Convertible top won't latch on Passenger side!

**ArmyWarrant** · 07-02-2010, 03:05 AM

Ok I got the 87 GT vert and have realized after the fact that the passenger side of the top won't latch. My first thought was "great the body's twisted", but I went through and took some measurements of both sides of the car.

Measurement #1

From top of a pillar to top of quarter panel right behind the door

both sides measure 33"

From top of upper hinge to bottom corner of door opening

both sides measure right around 53"

From top of lower hinge to top corner of quarter panel where it meets quarter window

Both sides measure right around 52"

Now correct me if I am wrong but would here be a difference in measurements if the body was twisted?

Anyone have any ideas as to why the passenger side won't latch?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Chris

**ArmyWarrant** · 07-06-2010, 09:37 PM

Anyone?

**cwh19** · 07-06-2010, 09:41 PM

Is the actual top frame bent?

**ArmyWarrant** · 07-06-2010, 09:53 PM

I looked and there doesn't appear to be any bent pieces but I don't exactly have a calibrated eye lol. I'm thinking of taking the top off and seeing if the frame will latch by its self. This is going to be a big downer if it is the top frame or the body's twisted.

**cwh19** · 07-06-2010, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by ArmyWarrant

I looked and there doesn't appear to be any bent pieces but I don't exactly have a calibrated eye lol. I'm thinking of taking the top off and seeing if the frame will latch by its self. This is going to be a big downer if it is the top frame or the body's twisted.

Yea that would suck. On my white car I have to pull the passenger side down prety hard. Does the latch itself not line up or does it just not come down all the way.

**ArmyWarrant** · 07-06-2010, 10:58 PM

It looks lined up but it isn't coming over the windshield far enough to let the latch reach or the guide pin to reach the hole it goes into.

**ArmyWarrant** · 07-12-2010, 07:51 PM

Well I think I found the problem! I was looking around the frame and behind the rear interior panels and found that both cylinders are broke, well the mounting plastic on the top of them are. So I am hoping that is the the only problem beside the top fabric itself needing replaced. I am hoping that I kept the old cylinders off my first convertible. If not it seems to be an easier fix than the frame being bent

**Josh00 GT** · 07-22-2010, 05:05 PM

haha yeah seems like you got lucky, I had an insident a few weeks ago at prp where my buddy i road up with didnt pull the latch on the drivers side of my stang completely down. It started to come up when i made my first run!! lol so i find myself holding onto my roof while flying down the track. Fortunatly it didnt bend or that would have sucked real bad.

**ArmyWarrant** · 07-22-2010, 05:56 PM

Well I got it to latch, it took me and my buddy to do it so I am thinking the frame is bent, I disconnected the passenger side cylinder and he pulled on it while I latched it.

It is now sitting in va and I have my GTI with me in SC. Hopefully I can work on it on the weekends I am home.