Convertible - Top Cover Shows Wear or Permanent Damage
File In Section: 10 - BodyBulletin No.: 73-10-60B
Date: August, 1998
Subject:
Convertible Top Cover Shows Wear or Permanent Damage in Various Areas (Perform Repair Procedure(s))
Models:
1995-97 Chevrolet Cavalier (Convertible)
1995-97 Pontiac Sunfire (Convertible)
This bulletin is being revised to add labor time information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 73-10-60A (Section 10-Body)
Condition
Some owners may comment on the convertible top cover showing wear or permanent damage at one or more of the following locations: near the top of the quarter windows, midway down on the sail panels, near the ends of the back belt molding or above the quarter panel belt outer molding.
Cause
Condition may be due to one or more of the following. Refer to Figures 1 - 6.
a. Sharp edge at top of the rear rails,
b. Misalignment of No. 4 bow slats,
c. Protruding back belt molding attaching studs,
d. Protruding quarter belt tackstrip rivets,
e. Missing or damaged balance link covers,
f. Sharp ends at the No. 4 bow.
Correction
Remove convertible top cover. Refer to Topcover Assembly in Section 10-9 of the 1995/96 J-Platform Service Manual Update.
a. If condition is due to sharp edge at top of the rear rails:
1. Dress the crown edge to a smooth, approximately 3.18 mm (0.125 in.) radius using a small fine-tooth file. Refer to Figure 7.
2. Touch-up paint as required.
b. If condition is due to misalignment of No. 4 bow slats:
1. Open the convertible top to the 3/4 open position.
2. With an assistant holding the No. 4 bow up until it stops, measure and mark 177.8 mm (7.0 in.) up from the top of the No. 4 bow slat attaching bolt at both sides of the vehicle. Measure the distance between the No. 4 bow slats and the rear rails; the distances left to right should be equal within 1.6 mm (0.063 in.) side to side. Refer to Figure 8.
3. Close the convertible top halfway.
4. Standing outside the vehicle at the side which has the lesser of the two distance dimensions, push on the No. 4 bow and bend the slats until the distances are within specification. Continually check the distances while bending the slats. Refer to Figure 9.
c. If condition is due to protruding back belt molding attaching studs:
1. Grind the studs at each side flush with the nuts. Refer to Figures 10 - 11.
2. Clean the area around the nuts with a clean cloth dampened with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.
3. Install loop fastener vertically over the nuts.
d. If condition is due to protruding quarter belt tackstrip rivets:
1. Inspect the first and second rivet at both sides of the vehicle; rivet length of more than 3.18 mm (0.125 in.) from vehicle body will require grinding. The first rivet at each side may be covered with a sealing patch that will need to be removed. Refer to Figures 12 - 13.
2. Grind the rivets until they are within the limit. Be careful not to grind too much of the rivet.
3. Clean the area around the rivets which were ground down with a clean cloth dampened with isopropyl (rubbing alcohol).
4. Install loop fastener vertically over all the rivets.
e. If condition is due to missing or damaged balance link covers:
1. Open the convertible top to the 1/2 open position.
2. Apply weatherstrip adhesive to the inside surface and along the split of the balance link cover. Refer to Figure 14.
3. Install the balance link cover, P/N 12368122. Make sure that the top of the balance link cover is at the second bend of the balance link. Refer to Figure 15.
4. Repeat for the other side.
f. If condition is due to sharp ends at the No. 4 bow:
1. Dress the ends to a smooth radius using a small fine-tooth file. Refer to Figure 16.
Install convertible top cover. Refer to Topcover Assembly in Section 10-9 of the 1995/96 J-Platform Service Manual Update.
Parts Information
Parts are currently available from GMSPO.
Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use the table.