Convertible Latch Adjustment

[NasaGT]

Howdy all,

Can anybody describe how to adjust the latch on a vert to pull the top down tighter onto the top of the windshield?

The passenger side latch on my car doesn't pull my top nearly as snug as the driver side latch does. You can see the gap is much larger. I looked at the latch, but didn't see anything obvious without taking parts off the car.

Thanks in advance!

 

[NasaGT]

Anbody?

 

[Beabout]

Howdy all,

Can anybody describe how to adjust the latch on a vert to pull the top down tighter onto the top of the windshield?

The passenger side latch on my car doesn't pull my top nearly as snug as the driver side latch does. You can see the gap is much larger. I looked at the latch, but didn't see anything obvious without taking parts off the car.

Thanks in advance!

Get the service manual or take it to a good convertable top shop which is what I do...

 

[NasaGT]

Beabout - thanks for that. I've got the 2001 Service Manual (year before my car) but can't find anything about the top latch mechanism. I was hoping someone would know about it before I just tore into myself. I'd rather have a little idea of what needs to be done than none .... ya know?

 

[Mel96GT]

The hooks in the latch are threaded so you can adjust them by turning. You may need to adjust both sides to get an even fit. When you pull down the top to the windshield frame, tug on the frame but do NOT tug down on the latch handles. Also check the latches to make sure they are not bent and check the little bar where the hook connects on the windshield frame. Good luck.

 

[NasaGT]

The hooks in the latch are threaded so you can adjust them by turning. You may need to adjust both sides to get an even fit. When you pull down the top to the windshield frame, tug on the frame but do NOT tug down on the latch handles. Also check the latches to make sure they are not bent and check the little bar where the hook connects on the windshield frame. Good luck.

When I first realized there was a problem I tried to adjust the latch by turning threaded part. I couldn't get them to budge - but I didn't try very hard since I wasn't sure if that was the way to adjust them or not. I'll try again tonight.

Thanks!

 

[Robs96]

There is a screw that you have to remove that is located where the hook is. Remove that and turn the hook till you have it where you want it and put the screw back in.

 

[NasaGT]

There is a screw that you have to remove that is located where the hook is. Remove that and turn the hook till you have it where you want it and put the screw back in.

Ahhhh! Thanks - I'll look for that! Makes sense I suppose.

 

[NasaGT]

Just to close this thread out for anyone who might search and find this, Robs96 was dead on. There is a little set screw on the side of the hook. Loosen the set screw, adjust hook, tighten set screw. Took 3 minutes to do, now my top latches evenly on both sides. Air noise when driving greatly reduced as well.

Thanks for eveyone's help!

 

[steve_stang2003]

Just to close this thread out for anyone who might search and find this, Robs96 was dead on. There is a little set screw on the side of the hook. Loosen the set screw, adjust hook, tighten set screw. Took 3 minutes to do, now my top latches evenly on both sides. Air noise when driving greatly reduced as well.

Thanks for eveyone's help!

Not to hijack the thread, but it sounds like you have the same crap FSM as I do.
Nothing in mine about the top, body etc either.
Oh well, what can I expect from ebay.
I should have known when I had to change the date on my computer just to get it to run

 

[Robs96]

If anyone needs help with verts I have a lot of hands on with top replacement and adjustment.

 

[Lawdawg86]

If anyone needs help with verts I have a lot of hands on with top replacement and adjustment.

I need help, my piece in the middle by the drivers window is sagging. I tried to loosen the bolts at the adjustment lever behind kick panel in back, as well as the gear to take the slack out of the two joints. It never fixed it. I put new weatherstripping thinking that would help at it didn’t. How do I adjust the sagging in the middle by the window. I can’t get anyone to help me, I have a broken back and can’t travel the 3 hours it takes to get to a guy who works on upholstery and tops. I never found that balance link adjustment screw like everyone talked about. Does my 1994 GT Vert even have one. I’ll send the pics of the part they showed me, and the gap I’m talking about. It causes the window to be at or nearly above convertible top and the passenger side fits perfect. I’m almost out of options, I am tired of seeing that sag. I’m about to just sell it if I can’t get it fixed.

 

[Robs96]

I need help, my piece in the middle by the drivers window is sagging. I tried to loosen the bolts at the adjustment lever behind kick panel in back, as well as the gear to take the slack out of the two joints. It never fixed it. I put new weatherstripping thinking that would help at it didn’t. How do I adjust the sagging in the middle by the window. I can’t get anyone to help me, I have a broken back and can’t travel the 3 hours it takes to get to a guy who works on upholstery and tops. I never found that balance link adjustment screw like everyone talked about. Does my 1994 GT Vert even have one. I’ll send the pics of the part they showed me, and the gap I’m talking about. It causes the window to be at or nearly above convertible top and the passenger side fits perfect. I’m almost out of options, I am tired of seeing that sag. I’m about to just sell it if I can’t get it fixed.

I have to be honest and say that I haven't had that car in over 10 years now, and that was the last time I owned a convertible anything. I couldn't even remember my user name or password to log back in so I had to reset to reply lol. I can't really remember what all I did back then, but there are adjustment screws. Another issue with sag could be that the top isn't completely tight and allowing it to bow. As the top goes up all slack is removed to make it a tight part of the car frame. That being said, a 94 would be the same as my old 96. Wish I could be of more help, but that was a long time ago, and many other cars since.

 

[Lawdawg86]

I have to be honest and say that I haven't had that car in over 10 years now, and that was the last time I owned a convertible anything. I couldn't even remember my user name or password to log back in so I had to reset to reply lol. I can't really remember what all I did back then, but there are adjustment screws. Another issue with sag could be that the top isn't completely tight and allowing it to bow. As the top goes up all slack is removed to make it a tight part of the car frame. That being said, a 94 would be the same as my old 96. Wish I could be of more help, but that was a long time ago, and many other cars since.

I’m the same way brother, I’ve owned soooo many cars in the last few years I can’t keep track of all of them. I wish I’d have never sold my 2000 New Edge V6 hardtop for this 94 GT convertible. Yeah it’s got more options than my V6 had but the convertible part is killing me. There’s really no support out there to try and help anyone fix these issues, I know others have had the same problem because I’ve seen it posted, but everyone else caves and takes it to a shop. I’m a medically disabled police chief and ASE tech who receives disability so I’m not like these other guys who just up and send their cars in. I broke my back and had to have a knee replacement after a Eaton Fuller transmission out of a International semi truck fell on me. So I’m limited to what I can do, but I’d push my limits and suffer the pain a few days if I could fix the situation and save myself some money doing it on my own. Oh, how I miss the days of being young, fixing cars to resale them, and make cash to buy more. That V6 only had 120k miles on it, 5 speed with cruise, and all I had to put into it was brakes, and two rotors. I will say this about the 94-95, they’re easier to work on due to several factors but I’d take a hard top any day of the week, and for all the crap talking the V6 got from others, there’s one thing It beat the GT on and that was fuel economy. I may try and fix this one up a little more and sell it for a bit of a profit to get another, or just buy a GM product which I could work on with my eyes closed