The Thing Shop Tops and Frames

tooter · Post by **tooter** » Mon Jun 19, 2006 12:55 pm

I have had 3 new tops & frames from The Thing Shop. All three have come loose on the drivers side bar where the press pin forms a joint for folding the frame. This particular pin is located at the RH corner of the rear window. No, not the pin joint in the center of the car, back where the top slopes down to atttach to the body, follow up to the corner where the top RH edge of the window fits against the top.

On all the frames we have gotten, the joint there has failed. The pin wears out, and the frame comes appart. The Thing Shop has replaced all the tops without any problems, I'm just dissapointed that we have to do this again, a year later.

I always use two people moving together, doing the same proceedure as we drop the top back. When we fold back the top we remove all the eyelets, even the rear window and follow TTS video instructions. We never pull the hold down straps tight, just snug them up to hold the frame down. We have the original frame put away and the original VW frame covers that came with the car when new. We use the frame covers to cover the corner edges of the frame when folded.

We did notice, that on all 3 TTS frames, the passenger side, when folded did not fit properly in the frame cover. The bars were off-set behind each other, further appart (left to right) than on our original frame. On the passenger side, although the frame cover fit perfectly, the press pin (on all 3) did not go through both sides all the way so that the pin had a "T" top like the others. The "ping" indent was also not as deep as the others. Also, there seemed to be a slight twist to the inside for the joint.

I'm going to reinstall my old top and frame and see what TTS does for us.

Has anybody else had this problme with TTS frames?

LEJ · Post by **LEJ** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 3:57 pm

I just installed a new Thing Shop frame and top cover so I haven't had it on long enough to experience the problems that you've had but, I'll keep a close watch on those pivot points and if something shows up, I'll post information and of course, contact the Thing shop

RICKERACER · Post by **RICKERACER** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 6:17 am

My top and frame is about 3 years old, and the only problems I have had was the strap that loops around the middle bar and runs front to back, the loop came un stitched and also one of the clips that clip the top to the frame at the windows came off. I must admit I am rough on this car, mostly off road, and both the issues were probably due to me folding wrong. I will look at the areas you have pointed out for potential issues. Thanks,
Rick

tooter · Post by **tooter** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:13 am

Please look at this pivot point and tell me what you see. Does your pin go all the way through? Does it look like the other pin points? If so, what do the others look like?
Thanks!