Convertible top issue

[alweb]

My 86 has a manual top which is in good condition. 4 weeks a ago I noticed a small crack right next to that plastic triangle part on the passenger side. Every time I open/close the top the crack seems to get bigger. The driver side is ok. I suspect that somehow the alignment of the top is off, but all gaps etc look ok. Has anybody had a similar issue and knows how to fix this? Pictures below.
Thanks, Alex

[donagain1]

That appears to be on the outside of the pocket that the spring tensioning rod slips through, so it's probably binding against the brittle canvas as it stretches/eases when the top is being raised/lowered, causing the tear. You didn't mention how old the top is, but UV is not a friend to the material. As far as needing to patch it, I don't know how one would go about it. As far as leakage, it shouldn't be an issue as the back panel canvas is contact cemented to the metal hoop in that area beneath the overlay of the front section. It just looks "tacky" to you, but is one of those little signs that we see now and again that's a harbinger of the sounds of a credit card being swiped.

Don

[donagain1]

Oh, and BTW, the arc contour of the plastic thingy is designed to cover over the arc of the edge binding seam which you'll see has a similar radius. I suppose that there's some off-chance that the position of the plastic cover aided the cracking of the canvas at that point, not that there's much that can be done about it at this juncture.

Don