Bent Metal and Torn Top

[stuart]

Some weeks back, noticed the top was catching and crimping over the drivers side window when putting the top up. After looking closely at the section of the top over the window, found the end of a metal strip had bent upwards and protruding through the rubber. About an inch or so. Also, the underside of the canvas top was torn by the metal piece rubbing across it each time the top was put down and up. On the passenger side, the metal is not bent, but noticed the canvas is also torn underneath in same area.

Here are some pictures. The local Saturn Service took one loook and said no problem, they'll order up a new top! Dealer ordered a new top and it's in - about one week to get it in. Going to take it in this week to get it replaced with a new top. Hoping for the best!

[JustMike]

Yep thread on here and the Solstice forum. Your new top should have the tabs at the end of the arm and you will be good to go! ...

[Bogie]

I've had crimping, but nothing torn yet that I can see.

By the way, when I raise my roof I bring it only about halfway up first and take my finger and bring any fabric in the joint forward. Then I take it all the way forward normally from that point.

[RMFNSKY]

Originally Posted by Bogie

I've had crimping, but nothing torn yet that I can see.

By the way, when I raise my roof I bring it only about halfway up first and take my finger and bring any fabric in the joint forward. Then I take it all the way forward normally from that point.

I do the same but I'm still going to get my service dept to put some tabs on.

[Helios]

Same problem, but on both sides for me. Dropped it off for service today. They are going to try and repair it. I told them good luck cause ill be bringing it back when it rips again cause theyre not fixing the cause only the effect. The rubber peels away from that hinge point rips the top. Both sides of mine are bent up, but its manufactured that way, not bent because of use. He did say theyll order a top if they have to.

[jel]

Took mine down today to get some feedback from the dealer from my last visit a couple months ago. It's a lost thread in here somewhere. They gave me a card and asked me to go get a quote at an upholstery/top place that I had told them about from the last visit. Appears that these tops are not fun to work on.

The guy at the upholstery/top place had just replaced a whole Sky top out recently. However that was because someone took a knife to it. Must have been one of us drivers who angered someone

He said that they'll probably cut and angle the metal piece so it's not so sharp and then smooth it off, paint it, and top it with plastic. Then they'll patch the two cuts in the material created by the sharp metal. I'll of course ask for, or do, pictures to show a before and after.

I'd think that Saturn would be doing this from the factory by now. Anyone have a newer version that's been re-engineered? I looked at some 2008s at the dealer and they all have the same sharp edges. I foresee a recall.

[jus2shy]

Originally Posted by jel

Took mine down today to get some feedback from the dealer from my last visit a couple months ago. It's a lost thread in here somewhere. They gave me a card and asked me to go get a quote at an upholstery/top place that I had told them about from the last visit. Appears that these tops are not fun to work on.

The guy at the upholstery/top place had just replaced a whole Sky top out recently. However that was because someone took a knife to it. Must have been one of us drivers who angered someone

He said that they'll probably cut and angle the metal piece so it's not so sharp and then smooth it off, paint it, and top it with plastic. Then they'll patch the two cuts in the material created by the sharp metal. I'll of course ask for, or do, pictures to show a before and after.

I'd think that Saturn would be doing this from the factory by now. Anyone have a newer version that's been re-engineered? I looked at some 2008s at the dealer and they all have the same sharp edges. I foresee a recall.

Mine is an 08, bought in December and I think it was built in November. It has the plastic tabs on the roof.

[jel]

Took the car to the upholstery place today. They took the sharp angle off of the piece of damaging metal and put a plastic tab over it. They also took off the angle on the metal piece directly behind that and repainted it. Then they patched the cloth with leather. It's not overly tight anymore as the top is being stowed. Told me to come back in two weeks or when I start to use the top, in order to do follow-up (for free).

The Saturn dealer in Puyallup took the bill ($140). The dealer in Renton doesn't impress me. If any Seattle-area owners are having this problem, shoot me a PM and I'll tell you the upholstery place.

[Helios]

My Sky is back at the dealer after replacing the top. HAHAHA! I told them. Now im getting the rear diff recall done. Should have my sky back sometime tomorrow.

[Helios]

Got the Sky back from the dealer today. Brand new top looks great. Only one complaint is some sections of the new foam/rubber seal are inside the door window instead of out like the rest of it. I can live with it though. Its gonna rain hard so im leaving it out to test for leaks. Hope all goes well.