OK, what's the deal? How the !@#$ do the rods go back on? The manual I have does not give any good pictures. Some help, please. Thanks. Len
If memory serves I found it quite easy to make it all work by getting myself into the trunk with light and safety glasses and closing the lid (mother-in-law was standing by to release me were I trapped) and muscling the rods by hand into proper position. Wasn't what I'd call a tough job. Method in the book is tougher 'cuz of more rod tension when the lid is up. Don't need a "special" tool from inside. You may need to see another car assembled if you have neither rod in place for comparison. Sorry - no digital camera around these parts. Once installed be sure to lube the rods where they rotate around the hinge. Otherwise you might make one snap. This sounds like a minor explosion.
Maybe these pics will help some............ I can get some better shots and email them to you if you like.........let me know
There is actually less tension when the lid is up. I remember putting mine back in.....it was a real pita. ou: Even if I could remember what I did, it would be almost impossible to explain. All I can say is you have to wrestle with them a little and use a long screwdriver to pry them into position on the end that attaches to the body that has the different slots for adjustment. Good luck! :bglasses:
Easiest way I have found is to use a large screwdriver as a pry bar and also use a very large pair of Channel Lock pliers. The ones I have are about 18-20" long and they work well to position the rods in place.
I must be retarted (I hope I don't offend anybody), I have looked at two different cars (a '70GSX and a 71 convertible) and yet I cannot figure this out. The bars fit in the hinge ("U" shape on the hinge) and the other end of the same side fits nicely in the upper slot. But, when I try to torque the rod into place (which I did twice)and lower the hinge it pops out. I just thought of something as I am typing this....I do not have the lid on. I took these off when the lid was off; so I figured I would put them on the same way. Should I/do I have to have the lid on to keep the bars from popping out? If not, then I am retarted and I will keep banging my head on the floor. :spank:
first rod "u" top to notch bottom second rod "u" bottom, behind first rod to notch top. Make sense? It will.
Success. Shear awsome power (a few pulled muscles) no tools and....success. By the way, I think I severed all the nerves in my fingers doing it. Thanks, for your help. Len
bang I can remember YEARS ago, my family was sitting watching TV - we heard a loud bang and we went looking to find the source. Couldn't find anything. About a month later(car sat in basement garage)I went to get in the trunk of my 67 and it didn't open as normal, I lifted it open and there lay the rod - we figure that is the loud bang we heard that night. I remember laying in the trunk having a heck of a time getting the new one in - I sure hope mine doesn't go again - it wouldn;t be as easy getting in and out of the trunk now as it was when I was 21 or so
Speaking of trunk rods... Are the convertibles 'heavier duty' (ie: more tension) than hardtops? My ragtop trunk POPS and flies open compared to my coupe which just unlocks and doesn't go up on its own... o No:
Three positions are available for torsion rod placement. Try changing yours and see what happens. :TU:
