I have a 98 camaro convertible. We bought it with some top problems, a small hole just behind the drivers seat. Doesnt seem to be a problem though, it doesnt drip or anything. The big problem is the seam between the fabric and the bottom of the window has seperated and is wide open. I patched it up with clear duct tape and it keeps it closed and dry. My question is im not sure what to dO, should I buy a whole new top and try to replace it myself, or I found just the fabric piece and the glass for about half the price of the top. My final choice would be to take it somewhere and have a new top or window put on professionally. I am a mechanic but I have never done anything with a convertible top, how hard is it to replace? is there anywhere I could find a body manual so I can see whats involved? thanks for the help and advice, im new so be gentle lol

 

These tops are a PITA, the back glass especially, if you get the bottom piece glued on to the glass to tight, it will come off quick, to loose and it will come off quick. I had mine replaced a few years ago and it was about a grand for all the top, glass included, and the labor. You should check with your insurance company, tell them you came outside and found a basketball inside it or something like that. I got mine to pay for a cigarette burn on mine, minus deductible of course. But you have to have the type that covers vadalism, can't remember if it's comprehensive or the other one.

 

Depends on how you want the car to look??? If you like the redneck look, go with the duct tape and patches. Otherwise get it done by covertible top Pro and pay the money.

 

FWIW _ I did the top myself. If you don't feel comfortable with working on this, I'd get it done professionally.

I did a write-up for it - HERE

 

ok i just replaced a convertible top.. DO NOT buy just the back window, it takes a multi million dollar machine to attach that to the top. you will have to buy a whole new top and if you have never done it before i would recommend hiring a upholstry shop to do it. other wise you could do what i did and put a nice big rip in your brand new top ( you have to staple hundredes of staples into the back of the top under the metal trim pieces.) if they rip your new top, its on them. then again i can only tell you what i have done, its not hard or time consuming (took me 4 hours) just has alot of cables and bolts to tuck in around certain areas. hope this helps. -rs

 

but... if you are going to go the route to patch it to save a couple bucks til you wanna go get it done right. the best way to do this is. go to a junk yard get a top that is the same color as yours.(u pull and save placed will charge probly 60 bucks)

to each convertible top there is multiple layers, so cut out a nice size square, cover it in liquid nails and tuck it in between the layers of your top where the hole is, try not to get the liquid nails on the fabric that is visible, cuz this will never dry right and good luck getting it off. just take your time, and make sure it seals right. and when i was done, it was hard to tell it was patched unless you stared right at it, but passer-bys had no idea. what color is your top? hopefully not white. lol (this is the hardest color to patch right) hope this helped!!!

 

Arguably, if you find a u-pull-it place with another f-body convertible, you could unbolt at the hinges and bow #5 and replace the entire top in one piece.

 

yes, of course you can do that, that is if you find one in a junk yard that is in better condition then your current top, i unfortunately was not that lucky. but of course, if the one u find in a junkyard that has been baking in sun for years and not rotted around the edges. sure go for it!! lol

 

lets play nice!

 

I found one - right after I did mine... lol.

It's also black, and would have been less of a PITA to do.

If anyone's interested, I can see if it's still there.