Hey Olds guru's,

so, just had my convertible top replaced, and, after less then 1 year, it has ripped, again, in the exact same spot as the old top.

The last one had two rips, pretty much on the exact same location on both left and right sides.

Picture attached of the new top after it was installed — I circled the location of where it ripped.

I've seen pictures of other Olds convertibles within the 70-72 range with rips in the same location.

Does anyone know what causes this, or how to fix it?

 

Are you following the procedure in the convertible top manual when lowering it? Here is a link to a thread describing it.


https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...le-owners.html

 

Check the alignment of the the back seat frame. That's where the pistons ride. The 442 I have had that exact problem on that side. My friend whom I purchased the car from would never take the top down because it would rip worse every time. When I took the car apart I found out it was hit and they never repaired it correctly. Took a good hit on the drivers side. Door was replaced, rear quarter was bondoed and they never bothered to fix the rear seat frame.

 

Thanks Will22 — this I never knew this procedure — I'm betting would have helped for sure. I'm going to have the top repaired temporarily... since the top is brand new, I've no desire to do this again and have more issues.

Zeeke — I feel like the ribs of the roof are what is causing the problem as it is going down... — its likely the fabric was not being folded correctly and if I followed the "proper" instructions it likely would have been avoided. I'll check the back seat frame though,

 

I replaced the convertible top on my 69 way back in 1984. I follow the procedure and the top looks good today. No issues. It's worth the few extra minutes.

 

While my car is full-size 62, it does have a cloth top, not vinyl, and I do follow the recommended folding procedure, my experience is such that would suspect something else is causing the rip/tear.

 

Many years ago when I bought my '71 the top was torn in that same location on both sides. I surmised it was due to the material being too tight across the corner of the rear bow, so when I replaced the top I left it a bit loose. Unfortunately, the new top developed a small tear in the same location, but just on the drivers side. I was able to patch it and it looked OK and didn't rip any further.

If you look at the top mechanism in that area, the end of one of the rails has what appears to be an unnecessary extension. It appeared to me that this end "point" is what pushes on the material when the top opens and draws tight, which causes the tear. I had thought about grinding it down, but I need to study it a bit more to make sure I'm not missing some reason for that "point" to be there.

 

I read that thread and went outside to look at my top. Mine folds just like the diagram and I don't have to fold anything, it does it by itself. Not sure why all those steps are needed. My top was installed last spring (2017)