Write-up: How to adjust your t-tops. *PICS*
#1
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After almost three years of owning an F-Body, and losing one set of t-tops to drag-racing, I finally found out that you can actually adjust the brackets that hold them in. I took it upon myself to actually do it today, even though I'm not strapping sticky tires to the car again any time soon. Anyway, on to the write-up...
Time to complete: 10-15 minutes
You will need:
F-Body w/t-tops
10mm gear-wrench, or 1/4 ratchet with small 10mm socket
#2 Phillips head Screwdriver
Flathead screwdriver
Here's what the actual bracket looks like. This is the Passenger Side front.
![](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b293/JPouncey/mod%20pics/tightening%20t-tops/DSC00729.jpg)
Starting on the driver's side, I took the two screws holding the top of the A-Pillar cover to the bracket loose. Be careful when you're putting everything back together not to break the little tab that's in the middle of the A-Pillar panel (not pictured).
![](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b293/JPouncey/mod%20pics/tightening%20t-tops/DSC00717.jpg)
Now remove the two screws holding the rear t-top trim panel in place. Part of my plastic where the pin goes through was broken when the tops flew out.
![](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b293/JPouncey/mod%20pics/tightening%20t-tops/DSC00719.jpg)
You'll also need to remove the clothes hook that's holds the top of the rear seat panel in so that you can drop the headliner just enough to loosen/tighten the bolts.
![](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b293/JPouncey/mod%20pics/tightening%20t-tops/DSC00725.jpg)
Now you're ready to adjust. Don't make the mistake that I did at first. Make sure that you account for the thickness of the plastic trim pieces when you push the brackets towards the top. You need to leave about 1/8" for the plastic to fit. Loosen both bolts, then adjust the bracket as needed, so the pin from the tops goes through further.
After you adjust, replace the trim-panels, being careful with the aforementioned clip on the A-pillars. You're done! And now you don't have to worry about your tops going for a flight!
Here's how my tops were adjusted before:
![](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b293/JPouncey/mod%20pics/tightening%20t-tops/DSC00722.jpg)
![](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b293/JPouncey/mod%20pics/tightening%20t-tops/DSC00721.jpg)
![](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b293/JPouncey/mod%20pics/tightening%20t-tops/DSC00728.jpg)
Here's the after pics, A lot better:
![](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b293/JPouncey/mod%20pics/tightening%20t-tops/DSC00724.jpg)
![](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b293/JPouncey/mod%20pics/tightening%20t-tops/DSC00723.jpg)
This is an adjustment that anyone with t-tops needs to make, especially if you plan on drag-racing the car and running any kind of good times.
Don't trust the factory to make sure that your t-tops aren't gonna fly out, check them for yourself.
Hope this write-up helps someone.
Time to complete: 10-15 minutes
You will need:
F-Body w/t-tops
10mm gear-wrench, or 1/4 ratchet with small 10mm socket
#2 Phillips head Screwdriver
Flathead screwdriver
Here's what the actual bracket looks like. This is the Passenger Side front.
![](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b293/JPouncey/mod%20pics/tightening%20t-tops/DSC00729.jpg)
Starting on the driver's side, I took the two screws holding the top of the A-Pillar cover to the bracket loose. Be careful when you're putting everything back together not to break the little tab that's in the middle of the A-Pillar panel (not pictured).
![](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b293/JPouncey/mod%20pics/tightening%20t-tops/DSC00717.jpg)
Now remove the two screws holding the rear t-top trim panel in place. Part of my plastic where the pin goes through was broken when the tops flew out.
![](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b293/JPouncey/mod%20pics/tightening%20t-tops/DSC00719.jpg)
You'll also need to remove the clothes hook that's holds the top of the rear seat panel in so that you can drop the headliner just enough to loosen/tighten the bolts.
![](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b293/JPouncey/mod%20pics/tightening%20t-tops/DSC00725.jpg)
Now you're ready to adjust. Don't make the mistake that I did at first. Make sure that you account for the thickness of the plastic trim pieces when you push the brackets towards the top. You need to leave about 1/8" for the plastic to fit. Loosen both bolts, then adjust the bracket as needed, so the pin from the tops goes through further.
After you adjust, replace the trim-panels, being careful with the aforementioned clip on the A-pillars. You're done! And now you don't have to worry about your tops going for a flight!
Here's how my tops were adjusted before:
![](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b293/JPouncey/mod%20pics/tightening%20t-tops/DSC00722.jpg)
![](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b293/JPouncey/mod%20pics/tightening%20t-tops/DSC00721.jpg)
![](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b293/JPouncey/mod%20pics/tightening%20t-tops/DSC00728.jpg)
Here's the after pics, A lot better:
![](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b293/JPouncey/mod%20pics/tightening%20t-tops/DSC00724.jpg)
![](http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b293/JPouncey/mod%20pics/tightening%20t-tops/DSC00723.jpg)
This is an adjustment that anyone with t-tops needs to make, especially if you plan on drag-racing the car and running any kind of good times.
Don't trust the factory to make sure that your t-tops aren't gonna fly out, check them for yourself.
Hope this write-up helps someone.
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#8
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You might try lubricating your seals with some silicone based lube, or just do like I do and use a light coat of Vaseline.
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#13
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Join Date: Oct 2012
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Ran across this about a week ago and didnt think much about it until i dumped the trans am at 60 and watched my passenger t top fly off at 90...luckily today on the way home from the gym after being up all night trying to find a replacement thinking my was completely shattered i i found it sitting between an on ramp and the highway right where i lost it. So needless to say i am on my way outside right now to so this adjustment
#16
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Great bit of info here guys, did mine today and the end result nets you no gaps in the trim as well. Looks really clean now and I know they are not going anywhere, thanks!!
#20
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Thanks for the help! Does anyone know a safe way to get the bracket to "bend down" a little bit? My passenger rear of the ttop sits up a tad higher than the drivers side on my 99 WS6. Annoys me. Lol. Thanks again. I'm a new owner for about 2 months now. Love this site!