Targa bar rivets ... Why??
 

Had a devil of a time installing those plastic 'rivets' through my new front targa bar
seal, into the targa bar. And I used the proper tool. 2 of 4 didn't seat well.

My question: What is the purpose of the rivets? The seal is attached to the bar with
weatherstripping adhesive anyway. Car is '86. Seems like maybe I could just leave them
out ... though heaven forbid, that would NOT BE "CORRECT"!! :eek: :eek:

With 71 readers and no replies, I'm guessing the plastic pegs are useless??

I have a brand new set sitting on my bench. Sounds like they are huge pain to put in. So I have been avoiding it all together.

Don't even try!! I managed to put a small divot in the targa bar interior vinyl mostly due to my impatience with my installation'tool' and a heavy mallet :mad:

Oh man that would be a disaster since I just reupholstered everything. Sounds like I might have to put them aside and not worry about them. The seal seems to be in rock solid even without glue. Not sure why/if they are even necessary.

Mine all went in pretty easily, except for the ones that had pieces of the old rivets in the holes. One of the two on the driver side was totally clean, and went in no problem. So maybe your problem is old rivets in the holes? Did you check? I was able to fish around in there with a pick and find old pieces, removed some but not all.

I didn't heat or do anything except build the threaded rod tool. I snapped off a screwdriver handle and put my threaded rod into it. A few taps with a deadblow and it was in. Did not find it that difficult. As anything, be patient and get ready to pull back if you aren't successful.

My car did not have them for who knows how long, though. And I am not sure if it caused any problems, but putting them on (along with a new top) did stop my water leak.. I think their purpose is to keep the seal on the targa bar compressed enough so that the top can go back. My seal is old and has/had swollen past the pin receptacle, which was pushing the top forward. The rivets fixed that. If you don't have a swollen seal, I wouldn't worry about having them or not having them.

you can see a bunch of pictures of my top and seal here: https://www.icloud.com/photostream/#A25yeZFhvcMhV

(no rivet photos though unfortunately, will try to post some)

There's also a weight reduction angle here. Must be AT LEAST 2 grams of unneeded plastic!

Did you warm the plugs at all? I used a heat gun and I think I over did it.

Maybe just hot water and then some KY or glycerin to lube?

My success rate was about 50%.

I tried a couple of them and decided to bag it after breaking one and bending another. I can't seem to find the holes in the targa bar. They don't seem to have much purpose anyway. Considering a squirt of caulk close up the hole and leave it at that.

Whole process was kinda a pain.

With the little pegs on the ends - those are supposed to go into the hole in the door seal? Looked that way, but was not too sure.

My other thought was to cut the heads off the rivets and glue them on the seal - then it would look correct and I could have a beer for my trouble :-)

Well, I gave up and cut the ends off, then shoved them in the holes. Friction fit seems adequate, no glue.

A photo would help. Since I don't have a Targa, I simply read for interest but I still have no idea what this is about.

Sorry, don't mean to hijack this thread but I checked out your photos and videos. Were you able to stop the leaks you were experiencing with your Targa top. It looks like you reconditioned your top and seals. I wasn't able to follow your repair. Would like to know more. I'm experiencing a leak on the driver's side front.

With the tool that universeman made, we were also able to get mine put in properly also after four years of being half installed. I wouldn't say they went in easily, but the tool made all the difference, as well as making sure we were hammering them in at the correct angle. Like many things in these cars, I am sure they serve some unfathomable critical purpose. You know, like those elastic straps under the rear seat back carpet... :D