The Rookie that I am...

[dewbers]

Guys, I need help! I had the ride out all weekend. Man, it was great! It's amazing how many people love to check these old babies out! However, I think I made a huge mistake! When I put the top down, I "closed" the handles that hold the top in place. Meaning, I opened them, but as I put the top down I closed them b/c I wanted to put the boot on and thought it was a better idea having them closed. Well, it worked, until I pushed down on the top to make the boot fit better. Evidently, I pushed in wrong the spot and SNAPPED the left handle in half! :Dou: Right in the middle of handle, the metal simply snapped. And the right side looks like it's sticking up in the air when I put the top back up, not flush with the frame. Is this something I can order and repair myself, or it is time to visit a local convertible shop for the repairs. I have to use a pair of pliers to get the hinge (handle) open and closed...... Really need your expertise guys!
Thanks,
Steve

[EEE]

Give these guys a call and see:

http://www.hydroe.com/Parts_Scissor.html
http://www.convertibleparts.com/scissor.htm

[centurion 455 ragtop]

Live and learn, it does suck. In one of the Buick manuals I remember reading that you leave the handles in an open position when the top is down as the handles will get pressured...well no need to go on you know the results. I had one that was worn and kept closing on its own when the down was being lowered. Well it did it one two many times and I got lazy not correcting it and it snapped when it was down.

You should be able to get replacements, new ones. Take your time replacing it. Any questions ask here first, they are a bit of a bitch to replace.

Another important note: When you order your new handle(s) also order two new cables that turn the gear boxes to lower the top. They connect to the motor located behind the top of the back seat, and each one goes to the gear boxes. They install fairly easy. I always keep a pair in the trunk. In case one snaps when your top is down, then your screwed cause it ain't going back up. Or worse yet if its half down or if one cable snaps, the top now gets all crooked and can't be forced othewise more damage will accure to the sizzer top. Both cables are like speedometer cables, one being longer than the other. Good insurance

[dewbers]

Thanks for sharing my pain Rick... :beers:
Both sites listed above by Kimson have the parts I need. $125 to $132.50 for the catch/release.... per side! I'm about to place the order. Your thoughts on the cables caught my attention though. The Hydro site wants $40 a piece, the Convertible service site wants $50 a piece. Pretty costly. You sure it's worth having them in the trunk at backups when you can just order them when needed? Just trying to figure if it's worth another $100 bucks on top of the $250 I am about to spend for the latches....
Thanks!
Steve

[dewbers]

Handles/latches are on the way. I didn't order the cables yet, as I am waiting for a reply from Rick. Any idea how to install the latches?? I have a Fisher Body Service Manual here, if that helps.....
Thanks guys!
Steve

[centurion 455 ragtop]

Steve

Sorry for the late reply, my computer crashed, hopefully its not the motherboard. Adam don't worry I had all backups so I lost nothing this time around. I just got done pirating my daughters computer. Man she is pissed at me! You would think I skinned her alive or something. Works fine except I get all her friends instant messages that keep popping up:D Now I know why she's mad:rooleyes2: Too bad...being I paid for the darn thing.

Anyway will get my computer back by Friday.

Now to your answer. Regarding the cables, I have not heard of any frequent failures, but with me towing to all these long distance Buick events I figured what can ruin your day more than being at a stop light and taking down the top and having a cable break:rant: . Its not a highly recommended thing to have, I just think of it as good insurance. If and when you get the free $$ it may be a good idea to have them on hand.

[dewbers]

Good to know Rick. Thanks!
Now, how about installing the latches? Is this something a novice can do, or should I reach out to someone more experienced??

BTW, don't read your daughters IM's. It just may ruin your day! You'll might got from...... :eek: to.......:bawl: to........ :Blasting:

Thanks!
Steve

[centurion 455 ragtop]

From what I remembered when I changed one latch, was the bolt holding the latch is in a tight spot. Be VERY carefull not to round it off or damage the top. I used a small open end wrench and a 1/4 inch socket. Just take your time with it. I positioned the top slightly in an open position so that you can move the front portion of the top giving some extra room for the wrench and socket.

With mine, the bolt was pretty much wiped, there must have been a gorilla that installed it. I walked away a few times when I was starting to get sloppy and rushing.

[EEE]

If you're using an open wrench, it might be worth getting a "flare wrench", or "closed wrench" to better help the bolt from not stripping, if it's a delicate bolts, and such a wrench fits in there. I just rushed a job on my transmission lines and did the mistake of using a regular open wrench. I had to come back with a set of big vise grips to get it off, and the bolt is now totally round :confused2: .

[dewbers]

I rec'd the new handles and installed them! Worked like a charm! Took about 20-30 mins to do each side! Piece of cake! If you all need to do it, go for it! Worked like a charm and the quality of the parts was top notch.
THANKS!
Steve

[GutRat]

Dewbers, which site you get them from. My drivers side is snapped off and thinking about giving my channel lock a break!

Also, any tips learned in replacement?

Thanks!

[dewbers]

Hey Gut - here's the site: http://www.convertibleparts.com/index.html

Pretty easy site to navigate. Look for the "visit our online store link"....
The parts run $132.55 a pop. Plus shipping. I replace both sides at the same time to keep them uniform looking and b/c the right side had a hairline fracture in it anyway! (I did as you're doing... wearing my vise grips out...)

From my invoice:
GM Full Size Convertible 7176 latch
$265.10 Choose Side = Both Sides (+$132.55 each)
Top Latch, 1971-1976 GM

As far as installing them, it was pretty easy. First off, the directions they come with are pretty simple and right on. The only thing I did different was when removing and replacing the bottom screw, I had the top about 2/3 of the way back. When doing the top screw, I had it about 1/3 of the way back. (the instructions say to leave the top about 3 feet off the windshield) Well that works for the top, but not the bottom. Not enough knuckle room.

Over all, you'll find it pretty easy... just move the top back and forth as you need to (your hands may be bigger or smaller) and they'll go right in. Oh yeah, almost forgot :Dou: , I used a magnetic screw driver to do this. A large one for the bottom screw and one of those small, but stout ones for the top. Again, this was a knuckle-room issue. That, and a flashlight or spot light and you'll be in like flint!! :cool:

Let me/us know how it goes. :beers:
Steve

[Boscoe]

Folded up in the owner's manual I got with my `71 convertible was a yellow half-sheet of paper titled "Top Latch Installation Instructions, 1971-76 GM Full-Size Convertibles" that includes the warning that, "Lowering a top with the lock handle in the closed or locked position causes breakage of the handle." It says that the above is a quote from the owner's manual but it isn't in the text of the `71 manual.

I suspect this warning came with replacement handles due to many of them being broken. I scanned the page and was going to attach it, but it is way over the size limit here for attachments. Anyone know how to shrink a jpeg from over 1 MB to under 195 kb?

[centurion 455 ragtop]

I'll give it a shot: marti44@comcast.net

Otherwise Adam may be able to do it.

[centurion 455 ragtop]

Resized for everyone, thanks for sending it over:xyxthumbs:

[Boscoe]

My pleasure. I hope it proves useful.