TheSamba.com :: View topic - Convert Top Only Goes Down 1/2 Way Please Help

Mon Mar 15, 2004 2:58 pm

Hello Listers
I bought a 74 cab that had a new top installed in 1985 then stored with the top up from 1986 til 2004 - Top looks great and is tight as a drum - BUT It will not go down all the way . I have lowered the rear window and I can not figure out what is wrong. ANY HELP would be great.

Thanks
Scott in Savannah

Mon Mar 15, 2004 3:07 pm

Try to spray some wd-40 on all the joints. There shouldn't be anything that keeping it from going down.

Mon Mar 15, 2004 3:13 pm

Thanks for the info - but it seems to be a resistance not like its stuck from rust.
The joints seem to work great - pulling it back - the first 1/2 is so easy that I dont think its sticking...... but more like something is not bending the right way.... Like I said its been up for years (15 +) and I think it forgot how to fold up- And I dont want to push to hard. I have never opened a Ghia cab before - but my old Mustang(66 convert) almost fell down once you got past 1/2 way......

But I will go lube the movin parts - tonite
Thanks
Scott in Savannah

Mon Mar 15, 2004 3:42 pm

The best I can think of is to "feel" where it gets stuck. Climb in the car and stand on the front seats. Push the top from the middle on the front. See if one side sticks first. Watch the mechanism to see if any parts fight the movement. Be forcefull, but don't be at the same time. Be cautious of the glass, and definatly make sure it is down first. I can't think the roof would look right, or close right if it was put together wrong.

Mon Mar 15, 2004 4:12 pm

Make sure the "intermmediate bow" is being pulled back during the initial movements of opening the top. This is the first small, tubular bow just to the rear of the main header bow. It should have elastic straps attached (inside the top) to aid in this pulling back motion.

Mon Mar 15, 2004 7:11 pm

I had that problem with a '70 'vert. That is correct - the intermediate bow has to be pulled back by elastic. I purchased stretchy material at a fabric store. The top farbic or vinyl has to be pulled back to access the intermediate bow. If you open the top part -way, you may to peer inside the top and see the position that the TWO runs of elastic are placed.

lemke'

Mon Mar 15, 2004 11:14 pm

Hi,
These windows in the back are EXTREEMELY expensive. So, before you start messing with this thing I would recommend that you remove the rear window completely and store it in a safe place, Then you can use some extra strength and so forth to coax this top into place. Just don't break the window!

Tue Mar 16, 2004 8:11 am

Hello All you listers

THANK YOU

I did not read about the front bow until today - but last nite I looked and looked and looked and noticed a bar that was pointing forward - I pushed it so that it pointed backward and the top opened all the way .....WHooo whoooo.......
Now it looks like a convertable.....

Thanks again to all - You guys are spot on...
Scott in Savannah - waiting for my first drive ever in a ghia - should be within 14 days....... Master cylinder in the mail with new brake hoses and gas pedal repair kit.