Driving along the road in a & with the top down provides an exhilarating experience for drivers and passengers alike. And whether the convertible operates via power or manually, vehicle owners should keep the top in prime condition to minimize damage or wear. A damaged, worn, or improperly working top can make it difficult for vehicle owners to drive in inclement weather. When a convertible top needs replacement, convertible owners can ask a mechanic to help or do it themselves at a home garage.

Oct 04, 2012 Convertible Top Replacement Demo. The demo showed old top removal and new top installation on a Miata NB. Corvette Soft Top Install.

If installing at home, make sure to completely review the instruction manual and have the right tools on hand before installation. Never attempt to install a top if confused about the instructions or what tools to use. Before choosing a top, determine whether a power or manual top works best, as well as how to remove the old top.

Types of Convertible Tops The two types of are power and manual tops. The table below describes both top types. Convertible Top Type Description Raise or lower the convertible top through the push of a button; typically operates through the use of a hydraulic system This type of convertible top must be put up or down by hand; this also includes removable hard and soft shell tops Shoppers should know what type of convertible top they prefer, hard or soft, before replacing an old one, as well as the make and model of vehicle they are buying for.

How to Remove a Convertible Top Vehicle owners can save hundreds of dollars by installing a convertible top as opposed to having professionals do the job. Global Business Drivers Adalah. All it takes is a little know-how and the correct tools for the task at hand. First of all, vehicle owners must remove the old top. To successfully accomplish the following steps use a Phillips-head screwdriver, socket wrench, sockets, a flat ratchet, and a blanket. The following table details the steps for removing a convertible top. Step Description Step 1 Before beginning, check the frame. Run the top up and down to check for binding or pinching of the old top.

Also make sure both sides go up and down evenly. Note any irregularities. Finally, drape the new top over the old one to check it for fit. Step 2 Raise the top halfway.

Step 3 Find the bead that runs across the front of the top and remove it. This is the bow header strip. Held on by staples, it can be easily removed by pulling on it.

Step 4 Vehicle owners might have to remove a metal strap screwed over the edge of the bow header material. Remove the screws and the strap and set them aside. Step 5 Remove all of the staples across the top of the header bow, freeing the front of the convertible top.

Step 6 Next, owners should remove the forward most side rail and the quarter side rail weatherstrips. They run down each side and bolt on from the back of the roof rail. Step 7 Owners should look for a Phillips screw embedded in the end of the weatherstrip.

Not all tops have these screws. While looking, owners can also pull the fabric strips, which are glued to the metal, off the quarter side rails.

Step 8 Vehicle owners will next remove the side cables. They should determine which end will be the easiest to remove, and remove the end of the cable on that end. Step 9 Leaving the other end attached, pull the cables out through the pockets that line the edge of the top. Once pulled out, drape the cables inside of the vehicle. Step 10 Look for any screws attaching the top to the second and third bows. Remove them and slide the metal bars out of their pockets. Set the metal bars and screws aside.

Step 11 Raise the top to the up position and latch it. Step 12 Remove the staples holding the wire-on to the top of the rear bow. Step 13 Remove the rest of the staples holding the material to the rear bow. Owners might have difficulty in finding them and should probe around to find them all. Step 14 From inside the vehicle, remove the well, or loosen the side of the well, to gain access to a metal strip underneath.

Called the rear tack rail, owners will need to remove a series of bolts (typically, 11 to 15) with a socket wrench. Step 15 Some vehicles use a floating rear tack bar which has just a few bolts in each end. For these, owners will need a flat ratchet to gain access due to the bolts facing the outside of the car. Step 16 Once the rear tack rail is loose, go outside of the vehicle. Place a heavy blanket over the rear of the vehicle next to the convertible top opening. Step 17 Letting the blanket fall into the opening, lift the rear tack rail out of the hole. Place it on the blanket.

Step 18 Remove any staples that hold the fabric to the frame on both sides of the convertible top. The top should now be completely free of the frame. Step 19 Remove the top and set aside to use later to mark the pattern on the new top.

If needed, also replace the rear window or the pads that cushion the top when in place. This is the only time vehicle owners will have access to these items. Following the removal of the old convertible top, vehicle owners can install the new top. To accomplish the installation of the new top requires the use of the following items: a Phillips head screwdriver, staple gun, staples, socket wrench, sockets, a flat ratchet, blanket, contact cement, hammer, marker, and a piece of chalk or other removable medium.

The table below details the steps vehicle owners must take to successfully install a new convertible top. Step Description Step 1 First lay it out on a clean floor with its backside up. Nokia Pc Suite 4 81 Download Adobe more. Place the old top over the new one, lining up the edges. Mark the new top where the bolt holes go through the old top with a marker. Step 2 Next, lay the top over the frame in a position close to where it will be when installed. Step 3 Replace any metal straps in the pockets they were removed from. Step 4 Using a long wire, or coat hanger which has been straightened, bend a 'U' shape into one end.

Slide the wire through the pocket down the side and hook the side cable, pulling it back through the pocket. Repeat this process for the cable on the other side.

Step 5 Raise the frame about halfway. Owners can now reconnect the side cables to their appropriate places. Step 6 Raise the frame to the up position and latch it into place. The side cables should be tight. Owners can also align the top from side to side at this time. Step 7 Slide the top to the back or front in order to align the quarter flaps in the correct place. The seam of the quarter flap should line up with the convertible top frame.

Step 8 Beginning in at the rear quarters, staple the top to the rear tack strip. Owners should start at the end of the tack strip, or toward the front of the car.

Step 9 Once a few staples are in place, pull the quarter of the top around the bend in the tack strip. Stretch it slightly and staple the other end. Step 10 Pull down on the top at the curve until the marks made earlier line up. Step 11 Staple the top to the tack strip using sufficient staples to hold the top in place. Repeat on the other side.

Step 12 Place a few bolts in the rear tack strip. Step 13 Go to the front of the car and pull the side of the top to the front until most of the wrinkles are gone. Step 14 While pulling the top to the front, mark the top at the front edge of the frame on both sides. Step 15 Raise the top halfway again.

Step 16 Pull the front of the convertible top 1/2-inch past the front bow and fold the material under, stapling between the outer edge and the seam. Do this for both sides. Step 17 Close and latch the top.

Step 18 Check to make sure the sides and quarters are smooth and that the rear bow lines up at the darts in the top. Step 19 Also check for wrinkles at this time, marking them with chalk before loosening the top and making adjustments. Step 20 Once wrinkle free, staple the front of the top over the front bow. Step 21 Add the front roll set aside from the removal instructions above and staple into place under the flap. Step 22 Apply contact cement to the quarter and front side flaps.

Allow them to dry. Step 23 With the top latched, pull the rest of the flaps into place and glue down using contact cement. Step 24 Raise the top halfway and replace the weather stripping. Step 25 Take the wire-on and staple it across the rear bow. The flap of the wire-on should be toward the front of the vehicle. Owners should take care to apply it straight. Step 26 Bend over the top and hammer it flat.

Step 27 Reinstall the end caps. Step 28 Get inside of the car and replace the rest of the bolts in the rear tack strip. Step 29 Replace the well. The convertible top is now installed. Vehicle owners should leave the new convertible top up for at least two days or longer to allow it to set.

Find Convertible Tops on eBay After deciding whether to buy a manual or power convertible top, shoppers can buy one online at marketplaces like eBay. Once on eBay, conduct a quick search using the Search box found on any eBay page by entering keywords, such as 'leather convertible top' or 'Mustang convertible top,' for example. Review the list of convertible tops that pops up, or narrow the list down by clicking on the Categories options, including and.

Shoppers can also visit eBay's page for more advice on searching for convertible tops. Also shop for more product options. Buy Convertible Tops Online with Confidence Shopping online at eBay can be a simple and secure process.

Before bidding or making a Best Offer on any automotive product, read the details in the seller's product listing. Things to look out for include information about product quality, delivery costs, shipping insurance, and overall product cost. For buyers with more questions that aren't answered on the listing page, click the Ask a Question link to contact the seller directly.

Before bidding, remember to review the seller's feedback rating, which gives buyers a good idea of the seller's reliability and product quality. Conclusion Most often, convertible tops need replacement during the lifetime of a vehicle. Vehicle owners can pay a professional service to replace the top, but the cost of paying for installation can mean an extra few hundred dollars above the cost of the new top.

Shoppers who feel confident and knowledgeable enough can attempt to do the task themselves at a home garage, saving money. While a professional mechanic can probably do the job faster, the job can be completed at the owner's home garage in a weekend, at most.

It is important to have all the necessary tools for the job to make the removal and installation process quicker and easier. Vehicle owners also need adequate space for the convertible top removal/installation process. The ideal location would be in a garage, especially in the fall and winter months.

This will keep the interior of the vehicle dry and undamaged throughout the entire task. If unsure about the whole removal/installation process, vehicle owners should seek the help of installation professionals for more information.