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L
I have a 96 convert with the aux hardtop. When I install the top, at some point it will crack the windshield. This has happened the last three times I have put the top on for winter use. I'm not sure if it happens when I tighten the screws to the post, or when I drive it and body torque makes it happen. Currently, I have a crack on the top corners of the windshield. One happened last year, and the other this year. Has anyone else have this problem? And, what might be solution. I don't want to replace the windshield until I can figure out a solution.
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
How long have you owned the car? Do you have any verifiable history on it that might indicate it has ever been wrecked? I have heard of others that have broken the windshield with the hard top, but I think some of them had chassis damage from wrecks.
I scanned thru the TSBs, and saw nothing there on windshield issues for your car...
Other than the frame possibly being out of whack(or the hardtop itself), I can only think maybe it is being torqued too tight...
I scanned thru the TSBs, and saw nothing there on windshield issues for your car...
Other than the frame possibly being out of whack(or the hardtop itself), I can only think maybe it is being torqued too tight...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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I'm with Adam, good theories. Original owner? Did you get a carfax, if not?
jimmymack 2009-11-25 09:52:57
Checking my 95 FSM, torque values for a removeable hardtop are:
Front hold down screws 17N.m (13 ft. lbs.)
Rear pin mounting bolts 11n.m (97 lb. in)
Rear oin mounting jamb nuts 28n.m (21 lb.ft.)
Roll bar to B pillar bracket bolts 35N.m (26 lb. ft.)
B pillar bracket mounting bolts 25N.m (26 lb.ft.)
Assuming that there is little/no difference between 95 and 96 specs., you can see that it's not a ton of torque on these bolts. I'd torque to correct values and then see if anything happens. Face it, most of us have a tendancy to overtighten everything by hand, so you have to establish the correct baseline to determine what might be the cause. IMHO, that's find out if it's ever had accident and torque to correct values. A carfax and a torque wrench will cost far less thn a new windshield.
Let us know how you make out, curious to what the answer is on this one. 
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L
Thanks for the response. To my knowledge there have been no wrecks. The top aligns pretty easily when I set it down on the car. A couple of the B pillar bolts are cross threaded (before I purchased the car), but other than that, all seems fine. Carfax does not indicate any either. Perhaps the torquing is the issue. Another tread listed the torques and I do believe I have been tightening the screws and bolts too tight, especially on the windshield frame. I will be more gentle this time around.
LBzr
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L
Jimmy Mack,
As mentioned in Adams Apple reply, I believe the torque values could be the issue. I am of the old school of tighter is better. The windshield frame torque is quite light even compared to the others. We shall see. I have two cracks now, one on each upper corner, so I don't really expect more. I don't plan to replace the windshield unless I sell the car and that doesn't seem likely any time soon. It is a sweet ride that is somewhat unusual in that it is a Collector Edition with the torch red interior and LT4. It was featured at the Museum caravan weekend as an example of the end of model run for C4s.
LBzr
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in Forum: C4 Electrical, Body and Interior
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