The two gray flaps behind the seats don't always open when I put the top up. I'll have to juggle the roof and the trying to open the flaps. It looks like GM just ran down to JoAnn Fabrics and bought some cheap elastic ribbons to move them. Is it easy to repair / replace them?
There should be metal cables clipped into the plastic doors with plastic clips to activate them when the top goes up and down. These do break often but you should be able to find the cables laying kinda limp under the panel somewhere unless those broke. Got pictures?
I happened to look at the flap on the drive side. The cable was just lying there. I put it back into the red plastic "bearing". When I looked at the passenger side, it also was just lying there so I put it back into the bearing. Question: Should this red plastic bearing be split lengthwise? Is it wise to drop some superglue on the cable to hold it in place?
Good timing, I noticed I'm missing the metal piece on the passenger side. Anyone know if they're available. Maybe have to buy the whole flap. We can probably make them ourselves!
Yes, the Dorman stuff you find at most auto parts stores will work though I only have them available to me in a package that contains a ton of fasteners I don't need.
Excellent find Sky Pilot! If I can't pull mine out of my car I can't order it!
--Strike that. OEMcats is a referral service that'll show you a list of parts distributors who carry the part. No parts themselves. I checked each one provided and they're all showing unavailable. Well, I'll just have to go fishing for my old part!
Let me save you all a lot of trouble. After looking on line at auto parts stores, in amazon, on ebay, and more, I found this simple little part at NAPA locally. It was ON THE SHELF and cost $4.00 for each side and the man was nice enough to clip them on Several of the references above are wrong. Try this, I just did it ONE hour ago. NAPA part # 735-2786. Get the right number, a number of these clips are out there and they are different sizes. Once on the car, the metal part being discussed above simply pushes into it.
I found a detailed discussion of these clips here. Seems there are Left and Right part numbers. Though, he's talking Toyota so they might be reversed on a Sky.
Got the problem fixed and solved. I ordered a pair of Silverado tailgate handle rod clips, one left (red??) one green (right). Use some needle nose pliers to rip out the remains of the original clips, pushed the new ones into place and then threaded to cables thru. Slick as a whistle.
Update. The right clip is beginning to show stress lines at the "L" angle. Any way, is there a way to adjust the length of the flap cables? The flaps will only open between 70 deg. and 80 deg. so I still have to manually open the flaps, especially the right one, so the top will close.
FYI - I discovered that the plastic clips are the exact same critters GM used to connect the latch rods on their pick-up trucks. So, let's see...Seats - base Covertte. Tranny - Cadillac CTS. Roof flaps - GM pick-ups. Engine - Chevy Cavalier. I'm surprised they cars still run.
Okay. I haven't been able to get the flaps to work correctly. So, has anyone had a shop fix the cables and connections so they work right? How bad was the damage? Something to save towards for this spring.
The cable is attached to the spindle on top pivot. I put rubber or plastic between cable and this pivot point. I remover rubber that i first used (did not hold up) and switched to plastic pipe. You only need about an 1 1/4 wide, i cut it down the middle so i have 2 pieces, one for each side. I attached them with double sided tape to keep in place. Spit plastic pipe with hacksaw before cutting to length. I’ll let everyone know how it works and if it lasts. If it doesn’t i may try metal pipe.
As I was raising the top I noticed there was a small hole in the one lift arm. It was where one end of the cable attached. I didn't get a good look as it was dark. Could this possibly be an Allen nut that can tighten the cable?
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