Hardtop almost flew off

[SHADOW]

I took the car ('94) out late last night for a run - hit about 125 on 91 here in CT. At that speed, I suddenly noticed a major draft - the top was lifting in the back. By the time I got pulled over, it one bolt on the driver's side in the rear of the hardtop came unsecured, and got up over the edge of the top of the car. Anyway, as it did that, it scraped up the inside of the flat part of the car right above where the screw hole is. I have not had the top off at all since I got the car - am I correct in saying that the plastic piece that you put on when the top is off will cover my scratched area? Also, you guys think I should touch up the scrape? What is the solution to these bolts coming undone? Lock-tite? Anyone else have this happen?

Dave.

 

[BADVENOM]

dont put loctite on you will not be able to loosen them easily when you put the sport pad on.

 

[GR8_ASP]

I have had the sport cap pad screws loosen on me. No hard top and I had never touched the screws previously.

On another note I had the softtop lift just as you described. Scared the H out of me when I looked over my shoulder and saw daylight but no harm was done. Heard horror stories of tops coming off when one of the front latches was not engaged properly. Not mine. Tested at 170+ and no issue beyond the flapping.

 

[jimandela]

the screws are know to loosen on the top.
even my 01 top had a problem when the screws holding the latches worked themselves
loose. very scary situation when all the sudden you have breeze....

all hardtops need to be checked occassionally for loose screws.

 

[RX VIPER]

Mine came loose off my '93 on the front passenger side pin at about 80. I heard a cracking noise and looked over and saw a couple inches of sky up there. I was just thankful it stayed on and that it didn't 'sail' into the winshield of the car behind me. I always double checked the front latches from that point on. I didn't have a problem with back ones, but don't forget to check the fronts too!

 

[thebigsnake]

I had an old 911 Targa once and the roof flew off. I was never comfortable with it after that and decided to stick with the coupes. They're the best looking anyway.