Broken Convertible Top (Header)

1992 Geo metro convertible

Needs header for the top. That's the plastic piece across the front that has the latches. Mine is cracked on the side where the frame bolts connect to the header.

Right now, it's at a body shop. They've tried to repair the cracked plastic using fiberglass glue. But when they were tightening the bolts, it cracked again. They're going to try using a piece of sheetmetal like a bandaid around the crack to see if that'll help hold it.

If anybody has a bad top with a good header, I can pay $100 plus s/h.

Thanks
Geo Hunter

I don't know where you are located but I have been getting parts for my 92 vert off a 92 Vert from a salvage lot called U wrench it is in Kansas City, Missouri at 8012 E. Truman road (816)231-1344 The part you are looking for is still there I have no way of knowing if they will salavage and ship. I also don't know how hard it would be to remove the part. But as of last sunday most of the convertible frame was still there. You might call them and see if they would help you. Good luck! P.s. if they ask its location tell them it is about six or seven rows back in their GM section,and it is white.

Thanks. The body shop was able to repair it using fiberglass glue and sheet metal. But I'm going to call the place in Kansas because this fix could be temporary.

I called U Wrench. Got a recording stating that they don't give parts info out over the phone.

Thanks anyway for the info.

Before the header broke, and even after being repaired, the top is difficult to latch unless it is above 80 degrees. Even then, it may or may not latch easily. The right side of the top doesn't reach the front latch as easily as the left. I'm thinking that its because the vinyl is old or because the frame is warped, or both. Anybody else have this problem?

I had a little trouble with mine when I first bought it the top didn't seem to sit right on the frame to the wind shield. On closer inspection I noticed that the two plastic blocks on each side that held the latches were both loose one more than the other. After I tightned them with a screwdriver the top sat more level and quit trying to come open on it's own.

I investigated it more closely this weekend and found a solution.

I removed the rear view mirror, sun visors and plastic that runs across the top of the windshield so I could see the latch blocks better. The one that was giving the problem was slightly lower, so I raised it as far as I could, which was just a fraction.

I then realized that the problem latch was bent. I don't know how I'm going to straigten it. It's steel and I've tried a chisel but it didn't budge.

I also noticed that the problem side was slightly farther away from the front of the car than the other side. And the top was about a half inch away from touching the latch blocks. No matter how hard I pulled I could not get it to move forward more.

So I had three problems: A bent latch, a possibly bent frame, and a gap between the front of the top and the latch blocks.

The solution: a ratchet. I hooked a ratchet to the hole were the dome was, and hooked the other end to the center of the top frame. I clicked the ratchet a few times and it pulled the top forward until the latches were over the blocks. However, the passenger side latch was still not wanting to slip down into the latch block. At this point, the top was tight, but I clicked the ratchet once more and that enabled the latch to slip in.

So now the top is up, and I know how to get it locked using the ratchet, I just wish I could find a way to straighten the latch.