Several people asked that I make a separate thread from my '74 Eldorado convertible restoration (http://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org/index.php?topic=153157.0) thread of just replacing the top and working on the frame. With this as it's own standalone thread, it will be easier to find when searching. Since this is an excerpt, there may be an odd sentence or paragraph that was a reply to a question. It was several posts also, so it will take me a little bit to get it all copied over.
I was planning on started the seat upholstery over the Christmas/New Years holiday but I had an opportunity to buy a really nice complete convertible top assembly. I quickly shifted plans and grabbed the top before it got away from me.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8571.JPG&hash=c102503738de8c0a564629cbfa295de965d364ec)
It's an aftermarket replacement top of a good quality manufacturer and it came with all the actuator parts and new weather stripping. I paid less for all the parts than just what the weather stripping would cost.
With the new top safely stored away, I started taking my old top out of the car. The first thing I had to do was take all the interior panels I put back into the rear of the car back out. I then separated the top from the lifting arms. This top is what is referred to as the GM "scissor top". It was GM's first (I think) all electric top and was used on all full sized convertibles from '71-'76. The top fabric and it's roof bows bolt to the lifting arms and also clip to the body shell opening. I had to unbolt the bows and unclip the top from the body.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8518.JPG&hash=c9c010b697d55d11bea76ac6f051428dbdd708ff)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8519.JPG&hash=ee2be80f1e40e4d2a451cb4a29cd172124674ccf)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8523.JPG&hash=a26046dcc9c03417b73833814c69303ea33f99fc)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8525.JPG&hash=1b5e26e89ca78b62a641367b9187fd73aaa34a27)
Here you can see why it's called a "scissor top". These arms are the main lifting arms and when fully extended, form the upper opening where the side glass closes into when the top is up and the window are closed. The ends of the arms lock into the windshield header with pins and the front bow (removed in this pic) has the locking handles to secure the top to the windshield header.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8524.JPG&hash=4e047c06a225ae36bcbaa85401f60b98af45ce1f)
Here is a video (not mine) of an Impala with the same top being run up and down with no fabric on it so you can see how it works:
https://youtu.be/lyEj_PiIIfI?t=126 (https://youtu.be/lyEj_PiIIfI?t=126)
Normally when the fabric is on the top, there is a cable on each side that pull that back bow and 2nd bow in place. With no fabric on the top, there is no place for the cable to run.
My original plans were to just unbolt the entire top with the lifting arms and actuators all in one shot. It turns out that the whole assembly weighs about 250lbs so that was out of the question. With the top itself out of the way though, I could remove each lift arm out by itself which made the job actually manageable without gantry hoist.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8570.JPG&hash=acc3921e4adf9570789f495b9b0322e9ddd02233)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8578.JPG&hash=03f5b12e90c6b58c89b8fc89c1d8503d01c2ad50)
Back to convertible top fun. Here is one of the lifting arms. With the mounting brackets and gearbox, I would say that it's easily 60lbs or more.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8748.JPG&hash=d7727065026e810cb938b6c6fac83ff6ebb5ec7c)
The lifting arms seem to be in very good condition with only some surface rust on them. They are exposed inside the car with the top up so they will need to be refinished. I started out by removing the very heavy duty mounting bracket. The bracket weighs about 20 lbs and that large bolt is a 1-1/8" hex.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8644.JPG&hash=47870a59c5bcd4ba9c24bdf2efad7de45c79c6f6)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8648.JPG&hash=c8abc207f681e003dd123f4f673ed9b3b099cdf9)
Next I removed the worm drive gearbox from the arm assembly.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8645.JPG&hash=8c3a982bd841968a11ef0b4d4dea85cb6688aeff)
And here are all the parts of the lifter arm assembly. The push bar and middle joint of the arm are all riveted together and at this point, I'm not going to cut the rivets out as it appears that some of them were installed before parts of the arm were welded together.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8646.JPG&hash=1c4a9a1c555e2c78589285a11be3644707cf4149)
The worm drive gearbox is very robust and it not an item that commonly fails. It gets it's input power from a central motor mounted between both arms and the power from the motor is transmitted via a steel cable similar to a speedo cable. Both arms are driven by the same motor and synchronization is achieved by manually closing the top with the cables unhooked and then hooking both cables up. The gearbox was not in horrible condition but all of the grease had hardened and it needed to be repainted.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8649.JPG&hash=5181e67829bd3481dc402f048b8cb186c67657c6)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8650.JPG&hash=9a3aeed873bfede40c73449404a4bbbd75f42eee)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8654.JPG&hash=2358344130729182c1afc96a107359d0391a5ea4)
IMG_8658.JPG
The input shaft had to have the smallest roller thrust bearing I have ever seen. The OD of the bearing is about .375"
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8655.JPG&hash=978a83c5b1938fd1be7da538fa21a98d6718ca3b)
The top of the gearbox has a rubber flap that is supposed to help keep debris out of the inside but the bottom of the box had a nice collection of ground up bugs and leaves in it.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8656.JPG&hash=dce63aba3d9980e2b5d15923f98df95909367a9b)
I put the drivers side actuator gearbox back together after I cleaned and painted everything.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8752.JPG&hash=3bfa5cd8630c38bc4102db86cd5d52d26cbe0586)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8753.JPG&hash=e02e6a47621e4ea069c5b9a4ceae3cebeb979baf)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8754.JPG&hash=9cfb0525f5de9d50e55a29fc334aaa71af6accbc)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8755.JPG&hash=7c3b61c38a032c458e816994690210e4c275cc6c)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8757.JPG&hash=f57a38b98355d9e812f1c076fafc31ef49c1c29b)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8758.JPG&hash=52767750b6c06361d751cdc1ec0bd7afe86d6d6b)
I then painted the mounting brackets and mounted the actuator back into the bracket assembly.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8759.JPG&hash=bf56edeefb9b7817191dd35b4b4ee24d1d3f4e36)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8760.JPG&hash=fdc481c74b2b879b6b4c68923ca4b5c92171af60)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8761.JPG&hash=86c16f7e9b2d272ff84e795d0d13498b650f4a1e)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8763.JPG&hash=91d988525b29b4d41e428e978df09e4a50326bd9)
My top frame assembly is in much better overall condition than the one on the top assembly that I purchased so I have decided that I will reuse mine and just move the fabric over from the old frame to mine. This will give me a chance to completely go over all the parts of the frame and to make sure that the top is as clean as it can possibly be. It does have some soot on the underside from the fire that was in the car it came from. Here is my front bow. The front bow on the top I bought is rusted on the ends so I don't want to use that. The only rust in mine is under the tack strip on the front edge.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8776.JPG&hash=7cd885cad071ef7328c5cca54bfe43d77c33c039)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8775.JPG&hash=e852131a91048ab80abcb81b3662864b8b65b4a9)
I sand blasted it and all the rust came out. There was minimal damage and only two of the tack strip retainer tabs had any rust damage.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8778.JPG&hash=0b50c02e06050fabffc7bfc33125bde96e556f7b)
One of latching handles had always been a bit stiff. It turns out that the stamping that make up the body of the handle has a little bit of extra metal sticking up and it was grinding into the handle itself when opening the latch.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8770.JPG&hash=ae3ed1ddc947507574e2a341b275145fabab9c43)
I ground down the bump and now the latch opens smoothly.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8771.JPG&hash=5f5b64caa971b7154a635e08e6a8a212c19e5e01)
Since I already had the drivers side actuator and arm apart, I went ahead and took the passenger side apart also. It was very similar to the drivers side with minor surface rust and caked on grease in the gearbox plus the ground up leaves and bugs.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8780.JPG&hash=f576b164dd226509b74bfd1769ef3143ea2182ce)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8788.JPG&hash=cffd110df475d9f82fc4842869e0d954377b5fea)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8792.JPG&hash=5fa76bb7c180449c80a0b3c726728dea7d699114)
One thing that I don't know if I have mentioned before is that this car had almost every nook and cranny filled with dirt dauber wasp nests. If it was hollow and had an opening, there was a dirt dauber nest in it. Here is what came out of just the passenger side lifter arm:
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8789.JPG&hash=a16a6a7b663704dadbb2a7596bc1dd7d818ca1b2)
And there is the lifter arm frame after sandblasting:
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8790.JPG&hash=df3876d6d06df43dc5ea3809707d13609a366f72)
I hope to have both lifter arms with gearboxes and the front bow painted this weekend and hopefully all of those parts back in the car to start aligning them. I just got the new tack strip material in today and that was the last part I needed for this set of parts.
So the first coat of paint has cured on the front bow and I sanded the part that you can see when the top is up to give it a second coat.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8801.JPG&hash=fe0c05be8c1a7cdaa4017df18a79d6562ccf0750)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8802.JPG&hash=b1d85c0b8de049e9ac2d8dee00853260ff0377c4)
And I gave it a heavy second coat.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8803.JPG&hash=e36c0ac2e66bc02c71981834c993658d275b26c4)
I also cleaned, blasted and painted all the parts of the passenger side gear box.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8799.JPG&hash=eac7a80eda7335ded4a1a6f787e2e9908f5169ec)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8800.JPG&hash=2af5fd0a9e0362d601bdef0cc95f16d21e78f472)
I then put the gearbox back together.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8804.JPG&hash=f9e95738f8f1d3b9ced449b6b1f1cb478aa2fef2)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8805.JPG&hash=460e68541c7b3a88994dc389bd6dfba9dd17113b)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8806.JPG&hash=9f2e130333051f5c0eaa1b5df33383082e292c89)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8807.JPG&hash=09e6fdc7ab3f78573bd8692e817178e87bbd1108)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8808.JPG&hash=4da2743b98ed561c1718f2a3becb0b2723d7693e)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8809.JPG&hash=c92c3dcae1594b627a994e1f58308fba8fd49808)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8810.JPG&hash=2aded5f50b30e9174ef4a345f148c00050e57c18)
The next parts are the latch handles. I have two sets so I'm going to just clean both sets up and put one set away as spares if I ever need them. One of them on the replacement top had a bent spring retainer but that was easy to bend back. I sandblasted all of them and I scotch brite wheeled the pot metal handles. All of the handles has a bit of casting flashing and general nicks and scratches that needed to be buffed out.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8811.JPG&hash=61126b0bf64a605072da185f406c1dc54ab0ba0d)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8812.JPG&hash=6e68ff9f67e27b669a7d6cc090059aabfa975809)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8813.JPG&hash=0078f18218f39c0e86475f5cebe8af38fe95d7f4)
As of right now, the paint is drying on both sets of latches.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8814.JPG&hash=6d35102370d4b60bc50e3cc42ec33f1a82dbb04b)
Since I have decided to move the replacement top material over to my existing frame, I needed to remove the material off of the old frame. There 6 separate parts that make up the top cover: the front seal, the top, the pads the rear curtain w/ the rear glass, the well liner, and the gutter. They come off the frame in that order so you start at the front and work your way to the back. Here is the front seal attached to the front bow.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8824.JPG&hash=8c25475927ed93dd888e0e3c2e698bc04ebeb610)
With the weather stripping removed, you can see the staples that hold the corners down.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8827.JPG&hash=43da8133f0f322ff995197ad4705e88652cd88ed)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8828.JPG&hash=b7182614226ffcd5706cca7ecc8ebc3b8071864f)
Once the corner staples have been removed, you can then fold the flap up and take out the remaining staples that hold the front seal on.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8829.JPG&hash=c1c9e76ae0ff4e4372fcf11aaf9a60f17900c63d)
At this point, I realized that the 2nd bow was already loose and needed to come off before something got damaged. You can see that about 8 inches of staples had already been pulled out. This happened because the joints on the linkages that move the 2nd bow are worn out and the bow was binding up when it was opened.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8831.JPG&hash=d37dc356518d31f72536a9a43fd36a1e3bfe722f)
I marked the center of the staple tack strip so I could center it back up and pulled the 2nd bow out completely.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8835.JPG&hash=6e9cb9307237f17ea481774e93c2803dc57613ef)
Here is the bad ball joint on the 2nd bow and what a new one looks like.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8845.JPG&hash=cb08cbaa6cedfa5d1da2e6725a64a7388ec8ed6a)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8846.JPG&hash=a8c65b13f246d70bc1990baa0ae41fdc44538147)
With the 2nd bow out of the way, I went back to the front bow to get it completely removed. Under the front seal were more staples that held the top itself to the front bow.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8838.JPG&hash=0a32370afa076843d293ed50e8ade595d054ac65)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8839.JPG&hash=dcb8275ec17aebf9cf722ac80a2ad6ec33a398da)
Like the strip for the 2nd bow, I marked the center of both the front seal and the top for alignment on the other frame.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8836.JPG&hash=0a41752c44a8d039e04b29b5fb98f0965afbc173)
After all the staples were out along the front, I was able to peal it back off the front bow to expose the side flaps. The installer had glued the front flap to the front bow. It's supposed to be stapled only, not glued. I think I can clean all the old glue off though.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8840.JPG&hash=25cabad31110f7aa6bb7ce87ef6cdc3ece0a4a07)
This front bow is bad. It's not completely scrap but it's close. The corners are rusted out and all the tabs that hold the tack strip in are rusted off and gone. Rather than replacing it, they just glued the tack strip in (poorly).
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8841.JPG&hash=b18ee5ead5789f1b0b567290040360962fe987eb)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8842.JPG&hash=a36636f4b05edc3fa00d38ebc5f310f3cf322f45)
Another thing I noticed is that this was not the first replacement roof this frame has had installed. I could tell that the tack strip had been replaced with an aftermarket one but under the top, there were old staples and bits of an old top that had not been removed before this one was put on.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8843.JPG&hash=eed41de61ff269ab135265ee9bb92bc553dd997b)
With the front loose, I went around to the rear of the top. I made some alignment marks on the top to get it lined back up with the rear curtain and started pulling the staples around the rear sides.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8847.JPG&hash=b7f8e8fc42c2e2bb67d8728786d6fc96d0df5d9f)
Another install issue that I noticed was that they did not use stainless steel staples and they were starting to rust.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8848.JPG&hash=1a13726d4a0cd9f497567ccf679c4fdf3504c420)
I pulled all the staples around the drivers side an peeled it up off of the rear tack strip. You can also see a test spot where I scrubbed it to see how clean it will come.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8849.JPG&hash=66c8b367209bd2866374e3b44d262d37f457f22b)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8850.JPG&hash=22b10a15963fb5976a089e3290b64baae2ad3f62)
Next, I folded the top frame up to expose the rear quarter window upper weather stripping. This piece retains the top around the window opening.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8851.JPG&hash=bdad93f75f9e27ddafd2e40d34b6a03b48f52b22)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8852.JPG&hash=639a3e2b9b393723417e43f252d36c81601f873c)
That section was supposed to just be held in with the weather stripping but it was glued also. I then moved over to the passenger side and did the same as the drivers side.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8854.JPG&hash=22104a8787971191c87d485a0e8795663f964e0f)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8856.JPG&hash=6392a7226c5f6211a2a96d8e531db6d9550fac25)
Next I had to remove the staples from the 3rd bow. It's very similar to the 2nd bow and just has a flap with a carboard insert to stiffen it up.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8857.JPG&hash=541eb13a848da64a691ab0ff2f58feddcc67483d)
Lastly, there is a big zipper that holds the top to the rear curtain above the rear glass.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8859.JPG&hash=39c8a360e6a5b253e846e160c88b5202a24b6fce)
With the actual top off, next is the pair of pads. The protect the seam in the top and pad it from wear on the frame mechanisms. These pads are completely shot and they just fall apart in your hands. The only thing left of them is the upper liner. The foam and the heavy inner liner just crumble in your hands. They were screwed to the front bow, stapled to the 3rd bow and just the foam and upper liner portion continue on to the rear curtain where the foam is glued down.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8860.JPG&hash=79c8b0899f1afac908a0b67e34123ca8456aca3f)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8861.JPG&hash=70a8958be87856f88f94f6cd0e4fba8422e9aaef)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8862.JPG&hash=6e83c55494703d7e2c3509cc47a963aff013e245)
Once the pads were off, the rear curtain with the rear glass is accessable.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8864.JPG&hash=f246d53f9acbe0b2006ca0879d6413337d662af7)
The white part is the apron and is the only fabric part of the curtain that is visible when the top is up. It's stapled along the rear tack strip.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8868.JPG&hash=a747158226b33093349ac707dd2720e84790864d)
With the staples out of the apron, the curtain is exposed. It was supposed to be stapled down but the installer just skipped that step. I pulled all the staples around the sides to free the curtain from the rear tack strip.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8870.JPG&hash=e438229b19384b3772e6382fb77e65f3c19d8934)
The last thing holding the curtain on was a row of staples on the 3rd bow.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8871.JPG&hash=8ef9ca4615d278e67e06b82b90211e488e84465c)
With the rear curtain out, next was the well liner. It did not have many staples holding it on.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8872.JPG&hash=63194afe2965a30ea6286a98a4b86b92321cf4d0)
Lastly is the gutter. It does what it sounds like it does and directs water to the body drains.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8873.JPG&hash=f43b8421fa830ca93e3ff956d92da9031dd0a141)
While I had been working with the rear tack strip, I felt like something was wrong with it. The tack strip material was loose in the track on the ends and when I got down to the gutter, I found that it was installed completely wrong.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8874.JPG&hash=6f14e4880dd2808e469d85d8bfe54ddd8b813171)
The gutter is supposed to be stapled to the rear tack strip and just allowed to drape down on the outside of the tack strip. This installer stapled it on upside down and wrapped it around rear tack strip and let it drape down on the inside of the tack strip. This caused two problems: the gutter is now too shallow and lets the water pool up inside the gutter itself, and the water wicks that are supposed to go down the front of the inner wheel wells to the body drains were just cut off because they would have gotten caught up in the top mechanism. This let water spill under the back seat and into the trunk. Another issue with it installed incorrectly is that it was too tight and ripped on one side. Fortunately, the gutter on my old top is salvageable and I'll reuse that part. Once I got the gutter off, this is what I found:
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8875.JPG&hash=f6898f78ff4118925c7a4d83bdffa1e97ee471a2)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8876.JPG&hash=971ba7cadd03a70155c52b0f1cc96c86c0804ed6)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8877.JPG&hash=1612bf67d7a9cc3765a125eff8c06517df5b6048)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8878.JPG&hash=8a2e6f43e125d1ad848ea1fc53eb79e813174355)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8879.JPG&hash=c6369c0a71fc63f3a780f5caa6fa92defbe2fa74)
This rear tack strip is garbage. It's completely rusted out and was like that when they put this top on. The tack strip material was missing out of most of the channel and was replaced with the wrong type. On top of that, since they used the wrong type, they had to rivet it in just to get it to stay. Since they tried to rivet it in to rust though, they rivets just popped out.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8880.JPG&hash=ae0b921177edaae88654a5b85d559cf247f07cca)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8881.JPG&hash=b60ae7505387361ccbcafb23709583c3fb4dabef)
On top of that, the front 18 inches or so of the passenger side was just completely rusted away. They cobbled in a piece of Home Depot C channel to replace the missing part but that just barely worked to get it out the door.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8882.JPG&hash=097171e4cd37552cbb09104afb59be434bdd2420)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8883.JPG&hash=fec498ac49d38a7e17a25dcfbd75dd749303f21b)
What I don't understand is why they even bothered wasting the time to botch up the rear tack strip when you can just order a brand new one for not much money at all.
While going though my collection of parts I noticed that the rubber seal on the replacement passenger side gearbox was in better condition than my existing one. One clip and one rivet later and I had it swapped over.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8866.JPG&hash=5aac961704e6d131e5e7bec64b6baaea5be44cfc)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8867.JPG&hash=806043a60678e44236b1ad6555265e9c4edd1ee3)
I also found that a specific carriage bolt on the replacement frame seem to be of a revised, stronger design. My existing one was worn so I swapped in the different ones.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8891.JPG&hash=011d25706b70dbeeca13d5576ec54524e5a542ed)
Next I mounted the drivers side lift arm to the gearbox and mounting frame.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8893.JPG&hash=25d49d080280da5e5df72dbf55950ff12b1cf336)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8892.JPG&hash=9b67d9c2694399caa6ea081d897c9b047bf6c65c)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8894.JPG&hash=e0c4318e7a1b39ee30fb055f1efe059ab5ad266b)
With this arm assembled, I mounted it back into the car.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8895.JPG&hash=83435977c06d84d22ca00a76def827f2cedf1726)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8896.JPG&hash=e46bf14c0b44f354cafeefc26fa30b01b2e95687)
The arm was a little long and the front guide pin missed it's hole.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8897.JPG&hash=1a1bd44d0473e7860c20859f7880c512f31cb69e)
To correct this, you adjust the stop at the middle hinge and that adjust the length of the arm by allowing the joint to pivot more or less at that point.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8898.JPG&hash=f15efa475513e9d66b94fe68a21fc0ecbc93904d)
After putting the drivers side arm together and back on the car, I found out that it's much easer to just put it together in pieces on the car rather than building it on ground and then mounting it to the car. I mounted the bracket first.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8901.JPG&hash=ea97154353d9c6e7aed5848e698705c8c6e99aee)
And then the arm to the bracket.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8902.JPG&hash=faf26c19010fc2edb54ff1275a77de467a3315b2)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8903.JPG&hash=c8ca14da9d0137011349764eede12a2a705e5b10)
And finally, the gearbox to the bracket and the arm.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8904.JPG&hash=a60f4cbcd5af0fa630b89e38ed516b1d1337387c)
I put a new tack strip on my front bow. You can see the tabs that hold the tack strip in that were missing on the other front bow.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8899.JPG&hash=77aafc78e557758782b9e3897622fa015cb33a9d)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8900.JPG&hash=37403024394cfea5fa87298c77e815ea905c12bd)
And finally I bolted the front bow to the two arms.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8905.JPG&hash=bfb71b2b34004b9663b2fa70302d131bd98763a3)
The 2nd bow is the next part to work on. It just had a little surface rust in places and the pivot arms needed to be replaced. I removed the old arms, sandblasted the bow, and painted it to match the other frame parts.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8890.JPG&hash=b2e8dc53526e73e47971865fc20dea65c2bff13b)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8911.JPG&hash=13f2ae4de8815fd57b763a53271731f3fe584403)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8910.JPG&hash=974a53db491bafdc7d782dab11b25ec32401c70a)
Next I put a pair of new pivot arms on. The pivot arm kit comes with brand new arms and all new mounting hardware.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8913.JPG&hash=1072a663f2c22bfaaf1fa8278497ed5f59a65562)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8912.JPG&hash=dc4c31bb5899dfc22e4158f8ac9872cca7d27410)
I also reinstalled the pivot arm wear sliders in the lifter arms.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8914.JPG&hash=e82dd03f54df3c8b18c54b2b00cdaab187e0e226)
The pivot arms point forward on the lifter arms and allow the 2nd bow to remain parallel to the windshield while the lifter arms fold up when the top is being put down. When the top is up, they lock into tabs on the lifter arms and help keep the arms aligned with the door glass so the weather stripping makes a tight seal on the top of the door glass.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8915.JPG&hash=b1b276efc64c5f54808f74c360b6744310ab87e4)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8916.JPG&hash=8b6b8a55bb905a0bc8a5e7c6f2958f781b7eaeac)
Here is how the pivot arm folds when the lifter arms fold inward when the top is going down.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8920.JPG&hash=5c6fb688a8692109399761e9c5dfc24f5153cb69)
Next to go back on are the latching handles. Previously, both of them had sticking problems and the passenger side was almost impossible to latch. You had to push the top down from the outside while moving the latch handle to even get it close to latching. After I sandblasted, refinished, and greased them, they worked perfectly the first time. I think there were a few issues that made it hard to latch before: the old top material was binding up the top frame, the 2nd bow pivot arms were worn and not helping to keep the arms aligned, and most of the pivot joints were either too loose or tightened up too tightly.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8923.JPG&hash=49a9beb08ed75c7a2108a65b718730b4b0372937)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8924.JPG&hash=b5176c680fd90c400c605a5d9e6607836588e096)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8925.JPG&hash=a33188d26e8af6c0414efcf9f76bc3b39638d7b5)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8926.JPG&hash=6fb81f3b0b54f48e2dac97ec78607cba69e86306)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8928.JPG&hash=6175f10d972d09fb36c1a0d9777be24758925bb3)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8929.JPG&hash=e8530228425e0e63d6aefc81908e7550ed596f60)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8927.JPG&hash=8985651a59696e32091246def367f7e4271511e7)
Lastly, I added the trim molding across the upper inside lip of the front bow. That's where you grab the front bow to pull it down when you are latching the top down.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8930.JPG&hash=d808fef029bb80ed3a8799e70cf2c3884d359c69)
I did continue to refinish the remaining bows on the top frame. All of these remaining bows are too large to fit in any of the sandblasters I have access to but fortunately, they are not very rusty at all. I started with the 3rd bow which mostly just needed the old glue removed and a light sanding. This bow is just behind the rear quarter windows and controls the rear side of the top.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8950.JPG&hash=45ec18617a22692cf5c3e496508320648f68e1ff)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8951.JPG&hash=101fe789043b2fa7eaa5c09be85c6e31434e098b)
The 4th bow is just a guide bow and nothing is actually attached to it. It's purpose is to push the top of the back window up and give the top it's shape where it changes direction from the roof to the back glass curtain area. It also has a plastic cover that goes on the underside of the bow itself.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8949.JPG&hash=727f3dbf0991727cf93dff2050d30262585c7dd9)
The last piece is the rear tack strip. It is a large bow that lays horizontal under the rear body opening. It's what all of the top pieces are stapled to around the sides and rear of the car. When the top is up, there is a lever section on the sides that pushes the bow up against the underside of the body to make the top fit tight to the body opening all the way around the car. This is also on the other frame that was so badly rusted and then cobbled back together. This original one just had a bit of light surface rust on the mounting bracket that I sanded and touched up. The 3rd and 4th bows bolt to the mounting bracket and the whole assembly then bolts to the actuator brackets.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8962.JPG&hash=c0d84399ad44a292b1d1cdf839f8733b71c049ba)
Since virtually all the cloth pieces of the top staple to this part of the frame, I'm going to staple as many of the parts on before I mount this section back into the car.
The first part that will be stapled to the rear tack strip bow is the gutter. I'm reusing my old gutter as it's in much better condition than the one that came with the replacement top. All it really needs is to be cleaned up and new tails attached. You can see below that it cleaned up nicely.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8958.JPG&hash=cfec218211d0b30cc180b61e848b2c46b3d08edf)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8959.JPG&hash=8371863775f337e60792cbddca5e9bbc489e8c96)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8960.JPG&hash=6f1c778f5a9124a9e6745c81ac6ef011b2503bf2)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8961.JPG&hash=577a110c03cb03f0b60b78405255b77df5c88d05)
The tails direct the water that collects in the gutter down the front of the wheel well and to the drains in the body. they were torn off of both sides on my gutter and I just made new ones from pieces of the old top that were still in useable condition.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8963.JPG&hash=2511a54b5e751063ef1e376ad7cd22e60d00ea9f)
The old tails had just torn off.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8965.JPG&hash=052e186fbf85228d69f9e11133806f0a32298d93)
I also finished up a few other things on the lifter arm part of the top frame. These guide blocks keep the top frame from rubbing together when it's folded up. They mount near the latch handles.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8938.JPG&hash=5bfe4e52291130663ba1e1235295fed8f31abe03)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8939.JPG&hash=e1e7d614eb01847eb95bc4b894c54412559a1a65)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8940.JPG&hash=a20604225a5855ea3c23f591c2d0e6bce51edaac)
I also mounted the upper weatherstripping for the door glass. This piece of weatherstripping mounts directly to the lifter arm and has a gutter section that helps guide water away from the door opening when it's raining.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8941.JPG&hash=31a6938ba21feae110da2cd0c9b5ab6cfb830977)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8942.JPG&hash=b24859a7c9e949cf51f7b95fe4c4161b024fbb38)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8943.JPG&hash=2f0b8dd0b93857d1952d96d1607f3c60256df0b3)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8944.JPG&hash=6718bfe61ffd8f87259f96f1619f8fe4e3e10b6a)
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The matching piece of weatherstripping that goes on the top of rear quarter window is mounted to the 3rd bow. It does not go on until the top material is completely attached.
My stainless steel staples arrived so I was able to start on the reassembly of the top. The first piece to go back on was the gutter. It has a notch cut in it where the center of the part is so you can line it up with the center of the frame.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8988.JPG&hash=dc451bfc9845134eeaca5cf0c6db1ab88b19df26)
After than, it's just a matter of going around the edges and stapling it all on.
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(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8990.JPG&hash=c4d87c77b6fb9cb7ffa18b03ad1e335d1c5a6ca8)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8991.JPG&hash=86035db6175c0524fd01b8e6cad22e44428965b3)
Next is the well liner. It staples over the gutter but wraps over the top of the frame. When mounted in the car, it covers the well where the top retracts into. It has the same type of alignment notch as the gutter.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9006.JPG&hash=50f92ab10361d857ba3cb9d60579d21dc30d1a52)
It's "lightly" stapled all the way around like the gutter was.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9007.JPG&hash=7698fd5845f8f4c9ddf7dbe306ffcb1e2a9cc314)
Next I scrubbed the rear curtain to get the majority of the dirt and grime off of it before I installed it.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8994.JPG&hash=0b18210213c8be32714e7fad2e85369d6e481c7e)
And then I started to staple it to the rear bow. The section below the glass is two layers and they both have alignment marks to help get it centered.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9008.JPG&hash=e8bbf610adef9cafa3a4cf2e6567a8a8188fc98e)
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I continued to staple the curtain around the sides.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9011.JPG&hash=85175ba8c092714e363ea45219402df5419c80f8)
Both the black parts and the white flap have guide lines printed on them to help align the top material with the bow.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9010.JPG&hash=9a2802d69ed4e2372292048a188f9db1a763ac7f)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9014.JPG&hash=391d0bc43de0ae0b21dba389ba64ee5bc9572af5)
With the curtain stapled all the way around the sides, I stapled the top edge of the curtain to the 3rd bow. I made an alignment mark with the center mark on the 3rd bow before I took it off the other frame.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9013.JPG&hash=f18b5873462a27ae28cdd17be41ac5e1de9625e9)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9012.JPG&hash=9805ee3b7264d13c311d1fd77d4af4e641410ea9)
And with all of the staples in the 3rd bow, this is how it sat.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9015.JPG&hash=e812c7fd6b052f422cab8c8143ff62ec131b7260)
Next up are the pads. They cover up the frame on the sides and protect the top from wear when the top is up. The lower canvas part is stapled to the 3rd bow and the middle foam and upper fabric extend back to the 4th bow and are glued directly to the curtain.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9018.JPG&hash=963ea5e3243b26935cfda1026afd6e9d77123c50)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9019.JPG&hash=9b3a1e580ab68c9bc29d1399d19539d82ea708ce)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9020.JPG&hash=8694f9354a50379882bb699f0d564e0921d14424)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9021.JPG&hash=b1d212c0c48b65d90653d5183fc752274f832e57)
For now, they just drape off the 3rd bow.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9022.JPG&hash=f366948f27c8872fe9cdd450d4490cc931518f32)
The actual top itself was quite dirty from sitting around and from the fire. It had soot on the underside and was just dingy on the outside.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9024.JPG&hash=8e871723705535a6e14eb32b07661bf11a9011c9)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9025.JPG&hash=b8090165ef60ff4de109324398db52a045fc8689)
A bit of test cleaning showed that it would come clean with a little bit of work.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9026.JPG&hash=5144220709b20689f8474af99d50ca66a9a39beb)
I laid the whole thing out and scrubbed it with a stiff brush. It came about 80% clean which is good enough to install it. The rest will come off easily when it's on the car.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9032.JPG&hash=6d8d978dc8763a1017ab5fc5848834843f370ae0)
On the sides, there was quite a bit of soot. It all came off easily.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9035.JPG&hash=ae5f62605df8a102ec5a0b38b0493b6ce53a877a)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9036.JPG&hash=b8080de7ca6c72c769db91a6b1dc005e0d2047fc)
The rear sides where the top meets the rear quarter windows is glued to the frame. I think they used all the glue they had because it was 1/4" thick in places.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9038.JPG&hash=cdd6ce70d23d2c2acbbe18a28b4c82eed738f97d)
A brass brush and a plastic scraper did a great job of getting it off.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9039.JPG&hash=15767eefe8369cbcad2c335431f8ed6705b6eddd)
The other side was not quite as bad.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9040.JPG&hash=10880ed7d26f4cda6d2b8f39d370e7adc05046d1)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9042.JPG&hash=8fe552b27a480a88635848c93a1ecad00d85ea17)
To put the top itself on the rear frame, you start with the zipper over the rear glass. This centers the top on the frame.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9043.JPG&hash=9f9f506ccd762c128505d5c823f5c755d6a305c4)
Next you run the guide cables though the 3rd bow frame and attach them to their posts. There are access holes in the bow frame to help guide the spring though the frame.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9044.JPG&hash=b74e1ca8049182d38bc13c5925064d77d04f557a)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9045.JPG&hash=4e972f7351839bc8a3da2b72bfb49da34b68ef83)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9046.JPG&hash=539a23a892e074a9ec7f20d76d5012b775871f69)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9047.JPG&hash=34f1f6ae7dbd3407e3b075f4404ac7ab687cab22)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9048.JPG&hash=e5b44d93de3fd1e9b1152cd191b7c5f1f11df804)
And finally, you hook the cable though the guide ring at the top of the 3rd bow frame.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9049.JPG&hash=81aa0478d4e2c40fe37b0831983be2ab57058393)
Next I aligned the rear of the top with marks I made on the curtain at the rear tack strip.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9050.JPG&hash=f379fa4da2bbd051d93986a3cc254f567e9ba0d9)
And then I stapled it around the sides. You can see some rust staining and overspray from the car it came off of on the top material.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9052.JPG&hash=dbf59064d9639d896853c4a45537dd751c0600fe)
It all came off with a magic eraser dipped in lacquer thinner.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9053.JPG&hash=7d9eb3669fd13a2972f096562689edc90cecf6fe)
The other side was the same.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9054.JPG&hash=66adb5260b25e783ec873146dc591e4e898bc94a)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9055.JPG&hash=c981f90f6e29012c9d64e86f735640a338fbccd8)
With the rear attached, I aligned the staple tab to the middle of the 3rd bow and stapled it on.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9051.JPG&hash=4dc1ce60e9625db40d47c8cacffe5e2a1a34e040)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9057.JPG&hash=3e47fcd7f5faa95c9a2d8e0a20a58360e3d8dbc4)
And with that, that is as far as I can go with the rear frame off of the car.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9056.JPG&hash=946a5515791647753a2620662a1ad404af4a0afd)
With everything attached to the rear frame that is possible, it was time to moved the rear frame back to the car.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9059.JPG&hash=6aac56b8bcf5ea1f31ecdb679a2a1990e2395c00)
The arms have to be about 1/3 folded back to access the upper bolts.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9061.JPG&hash=23a5efe74d882d057af5c6f3a6be5952bde8f02c)
With the arms half folded, next this is to put the gutter spring wire in it's slots on both sides.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9066.JPG&hash=fd9d4bf96a0de09bffaa8a77f862fcfaf7412e3c)
With the spring wire in the upper rear frame pivot bolts can go back in.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9062.JPG&hash=a56c166a195db5c3a1cf7c44111a065ba8577b99)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9065.JPG&hash=d24b8ce04542887e9d21ef8076920d8d0d9bf9bd)
The next parts to go in are the rear glass lifters. They are very important at this step because if you try an put the top up all the way without them, the rear glass can get caught on the rear cabin wall and break the glass.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9068.JPG&hash=7290e44e9e18108d847b8ec0260d26c6a36fd44a)
They clip onto pivots on the body near the actuator mounts and then up on the bottom corners of the rear glass. The springs attach to mounts on the floor of the trunk but they have to be disconnected while I'm still reattaching the roof fabric.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9071.JPG&hash=dbacffad19db3d1b4937f0bf756f597b286bea90)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9070.JPG&hash=48eb61843900f23352186b7444d5cda2279b0dbb)
The next thing to do was to put the last two bolts into the frame. They attach the ends of the rear tack strip bow to the main frame. This allow the rear tack strip bow to pivot upwards and seal the top against the body around the rear body opening when the top is up. There is where the bolt goes. You can just barley see it from inside the car.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9081.JPG&hash=e01f0468cac0af1319b705019b87b0866ffb17d1)
With some assistance from my wife, we were able to get the bolts in both sides. I had to push the bow down while she worked the bolt in.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9084.JPG&hash=e8e8d8d21cf85a07d4e31659a93b1ba405a24557)
Next up was to attach the pads to the front bow. I had to retract the top about half way back to get enough slack in the pads to be able to attach them. They are attached to the front bow with three screws each.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9085.JPG&hash=00ac212b1cb19d654e984c760efd86602a5e18a1)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9086.JPG&hash=24df438bd2366d70b12755aad12138bb7da929e8)
After that, the ends of the front bow are wrapped in fabric tape to prevent the edges of the metal cutting through the top over time.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9087.JPG&hash=1f7a603b2ff010a0a406ebe3a2b0b500cdfc8ba7)
And finally before I stretch the top forward, I reattached the rear glass lift springs in the trunk so everything would have the correct tension.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9089.JPG&hash=1216e9bdfbcda192109c9daabe4b611de75dcf3c)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9090.JPG&hash=9b9b01b81b1229410933636f3410ff152ed87ce0)
There are a few layers on the front edge. The first one is the top itself. It has a center mark that lines up with a hole in the center of the bow.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9088.JPG&hash=b63350dd1fed8b0909e982c0a3d5b8f723cb4b45)
The ends are stapled down and then the front flap is folded over and stapled.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9091.JPG&hash=f03a141536f167fbc05f756a175ef8c49c657761)
Next is the front welt. It's a big piece of trim with a foam core that protect the front edge of the top and helps cover the staples. It was still a bit dirty so I cleaned it up first.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9092.JPG&hash=8fb20507917804c4eaa2a7883902017790bf56f7)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9093.JPG&hash=02f058160abb3c0373d89a8a6067a726fafcd166)
It has two layers and the staples go into the inside layer. It's mounted directly over the staples on the tops front edge. There is a center alignment mark like all the other parts had.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9094.JPG&hash=d096fdfe4199416dad840d1b4cb1a6bd393947df)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9095.JPG&hash=30f77bcd35950df933f60bd5ddb04557da07da4c)
Here it is with the outer lip folded back over.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9096.JPG&hash=18c9f4cd354064a753cff17f1d27140553a824cc)
The last piece is the actual weatherstripping for the front bow. The one that was on the car was still in great shape so I just cleaned it up and snapped it back on.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9097.JPG&hash=b458b84d0e28713f240c194d23bbdcb5e59e7d76)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9098.JPG&hash=abba94c3a472fc9d8663a6cca120742894fa85eb)
With everything stapled in, the entire frame bolted together, and all the springs installed, I was able to close the top and see how it fits.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9100.JPG&hash=0564d1dc6ecf65e69625a9f094065e1f73e770cb)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9103.JPG&hash=11041fefb6b41962817ed8a8e0f9f95a5cd83cea)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9101.JPG&hash=45e95a24118a9a37910f80ba901a5b85e82b40cc)
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9102.JPG&hash=24948fdf046f29e987421377f2276ae9426aef46)
The fit looks good and there are just a few little things left to do. After it's stretches for a few days I will glue the sides in where the rear quarter window weather stripping mounts. There are also a handful of some small things that have to go back together on the inside.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9099.JPG&hash=48fadb97ee34f4d3fb64368e3d2c0a88a19135c8)
I glued the rear opening flaps on and installed the rear quarter window weatherstripping. I also noticed that I had one of the cables run incorrectly so I fixed that.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9105.JPG&hash=8879d58fef5713f39f15e9c415bc45f3cf446907)
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This is the first time that I have been able to completely close the interior up since I have owned the car.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_9108.JPG&hash=11098768d1a27568e6186cade97489ff893a5a51)
I also experimented with some different techniques to clean the top. Lacquer thinner works the best but it's messy and can damage other parts of the car. Castrol Super clean is not as fast, but I think it will work almost as well.
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And that concludes todays regularly scheduled program.
Truly outstanding. And bookmarked.
Great!
How is the gutter wire attached to body in the middle part of the wire? Or is the wire just keeping the gutter in correct shape and preventing water flowing to trunk?
Quote from: Matti R on June 29, 2021, 04:54:33 PM
Great!
How is the gutter wire attached to body in the middle part of the wire? Or is the wire just keeping the gutter in correct shape and preventing water flowing to trunk?
The gutter wire snaps into retainers that are located on the underside of the rear cowl. Here is what the clips look like. They are stamped into the sheet metal of the underside of the rear cowl. This one is located toward the quarter panel on the passenger side.
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Quote from: MaR on July 01, 2021, 11:12:19 AM
The gutter wire snaps into retainers that are located on the underside of the rear cowl. Here is what the clips look like. They are stamped into the sheet metal of the underside of the rear cowl. This one is located toward the quarter panel on the passenger side.
(https://forums.cadillaclasalle.club/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fjelloslug.com%2Fcaddy%2FIMG_8506.JPG&hash=68eef853a90d04ec76c31a902d2d080871e98eed)
Thanks!!
bravo my man
i have two 76 eldo conv and they both need the top redone due to hail damage here in texas and none of the shops are willing or capable to do the work such a quandary lol
Quote from: pdfree13 on July 08, 2021, 08:36:38 AM
bravo my man
i have two 76 eldo conv and they both need the top redone due to hail damage here in texas and none of the shops are willing or capable to do the work such a quandary lol
It's really not that bad. It's time consuming and has many steps but if you just take it easy and do everything in order, the new top will go on just fine. In my opinion, the biggest issue is that virtually any top that needs to be replaced will also need wear parts replaced in the frame. If you skip that, it will never work correctly and look good.
Amazing!