my hardtops forks were bent not sure how but the top doesnt go down smooth and rattles when its on. has anyone experienced this before? and do you guys think i can fix it, or should i take it to the dealership.

 

thanks for any help

 

let me explain a little further they arent bent like an L shape but just slightly off center, but difficult to put the top on.

 

What is a hardtop fork? Which part are you referring to?

 

aHe's probably refering to the posts that seat into the receiver on the body of the car. Just behind and outward of the roll bar.

I have had a lot of difficulty putting my roof on - the reason your roof rattles is because you have probably missing the seats for the posts. I've done that. I have also had a devel of a time getting things to line up properly. Be sure yousnap the top hold closed before mounting the roof. Besure you have the rear latches rolled forward and then place the pins into the holes. Now this is the tricky part - even when seated in the reciever, you don't want to snap them down till you are sure the front roof alines EVENLY with the gasket across; the top to the windshield. Once aligned snap the rear mount latches shut, then open the fronts ones and snap them shut. This all sounds simple, but if your doing this as a one-man operation - it can be very frustrating.
Good luck!!!!!

 

Just latch the fronts first.

ron

 

They're fairly difficult to bend, what happened?

I believe they are bolted in there, but I could be wrong. I know the female part is bolted to the car frame. I'd place the hardtop on a carpeted floor and slowly bend them back in to place.

If you need any specific parts this place may be able to help.

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/home.htm

 

Rev;

Each 'fork' is held to the respective hardtop b-pillar panel by three bolts in a triangular pattern.

These are used for the main HT adjustment during installation.

The bolts are concealed by the snap-on trim piece on the interior of the HT.

The trim piece is held on by the typical plastic interior snaps-you push them in a slightly smaller hole, and they 'spring' out to hold.

Although you can try to pull them out of the hole, you risk damaging the hole or the fastener. You should use a trim panel tool which is just a flat fork-type blade which grabs the fastener and distributes the force of removal over a wide area. YMMV!

Once the trim panels are off the bolt heads will be exposed. It is possible that one or more of these bolts has loosened giving the appearance of the fork being bent.

The instructions have clearances that essentially let the rear of the HT 'float' on the rubber gaskets; i.e. you don't CRANK down the top so it bottoms out on the rear deck sheet metal.

good luck

BD

 

thanks for everyones help ill try all these ideas thanks