Convertible top adjustment?

[RogerD]

When I bought my 72 Spider, it was very difficult to get the driver's side top latch to fasten. Now that it spent the winter in the garage with the top down (I know, I know...) it's impossible, even after sitting in the sun all day. Is there any adjustment possible to address this, or am I looking at a new top? What do the "turnbuckle" devices between the side and rear windows do?
Thanks

[ghnl]

AFIAK, the turnbuckles tension a wire that runs along the top edge of the window opening to keep that area taut. You could try loosening the tension but I doubt that's your problem.

It is likely the top has shrunk. I'm surprised that leaving it out in the sun on a warm day didn't help. Is it a canvas or vinyl top? If it is canvas you could try getting it wet (not soaking/dripping but very damp) and THEN see if it'll stretch out in the sun (before it dries!). A vinyl top is much more likely to stretch if you get it warm enough on a sunny day.

One other thing to try is to look for a bolt or two where the top's frame attaches to the car's body behind the door opening. One is supposed to be able to adjust the height of the frame slightly by loosening those bolts. However, if it was installed with the frame in its lowest position, then that won't help.

Good luck!

[Zunige]

The top will stretch, just give it time... It's really important to determine exactly why the top is not latching down. Sometimes, it is not that the top doesn't stretch, but that the fit is not exact. Wiggling things a bit or even undoing the hardware and re-doing it may correct a small misalignment. (This is very subtle, and you need to make sure that you have a small punch to re-position parts, etc. Tedious work, but well worth it, if this is the issue...)

Best regards,

[ghnl]

Here's a link to the Alfa Top Installation Manual

And here's a picture of the frame height adjustment bolts: (stolen from
this thread)

[RogerD]

Thanks! I was just about to ask if there of pictures of any of this. The top is vinyl, but there no hot days scheduled for a while up here, so it might be a few weeks before I can see wheter it will stretch out. I'll see if I can find some slack in the system to move around.

[RayKiszely]

Shame on you, I thought all guys knew about "major shrinkage" (Seinfeld)
Two solutions. One for Vinyl. One for Fabric. For vinyl, Get your hair drier and sit inside the car, and warm it up. Not to close, you don't want to burn it, just stretch it a little. For fabric, I had one with "major shrinkage", solution use a good wall paper steamer on the outside. Nice and warm to hot and moist, took about 45 minutes to stretch the top about 2 inches. Good luck

[Peter]

you'll get it right.....My top had not been up for three years or so, talking about Major Shrinkage Getting it wet, fiddling, pushing pulling and yelling...finally managed to get it latched. Let it sit for a week or so before taking it down again, and it's a lot easier now

[RogerD]

Thanks for all the hints. Looks like I'll be trying to (gently) heat and stretch and maybe mess with some bolts. (The link to the instruction manual failed) Maybe some filing, although that's scary.

[Nicola]

Roger,
These are all good directions for dealing with "shrinkage". As was noted, PATIENCE must be applied throughout the whichever process with which you decide to proceed. Moisture probably works better with canvas, heat with vinyl, but....not too hot, and especially...not too hot too soon.
Dare I say, (like a woman) Warm her up slowly and she'll be more pliable as time goes by.

[Erik]

When I got my Spider, its been stood for 2-3 years and had same problem, nearly impossible to lock left latch.
My top is canvas and I had to loosen the back fixes a little (can't be moved much anyway), that helped, still not easy but Ok when you've got the nack.
Erik

[John Gallagher]

A few hot wet bath towels works well on vinyl.