08 Sky- Pinching Convertible Top

[e-sarge]

Originally Posted by MRSSKY

Hey everyone,
To fix the problem with your top pinching at the center, the leading edge of the rear top weatherstrip and the rubber seal that is in the same area as the pinch need to have a liberal coating of GM #3634770 Weatherstrip Lubricant.


mary

Mary:

Did that work?

My car has developed the same problem (driver's side only) over the past 3 weeks, and want to get it fixed before there are more problems with the top or seals.

[MRSSKY]

e-sarge check your p.m. box.......No I didn't buy the lub...its a little out of my price range...I've got a hunch somewhere in near future (a couple of weeks) A bulletin will be mailed out for the "convertible top pinching issue".....


m.

[Howard Golding]

I have the same pinching problem on the drivers side. As I pull the top up I straighten the crimp out. This problem just started. I would assume that Saturn (GM) has to be aware of this problem. I would hope there will be a recall to fix this problem. Is GM aware and have they been notified?

[MRSSKY]

its in the works!....

M.

[SKY 07]

My new Convertible top is in at the dealership. I am just waiting for the right time to have it replaced. It's going to take at least a full day to replace it. T

[Howard Golding]

I have the crimping too on the driver side behind the window. I am very careful when bringing the top up from the trunk. I straighten out the canvass before closing the top. I contacted saturn Customer and Relationship Services. They are not aware of any such problem. There is no recall for this defect. Why have any not contacted Saturn? If enough complaints are reported than Saturn might recognize there is a problem and take the proper steps to fix the tops with a recall.Here is the number you have to call to register the problem 1-800-553-6000 Have your vehicle serial number, located on drivers side lower window. They will give you a case number. They told me to take it to the servicing dealership. We all need to make some noise so Saturn recognizes they have a design problem and it must get fixed. We all spent a lot of money and we must make them aware that it must be recalled and taken care of. So, lets get with it and start making those calls. Report your results to the forum so we all know what is happening.

[e-sarge]

Originally Posted by Howard Golding

... I contacted saturn Customer and Relationship Services. They are not aware of any such problem. There is no recall for this defect. Why have any not contacted Saturn? ...

Trust me Howard, I've worked in the automotive sector for enough years to know that you're not the only one who has reported the issue. Standard practice is to represent each case as the first case until an official statement is made (usually called either a service bulletin or recall). In this case, it doesn't appear to be a recall type of item -- recalls are reserved for safety-related issues. However, it would appear that a bulletin may be forthcoming on this soon.

Before any such official statement gets issued, lots of departments need to weigh in on the issue, including engineering (understand and reproduce the problem), warranty (cost-benefit), legal (liability of fixing or not fixing), marketing (risk to brand image), service training (evaluate the repair procedure and provide training materials), etc.

However, you make a valid point about each of us calling in to open a case of our own. Each added case will help escalate the priority of all of the above processes.

By the way, you still have the option of taking it to your dealership and [hopefully] your service manager agrees with you that this is a design flaw. Dealerships can also petition the folks in head office to escalate the priority of the bulletin or even to get your individual case covered under warranty (I believe that a bulletin is not a requirement to get something covered under warranty). It appears that some forum members have had success already with their dealerships, and the bulletin has not been issued yet.

[Cobra]

Took my Sky to the dealership today to have the top replaced, it should be finished by Thursday, hope all goes well with it!

[sworthit]

My sky top was replaced after my service rep noted tearing when dealing with weatherstripping issue. Was finally given a case number and haven't heard from Saturn Corp. since and am very disillusioned with them (have been dealing with health/personal issues also so following up has not been a priority--can't deal with the added stress). Is it necessary to get a case number for each issue? (because i have had several--of the first twelve months of ownership, sky was at the dealer 60+ days). My service rep has been great, although it may be my imagination, but since filing a lemon law complaint with consumer affairs, i seem to be getting a cooler reception. Have experienced top pinching and will ask my sky/solstice buddies to give me their opinion/advice (what info I have gotten from the forum has been invaluable). I've found that when requesting service it pays to go armed with knowledge of what others have experienced (and there has been occasion when I have had to alert them of an existing service bulletin).

[TINOONIT]

my top is working just fine but my velcro on one side is really loose...

:-(

[Cobra]

Got my Sky back yesterday with the new top installed. All went well, they did a good job.

Hopefully it won't happen again but we'll see.

Also had them look at the black insert at the fuel filler, it's loose. They said there have been a lot of complaints about them loosening up & that there are no replacements shown in the inventory. The service manager thinks they are redesigning them or the way they are mounted so they don't loosen up & that there may be a TSB coming out for a replacement. Don't know if it's true, but we'll see.

[e-sarge]

I broke down this week and took the car to the dealer to get the lube applied (as per the currently published technical bulletin). I was gonna hold out for the real fix, but got tired of waiting, so the band-aid solution it is.

Got the car back and it doesn't pinch any more (at least until the lube wears off, I guess).

However, when I picked up my car, I noticed that they had also replaced my rear drive seal, again.

Seems someone forgot to process the warranty claim back in March, so it still showed as outstanding work for my vehicle. I really gotta put a note on my file at the dealer telling them not to install anything without calling me first. I just hate when I do that, and in this case I would have stopped them from doing it again.

[sooner]

Just how chronic do you think the top issues are going to be in the future? Do you think they are bugs they will eventually work out or inherent design flaws that just can't be corrected long-term? I realize convertible tops are "wear items" but the mechanics of this one seem to keep failing.

Just wondering.

[Hoefje77]

I had the same problem. Took it to the dealer, they replaced the entire top under warranty.

[spider]

Most of the '07 Solstices came without the tab on the leading edge of the rear half of the folding window frame. (mine included)
Convertible Top Wear - Pontiac Solstice Forum

[SKY 07]

My baby is still at the dealership getting her top replaced and having some other issues repaired. Dam I miss her. T.

[marzinair100]

I have been added to the list of getting a new top, I began to notice that I was experiencing the same pinching issues, when I brought it in to be looked at the entire underside of the top was shredded where it bends going into the trunk. In any event they ordered a new one and will be replaced next week. Do the replacement tops have any new features to help reduce the chance of this happening again?

[07BLUESTONE]

Originally Posted by marzinair100

I have been added to the list of getting a new top, I began to notice that I was experiencing the same pinching issues, when I brought it in to be looked at the entire underside of the top was shredded where it bends going into the trunk. In any event they ordered a new one and will be replaced next week. Do the replacement tops have any new features to help reduce the chance of this happening again?

Check out this thread... Hole wearing in the convertible top

Look at post # 5 for pictures, if this is what you're talking about the tip of the piece that rubs was semi-rubber coated and wore off after a while. The tip on the new top is made out of plastic. Spag showed me his top back when this was first posted and sure enough mine was ripped. They replaced the complete top, frame and all (some dealers are having the canvas only replaced ) Thanks Spag
I put a piece of Teflon faced tape on the undersides of the top where it used to rub "just in case", acts as a "wear strip" and you can't see it.

[uranium-238]

Well, looks like the 09's aren't immune to the pinching top. Mine just started doing this yesterday. So, just how much is this lube that GM says fixes this? Or, what's a good alternative? 3-in-1 oil? Teflon? Grease?

[jus2shy]

Man, I better count my lucky stars, I haven' seen this issue on my baby (knock on wood)

[NukeUm]

Mine was pinching too (both sides).
I don't have the service receipt on me. I will post the document number later (as well as the AC noise problem). They stated they applied weatherstrip lube on the lower track. The problem is caused when the lower guides glide slower than the top arriving after (and over) the fabric. When the track is properly lubed, the lower portion's timing is corrected, allowing the tab to glide quicker and under the fabric. I have noticed some stains under the butresses. I think they sent the car to someone who does their upholstery work and they had no idea of how to fix it. There was no reason for them to be messing with that area. Now, the strip above the door which contains the window strip is loose, riding up a little when the window is raised. I think they messed around there, too. After my Texas Motor Speedway run this weekend, I'll take it in and complain some more.

[Jade Sky]

My dealer knew exactly what to do. Just a little lubricant, and I haven't had a problem...worked like a dream.

I can't believe that entire tops has to be replaced. How long did you wait to tell your dealer about the problem? I took it in within a week. The techs made a note to lube it every time I come in for any kind of service...

I can tell you that my dealer has been fantastic about any concerns I've had. I never get that "dumb female" look that I had from other dealership repair shops.