08 Sky- Pinching Convertible Top

[ryanmd]

Hi,

I was wondering if anybody else is having this problem. I have searched the forum and have found a couple topics on it. I am having the exact same problem with the cloth top pinching on the driverside. The difference is that I don't have the plastic ball and socket, I have the metal ball and socket and it is in the correct place.

I took it to the dealer, and they spent a couple hours checking it, made sure I had the updated part, and in the end told me it was normal operation. As you can see from the picture, the fabric is pinching and I'm pretty sure I'll eventually get a tear in the cloth.

Just wondering if anybody else has this same problem with the metal ball and socket and if anybody else has found a fix. I know my dealer did everything they could and were told by corporate that there is no fix at this time.

Thanks,
Ryan

[nomead]

Happens to me all the time...

[08BlueSky]

Where's the plastic / metal ball-n-socket located? - any additional photos? - just wondering... for my top seems fine, for now

[nomead]

I was thinking that all it needs is a thin piece of hard plastic about two inches by one sewn/glued to the fabric would fix this. Have not tried yet

[LANDSCAPE]

Same thing happens to me, I've just gotten in the habit of pulling it out before trying to tighten the latch inside, otherwise you have to pull pretty hard to get the buttress down.

[Bogie]

This seems to be a common problem and it is one of those quirks of the SKY that you will likely have to live with for a while...or forever.

The problem is whenever you have fabric covering a collapsable joint such that the fabric is in excees of the joint when collapsed, the fabric will either accordian, bend in, or bend out. The problem with the SKY top is the joint fabric can tend to bend in, which puts the fabric on the joint when the joint closes, grabbing the fabric. And yes, eventually it will rip it.

There is a relatively easy operational fix that works for me. When I grab the top to raise it, I take my right hand and sweep my fingers through the joint area and physically force the fabric away from the joint. I don't need to keep my fingers there and risk crushing them in the joint. Just sweep the fabric out, remove fingers, and raise the top. I do this religiously to the point I don't even think about doing it anymore, but just do it as my normal top raising routine.

[SSRL]

Happens to me after I had my top replaced.

[ryanmd]

Thanks for all the replies. I guess if it only does it on 1 side I can live with it. My biggest concern was that it would start doing it on the passenger side and I would have to walk around to the other side before latching it.

As for the ball and socket, you can only see it with the top down. Raise the top a little bit after closing it and look at the pieces inside (you'll have to get into the car and face towards the trunk). Mine has a metal ball and socket where others have reported a plastic piece in earlier years that can pop off causing the problem.

[G8TR]

Same problm here, always on the driver's side. Just have to be careful when raising it. I watch it every time.

[MidniteBlues]

Hmm, mine does not do that. Looks like it happens only to a few skys. In previous threads reported eventually it tears the fabric internally, thereby forcing you to replace the top. I think bogies way probably saves the thing.. Let me see if i can find that thread with the tear pics..

Yup, here's the thread.. Bent Metal and Torn Top

[Mickey]

if you read that thread justmike said the top was missing the tabs at the ends of the joints were the top catchs.

[saf0775]

I've never seen a top do that. That looks awful! I'm surprised to hear it's such a common problem that people here have learned to "deal with it". There are multiple adjustments on the bow's and rods, more then enough to stop this from happening.

[MRSSKY]

Originally Posted by SSRL

Happens to me after I had my top replaced.

YEPPERS!! It happens to me also only drivers side, and I had my top replaced as well...I am really careful when I pull it up.



m.

[MRSSKY]

Originally Posted by Bogie

This seems to be a common problem and it is one of those quirks of the SKY that you will likely have to live with for a while...or forever.

The problem is whenever you have fabric covering a collapsable joint such that the fabric is in excees of the joint when collapsed, the fabric will either accordian, bend in, or bend out. The problem with the SKY top is the joint fabric can tend to bend in, which puts the fabric on the joint when the joint closes, grabbing the fabric. And yes, eventually it will rip it.

There is a relatively easy operational fix that works for me. When I grab the top to raise it, I take my right hand and sweep my fingers through the joint area and physically force the fabric away from the joint. I don't need to keep my fingers there and risk crushing them in the joint. Just sweep the fabric out, remove fingers, and raise the top. I do this religiously to the point I don't even think about doing it anymore, but just do it as my normal top raising routine.

Yes Sir thats what I do !!!


M.

[Bogie]

Originally Posted by saf0775

I've never seen a top do that. That looks awful! I'm surprised to hear it's such a common problem that people here have learned to "deal with it". There are multiple adjustments on the bow's and rods, more then enough to stop this from happening.

Well saf, if you were my tech, I would let you do it. The problem is half the time someone goes in to have stuff like this adjusted, it either doesn't get fixed, gets partially fixed, or something else gets broken.

My top currently works great except for this one problem. I would rather live with this minor inconvenience than run the risk of a fix creating a major inconvenience.

[jus2shy]

Hmmmm.... I've never experienced this myself. I'd be upset if I saw this.

[RMFNSKY]

Been there doing that, I have had my service mgr note it on the service notice. I'll get a new top before the warranty runs out.

[Sol-Candy]

Happens to me also in my Solstice ....on the drivers side...I know to get the wrinkle out before latching but it is a pain...did not happen with my '2006' at all... I am thinking about having it replaced.....

[gadget]

That's just wrong! There's no way I would tolerate that. Sounds to me like alot of the Techs just don't know how to work on the tops.

[SadyBlue]

I have the same problem on both sides. Glad to hear that it is not normal.

Is it possible for any GM dealership to do warranty work? Our nearest Saturn dealer is quite a drive and at this point the top is the only issue that I have and really don't want to take it in for just that one thing (knock on wood).

[SkyhighNY]

Originally Posted by SadyBlue

I have the same problem on both sides. Glad to hear that it is not normal.

Is it possible for any GM dealership to do warranty work? Our nearest Saturn dealer is quite a drive and at this point the top is the only issue that I have and really don't want to take it in for just that one thing (knock on wood).

I was told just the other day that our local Pontiac dealer will gladly work on the Saturns also. Apparently they service it under the warranty. Call your local dealer and see what they say.

[Bogie]

Originally Posted by gadget

That's just wrong! There's no way I would tolerate that. Sounds to me like alot of the Techs just don't know how to work on the tops.

And what makes you think the broad range of Saturn Techs would know how to work on SKY