89 cabrio top bar snapped

david482 · 06-09-2011, 05:27 PM

Hi All,

Just picked up an 89 cabrio in great condition. In the process of driving from CA to KS. Car is running great went to put top down, it has never had a problem since new, there was a funny popping noise and before I could release the button a loud pop. Turns out the steel bar on the drivers side back area of the top actually snapped, there are two bars that pivot on both the drivers side and passenger side, the ones on the drivers side do not move in the same direction. One moves forward one back around the pivot. I will post some pictures when I get a chance. Are there any good sources for the mechanical top parts, the top is only a few years old? Any help would be appreciated.

david482 · 06-09-2011, 05:54 PM

Forgot to ask does anyone know a good conv top shop in the KC area?

sundevil64 · sundevil64's Garage

I have a convertible top on an 86 that I'm parting that is in good shape. Send me a pic of what you need.

david482 · 06-09-2011, 06:38 PM

This shows the actual break

david482 · 06-09-2011, 06:41 PM

I think this is rotated the correct way

david482 · 06-12-2011, 08:31 AM

I got a chance to look more closely and the bar shaped as did the mount for the motor in the drivers side. It looks like a housing. Any one know a source for these parts and possibly an explosion diagram for the mechanical part of the top.

david482 · 06-12-2011, 02:19 PM

After a lot of research what has broken is the main bow on the drivers side. I guess this is a pricy part. If nyone has one please let me know. The transmission housing mounting bracket also broke but from what I have read going manual mit be a better option.

kidrock · 06-13-2011, 03:14 PM

Try Rick Bolen at Weekend Rides LLC. Do a Google search.

David_B · David_B's Garage

Mine has been broken for a couple years now. I just support the weight on the drivers side when I put the top down, but mine is a manual top. I have wondered about getting it welded up, since I the new the part was like $1500 cdn. It's also hard to find used since most people want to sell a complete top. Does anyone know what causes this? It doesn't look like it would be under much stress.

david482 · 06-14-2011, 03:19 PM

I did the manual conversion and can get the top up and down. Just worried that the bow is going to ter the top as it looks to have a sharp edge to the break. I was looking to see if anyone had somehow braced the bow either using the existing bolts that go through or something on the side. As for a more permanent fix has anyone found a good diagram or instruction for removing the bow?

david482 · 06-16-2011, 07:06 AM

Here's another question, how can I disconnect the top warning light, since I have converted the top to manual up/down I removed the bars attached to the motors and as such the microswitches do not get depressed. I guess I can pull the bulb?

My other question is not that I have disconnected the motors do I need to lock the top down in some way while driving. I remember having an old VW convertible that had a mechanical lock that held the top down. This one seems to go lower but I would hate to have it lift up while driving.

ystarrev · 06-16-2011, 07:36 AM

Been there, done that. Dealer wanted 3800. Its made of cast aluminum. The whole thing is detailed in:
Broken Top Bow on 88 Cabriolet

david482 · 06-16-2011, 10:18 AM

Thanks for pointing out that thread, my search missed that one, how much of the top must be disassembled to access the main bow, form your picture it was tough to tell. I did notice the putty knife so I am assuming there are glued parts that must be separated.

ystarrev · 06-16-2011, 10:26 AM

You have to take it mostly apart. Its not too painful once you get started. This thread was helpful:
Convertible Top Help

If I were smarter I would have replaced the top at the same time but there was real time pressure to get the car back on the road.