Convertable top problems

[97gsturbospyder]

My spyder is having problems with the top, the first bar will slip outa place and bend the support bars when you try to open it, has anyone else had the poblem?

[gs-t spyder]

ya mine does the same thing the easy way around it is to first bend the bard back then everytime you open it you nee do make sure to push the bar back with the top so it doesnt bend. i think the elastic that is supposed to help pull it back gets streached out enough and cant help it enough but i hope this works for you mine does the same thing and that is what i do.

[96spyderman]

Yup... I gotta do the same thing... it's like second nature now!!!! lol

[spyderturbo007]

Originally Posted by 97gsturbospyder

My spyder is having problems with the top, the first bar will slip outa place and bend the support bars when you try to open it, has anyone else had the poblem?

Isn't there a TSB on this? I think there is a "repair kit" from the dealer that will keep you from bending the support bar. I would guess that you will now have to replace the bent support bars and buy the kit. You might want to call the dealer or check out www.alldata.com. Here it is I found if for you:

99-42A-007 JUN 99 Top Stack (Convertable Top) - Bent Control Link

Call the dealer and ask them about TSB# 99-42A-007.

Good Luck!

[BoostedSpyder]

here are the probs i have had:

the big screws holding the arms together at about the window seal [between the 2] needed to be tightened once in a while.

the drive gears are plastic and are prone to shaving off all the teeth after a while.

other than that i never had any other problems. other than the weather lining rot off and leak everywhere from rain...

but i got a 100% new top, weather seals, frame, and motors, so i got no probs anymore...

[LittleGSEclipse]

I'm with Vince. I replaced my whole top. And I have no problems whatsoever. Before I installed the new top I sprayed it with 2 cans of 3M Scotch Gaurd. And I tell you what. It works great....It repells stains & water like its nobody business. The water just beads off and the stains wipe right off.

[Spyderman96]

This is the one thing that sucks about Spyder-s. If you have leaks you can't go threw a car wash. Vince i sent you an e mail, get back at me dawg

[spyderturbo007]

Originally Posted by LittleGSEclipse

I'm with Vince. I replaced my whole top.

Did you replace the seals when you did the top? How much did all of the parts cost and did you do the labor yourself?

[LittleGSEclipse]

I really couldnt tell you what everything cost. I girl I was hookin up with baught the top for me. But I did do the labor myself. It was a pain in the ass. But not unbearable. Took me 2 days working at a slow pace.

[musicman181]

wzup homey. i dont have any advice but check this out. when you get it fixed try a whole different style . im talkin hard top. simply find carbon fiber boards for cheap, bolts and screws. and go crazy. mold the carbon fiber to match the original top. bolt and screw at the top and bottom, and you will have a fly hard top convertible. and trust me the girls will really dig it. that was the breakdown from the one and only musicman181 hola at ya boy and tell me what you think. piece up AIG TOWN down.

[Spyderman96]

Originally Posted by musicman181

wzup homey. i dont have any advice but check this out. when you get it fixed try a whole different style . im talkin hard top. simply find carbon fiber boards for cheap, bolts and screws. and go crazy. mold the carbon fiber to match the original top. bolt and screw at the top and bottom, and you will have a fly hard top convertible. and trust me the girls will really dig it. that was the breakdown from the one and only musicman181 hola at ya boy and tell me what you think. piece up AIG TOWN down.

Sorry Musicman, that doesn't make it a Spyder

[Zero8985]

Originally Posted by musicman181

wzup homey. i dont have any advice but check this out. when you get it fixed try a whole different style . im talkin hard top. simply find carbon fiber boards for cheap, bolts and screws. and go crazy. mold the carbon fiber to match the original top. bolt and screw at the top and bottom, and you will have a fly hard top convertible. and trust me the girls will really dig it. that was the breakdown from the one and only musicman181 hola at ya boy and tell me what you think. piece up AIG TOWN down.

Sup, Playa!!! I'm not a specialists in convertible tops... But i'm pretty positive it takes more than car carbon fiber boards, bolts, and screws to make a safe, functional, and descent looking and fitting convertible top. I'm pretty positive that it would "fly" right off the car, and the girls would dawg the shit out of you. What's the point of making a hardtop convertible if your going to have more problems creating it than you would just fixing a ragtop and dealing with the problems they have. Besides, even though they are absolutely sexy with the top down, the top being up doesn't look horrible at all, i see no point in screwing with it. That was the breakdown from Zero8985, hola at ya boys if you decide to get a spyder and try it on your own, then tell us what you think. BTW, i'm just messing you, man, because reading the way you type is hilarious.

I instinctively guide the bar back while putting the top down, and never think twice. The only problem i've had is when i let someone else like my family drive it and they try and put the top down. I always warn them to guide the bar, but nobody ever listens. It's so horrifying to see them drive up when they think the top is all the way down and it's still a good 5 inches up, and the support bars are bent, and the bar is lying above the back seat because it never rotated.

[Spyderman96]

Has anyone ever had a problem with the Top not closing once it's been opened?

That's a nightmare I hope i never have to deal with

[Zero8985]

When i first got my spyder, i was afraid of that until i found out about the switch in the driverside taillight compartment that shuts the motor off to the top, and lets you put the top up manually.

[Spyderman96]

Wow.. good info. Thanks man