Hard Top Troubles!

[slaughterj]

Took my hard top in to get the front latches replaced under warranty, and the latch kits had wider screws that the stock latches, potentially to make them stronger because of problems people had had in the past like mine where a screw actually snapped off. Anyway, this meant the viper tech had to use his hole-widening tool (on the hard top screw hole!), but the tip broke off in the hole?! He tried to get it out to no avail, but broke two other tools in the process?! (BTW, he's a good tech, fixed a lot of things in the past on the car, including each window mechanism and the hard top rear latches.) So he said he would call DC to see what do about it, whether they would want to /would have any way to fix it at this point, or whether a replacement would be in order. Anyone ever have any experience with this?

 

[Tiepilot]

I hope they do the right thing and replace your top!

 

[SNAKOIL VA]

If it broke off in the metal, just drill and tap the next larger size. No big deal.

Heat will sometines make it looser as well.

I've also seen really good welders tack weld a stud onto the broken part and back it out.

Then switch to grade 8 or AN fasteners.

 

[Vip-RT10]

John, there is a tool to remove broken bolts. I think it is called a bolt tap? Anyways, you drill a hole in the middle of the broken bolt, insert the right size tool and turn counter clockwize. The more it turns, the more it digs itself in, resulting in the bolt to be loosened. Try that.

 

[jimandela]

I would say a new top is in order!
then trade it for a v-mania top.

goodluck
JIM

 

[slaughterj]

The problem is that the piece that broke off is not a solid shaft, but rather looks like a "t" or a cross, so it isn't easy to ********* the center piece on it - he tried the drill technique, but that was one of the tools he broke in the process!