Though I have several decades of wrenching experience, I've only had my J-vert a few months and I've enjoyed the car while taking in the vast knowledge and experience of those of you that have tirelessly focused your efforts here a long time. (I very much appreciate it.)

I noticed early on that when putting the top up after having it down a while that a small "dimple" would appear in the top vinyl just aft of the rear quarter windows and a few inches up from the beltline, on both the left and right sides of the car. It wasn't enough to cause a hole or anything, and it would disappear after a day or two in the warm sun. But, I always wondered what caused it and would have loved to prevent it since no convertible owner wants things poking the material unnecessarily.

I found out what was causing it today when I removed the rear struts. (I'm changing struts and springs.) As it turns out, the two bolts and the single stud that hold the strut through the top of the wheel well protrude into the space where the top folds on each side of the car. GM apparently knew about this as they had the foresight to put rubber tips on the bolts (and stud) to blunt the contact with the top material. But, a better solution would seem to be shorter bolts (and stud) as they seem to be a half inch longer than needed anyway. (And maybe a pad or something over the space where the strut's bolted in.) So, I'll be making a modification of sorts when the (new) struts go back in. I'm sure this is nothing new, but it did make me say, "Huh?" - Mark

good find!


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Mike wrote:The auto to manual swap is not as involved as you would think.
Get all the parts you need in a pile, and drive the car into it.
They will find their way into the correct places.