re-stapled the top at the rear, but also put in screws to more firmly secure it, and patched a small rip to keep it from getting worse. The top hasn't looked this good since I've owned the car. Hopefully, it will last a few more years before needing to be replaced.

Interesting side note: He said he couldn't find anything wrong with the rear passenger side quarter window. He said once he took things apart, it started working again. "It was probably just jammed up," he said. I could be a little upset at the labor cost to find that information out, but overall, I still think he did me right.

Edited December 6 by Human