t-top trouble when cornering hard

**feelu4ia** · 07-31-2009, 10:58 AM

Yesterday, I was in first gear (2002 Collector's T/A) in the city making a sharp left hand turn at about 20mph when my passenger side t-top flew off the car and skidded across the sidewalk. Fortunately, the only damage to the top was a few scratches in the plastic.

It was latched when I started the car. It was also latched when I picked it up off of the sidewalk. Has anyone had this happen?

My best guess is the the body was a bit twisted while I was cornering and allowed one side of the t-top to come out of the mounting bracket on the body. But, I could be wrong.

**SandmanWs7** · 07-31-2009, 11:07 AM

There are a few screws that hold the female part of the ttop on the front and the rear. (the part where the nipple of the ttop goes in) All you have to do is loosen the screws and move that piece back (on the winshield ones) and the rear (on the pillar side) forward. This will allow the nipple to go further into the hole and giving you better grip.

**rbob93** · 07-31-2009, 09:21 PM

Get some sub frame connectors.....It will help.

**pajeff02** · 08-01-2009, 04:57 AM

Originally Posted by rbob93

Get some sub frame connectors.....It will help.

+1 Installed SFC's this week on our car.

**SHines-IT** · 08-01-2009, 05:20 AM

Sounds like the old Mustangs with the T-Tops, they always popped off.

**masterZ28** · 08-01-2009, 06:39 PM

Never heard of this happening.

**rbob93** · 08-02-2009, 01:43 AM

Originally Posted by masterZ28

Never heard of this happening.

Well don't ever autoX with them in or you will see it happen firsthand!

**davidws62000** · 08-02-2009, 03:26 AM

i had 2 ttop cars and have taken sharp turns before and never had that happen they always stay put maybe you could just lock your ttops in then it really shouldnt happen

**feelu4ia** · 08-04-2009, 07:58 AM

I have owned at least six 3rd gen f-bodies with t-tops over the past 16 years. I have driven them all like a bat outta hell, but have never had this happen.

What's really scary is that it took me 2 city blocks to realize it was missing (Nickelback blaring on the stereo).

I was considering subframe connectors before this happened. Now, I feel it is the only option. Although I will check to see how far the pins on the tops go into the mounts on the body and make any necessary adjustment.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

**davidws62000** · 08-04-2009, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by feelu4ia

I have owned at least six 3rd gen f-bodies with t-tops over the past 16 years. I have driven them all like a bat outta hell, but have never had this happen.

What's really scary is that it took me 2 city blocks to realize it was missing (Nickelback blaring on the stereo).

I was considering subframe connectors before this happened. Now, I feel it is the only option. Although I will check to see how far the pins on the tops go into the mounts on the body and make any necessary adjustment.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

did the ttop shatter after it flew off or was it just cracked

**feelu4ia** · 08-05-2009, 03:42 AM

did the ttop shatter after it flew off or was it just cracked

Neither. It flew straight out like a frisbee. The glass is not scratched or damaged in any way. Fortunately, the only damage was a few scratches in the plastic.