Convertible top leaking like a seive

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Alleycat124

Convertible top leaking like a seive

Post by Alleycat124 »

I was coming back from my trailer in fairly heavy rains luckily I had a bag of laundry on the passenger floor. There was a towel in the top of if so I was able to soak up most of the rain coming in. it obviously is not sealing right when it is latched (not tight enough) plus the right hand latch let go on me a couple of times on the highway luckily it was not raining that day and I was able to pull over and relatch it.

Has anyone run into this before and if so any suggestions or help to resolve this would be greatly appreciated? :x
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bradartigue
Posts: 2183
Joined: Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:35 pm
Your car is a: 1970 Sport Spider
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: Convertible top leaking like a seive

Post by bradartigue »

Is the front bow bent?
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azruss
Posts: 3659
Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 12:24 pm
Your car is a: 80 Fiat 2000 FI

Re: Convertible top leaking like a seive

Post by azruss »

the latch clips on the top are adjustable. loosen the latch screws to adjust. careful not to strip the heads. A little PB plaster or WD40 would be a good idea. Look at the condition of your rubber seal on the bow. Also look at the condition of the windshield frame where the seal makes contact. Even with all this right, you can still get dripping at the corners. It does sound like your one latch is either too loose, or the weather seal is shot.
Alleycat124

Re: Convertible top leaking like a seive

Post by Alleycat124 »

Thank you I will check it all out in the spring. I am happy to hear the latches are adjustable as I do not want to cause any accidents or destroy the roof. 8)
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spiderdan
Patron 2018
Patron 2018
Posts: 831
Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:30 am
Your car is a: 1968 124 Sport Spider
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Re: Convertible top leaking like a seive

Post by spiderdan »

Hey Rick
When you get it out in the spring, we can take a trip out to Carlsbad. Dan's installed many roofs in the past (including mine) and I'm sure he'll be able to adjust/fix it.
Glad to hear you had fun (sometimes damp) your 1st year with your Spider.
Dan
1968 124 Sport Spider
"Angelina"
2015 Toyota Camry XSE (hers)
2016 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited (cottage toy)
http://s1342.photobucket.com/user/68spi ... t%20Spider
http://www.youtube.com/user/Coontache/videos
Alleycat124

Re: Convertible top leaking like a seive

Post by Alleycat124 »

spiderdan wrote:Hey Rick
When you get it out in the spring, we can take a trip out to Carlsbad. Dan's installed many roofs in the past (including mine) and I'm sure he'll be able to adjust/fix it.
Glad to hear you had fun (sometimes damp) your 1st year with your Spider.

Thanks Dan, I had a riot driving her. I would prefer since I am now supposed to be retired. Just got offered a contract with Treasury Board. When Cheryl goes out east for a month. I bring the car up to the trailer during the summer and work on her myself. I have restored a 79 Datsun 280 ZX and a 1971 BMW Motorcyle from the ground up. So I am hoping to garner enough information to do the work myself. I love researching big time. I will see Dan only if it is something mechanical I cannot figure out but good suggestion.
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