Top Frame - straightening & reinforcing it?

chinacat · Post by **chinacat** » Mon Mar 24, 2003 3:06 pm

The concertible top frame's a bit bowed, (also has a small wrinkle towards the front). Anyway, I hear this is a common thing to deal with. My questions are: 1) what's the best way to straighten the frame (heat it, or just hammer it cold?) and: 2) what should I consider when welding in reinforcement steel (gauge of steel, etc.) Also, any idea what causes it to bend in the first place? Is it tension from having the soft top up in cold weather? I've noticed that it's tight as a drum on colder days - all that tension can't be good for light steel frames.

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Wed Mar 26, 2003 12:28 pm

This thread has been covered in detail recently on the Thing topica disccusion list. Go over there and check out top reinforcement. There are a few guys over there that have done their own reinforcemnt for very little $$. K-mann

type2guy · Post by **type2guy** » Wed Mar 26, 2003 1:29 pm

How about posting a link if you want us to go there to read something. I personally don't frequent that list and don't have the link.

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Wed Mar 26, 2003 5:48 pm

http://www.topica.com/lists/things/read
You are correct and I appoligize for this oversite. Enjoy this unique Thing discussion group. K-mann

type2guy · Post by **type2guy** » Thu Mar 27, 2003 1:50 pm

COOL!!!

Thanks a ton for the link. Very much appreciated. Good info to be found there.