1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
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Last fall I replaced the convertible top on my '88 Saab. I have always been about 95% happy with the installation. I just have some waviness between the first and second bow that I've never been able to get rid of.
Today I was looking at it again and realized the bow that goes over the driver and passenger seats (referred to as the second bow) is high in the middle, but the sides are sort of pushed down. This was reinforced when I later was walking back to my apartment and saw another Saab of my vintage. The second bow on it sat up much higher on the ends and would likely be supplying the lift I'm missing to straighten out the wrinkles. The bow is aluminum and I tried from the inside pounding up on the bow with a three pound mallet and also by pushing with all my might with little to no success. I'm guessing the sides got pushed down (without me realizing it) when I replaced the top because you have to sort of beat on the piece that's connected to the fabric over the bow. I obviously used too much force and flattened the bow on each side. The middle seems to be sitting up okay, just the sides are bent down.
I'm thinking the one ingredient I was missing when I was attempting to bend it back to original was heat. So, I'm wondering if I just wait until we get our first really hot summer day here and park the car outside with the top up if I'll be able to bend it back into place. Another idea I had is to use a heating blanket since it's still only in the 30's and 40's here generally. Put the blanket on the top and crank it up to high for awhile. (not that i have a heating blanket though). My options are limited because I have the headliner and of course canvas top to worry about when applying heat. Since it's aluminum I didn't think it would take it much to get it back to shape, and that the addition of a little heat might make the difference. I REALLY don't feel like taking that all apart again to get at the bare metal, and then risk bending it again when I go to put the fabric back on.
posted by 24.223.20...
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