Body - Various Folding Top Issues
TECHNICALBulletin No.: 09-08-67-013C
Date: March 21, 2012
Subject: Folding Top Contacts Stowage Compartment Lid (Tonneau) and/or Tonneau Contacts Rear Window During Top Operation (Verify Condition and Perform Appropriate Adjustments)
Models:
2005-2013 Chevrolet Corvette
Attention:
This bulletin covers several scenarios in which the general customer comment may be that the folding top is contacting the tonneau during top operation. Verify the customer concern/condition and perform the appropriate adjustments as outlined below. For Condition #1, the corrections are listed in the order of the most likely needed repair option.
Supercede:
This bulletin is being revised to add the 2012 and 2013 model year. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 09-08-67-013B (Section 08 - Body and Accessories).
Condition #1
Some customers may comment that when opening/closing the folding top, the tonneau protector strip (1) is hitting the #5 bow seal or that the tonneau lid is hitting the #5 bow pressure link (2).
Cause #1
This condition may be caused by improper alignment of the folding top mechanism and/or tonneau lid.
Correction #1
Adjust/roll the folding top forward by adjusting the lower B-pillar stop:
Important
BEFORE making this adjustment, check the #1 bow guide pin alignment to the header receivers. Rolling the top forward will bring the pins forward relative to the receivers. ONLY perform this adjustment if the guide pin alignment will allow the resulting movement.
1. Open the folding top.
Important
Ensure that the B-pillar stops are adjusted parallel, side to side. Adjusting only one side will cause the top to move cross-car, as well as forward.
2. With the folding top stowed in the rear compartment, access the lower B-pillar stop (1) by lifting the side flipper door (2).
Note
When adjusting the jamb nut, do not exceed a distance (3) of 21 mm (0.827 in) from the top of the jamb nut to the bottom of the adjuster stop nut.
3. Loosen the adjuster jamb nut (2).
4. Mark the adjuster stop to aid in determining the amount of adjustment.
Note
Turning the adjuster stop bolt inward will move the top forward and bring the #1 bow down. This adjustment will move the top forward on the side adjusted, creating clearance between the #5 bow and the tonneau.
5. Tighten the adjuster stop (1) by turning the nut one turn at a time.
6. Raise and check the top for proper adjustment. Readjust as needed.
7. Check the alignment of the front guide pins with their receivers. The front guide pins should be aligned so that when the top is raised, the pins drop into the receivers.
8. Position the folding top with the #1 bow and the #5 bow up.
9. Tighten the adjuster jamb nut (1).
Tighten
Tighten the nut to 12 Nm (9 lb ft).
Correction #2
Adjust/rotate the #5 bow forward by shortening the #5 bow pressure link (1), providing clearance to the tonneau:
Important
Before making this adjustment, check the #5 bow to tonneau protector strip compression. Making this adjustment will cause a decrease in the compression pressure of the #5 bow to the tonneau. If the pressure is reduced too much, the #5 bow may lift when the vehicle is driven at higher speeds and increased wind noise or water leaks may result.
1. Position the folding top with the #1 bow and the #5 bow up.
Important
When adjusting the pressure links, each side should be adjusted evenly.
2. Loosen the jam nut (1) where the adjuster attaches to the #5 bow.
3. Mark the pressure link large adjustment nut (2) to aid in determining the amount of adjustment.
Tip
The large adjustment nut has reverse threads. Rotate the nut counterclockwise to shorten the link and decrease the downward pressure of the #5 bow on the tonneau.
4. Adjust/shorten the pressure link by rotating the large adjustment nut one turn at a time.
Note
The maximum measurement (3) on the pressure link is 32 mm (1.3 in) from the top of the threads to the bottom of the large adjustment nut.
5. Raise and check the top for proper adjustment. Lower the top and re-adjust the pressure link as necessary.
6. Check the gap between the tonneau (2) and the #5 bow top cover material (1). The gap between the tonneau and the top material should be 5 mm (0.2 in) and should be consistent all the way across.
7. Position the folding top with the #1 bow and the #5 bow up.
8. Tighten the jamb nut (1).
Tighten
Tighten the nut to 14 Nm (10 lb ft).
Correction #3
Reposition the tonneau fore/aft to open up the clearance of the tonneau to the #5 bow:
Important
Take care to not adjust the gaps too narrow. This may cause panel-to-panel contact as the deck lid or tonneau are opened.
1. Check the fore/aft gaps of the tonneau to the quarter panel at the front and the deck lid at the rear, as well as the gap of the deck lid to the fascia.
2. If the panels are positioned forward, moving the panels rearward will open up the clearance of the tonneau to the #5 bow.
Correction #4
Shorten the #4 bow to side rail link tension strap to increase tension on the #5 bow, providing clearance to the tonneau:
Note
For illustration purposes, the above and following graphic show the folding top in closed position with the top cover and headliner removed.
Tip
Shown in a top view above, the tension strap is riveted to the side rail link on one end (1) and secured to the underside of the #4 bow by a screw, on the other end (2).
1. Position the folding top with the #1 bow and the #5 bow up.
2. Reposition the headliner as necessary for access. Remove the underside screw (at arrow above) retaining the tension strap to the #4 bow.
3. Shortening the strap can be achieved by making a new screw hole in the strap located 6.35 mm (0.25 in) from the original hole, in the direction of the opposite end still attached.
4. Reinstall the strap to the #4 bow installing the retaining screw through the new hole.
Important
Whenever the tension strap is adjusted on one side, the opposite side strap must also be shortened the same amount. This is to maintain an even amount of tension all the way across the #5 bow.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 to shorten the tension strap on the opposite side.
Condition #2
Some customers may comment that when opening/closing the folding top, the tonneau latch (circled above) is hitting the front edge of folding top #1 bow.
Correction
Adjust the angle of the tonneau in the full open position by rotating the forward edge of the tonneau rearward in order to create clearance for the folding top.
Note
If only a slight adjustment is required, the tonneau hinge can be "flexed" to create clearance. Be sure to check flushness after adjusting angle and re-adjust if required.
1. Position the top and tonneau so that the latch is at the point of contact, as previously shown above.
Important
Take care to not let the tonneau slide fore-aft when adjusting the position up/down. Loosening only one nut and pivoting on the other nut works well to help control this.
2. Adjust the tonneau by loosening the nuts (1) that attach the tonneau hinge to the "L-bracket."
Tip
Make slight adjustments, one side at a time. This adjustment may affect flushness of the tonneau to the quarters/deck lid which can be adjusted using the same two nuts.
3. Rotate the forward edge of the tonneau rearward to create clearance for the folding top.
Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use the table.
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