T-top rod retainer lock-pin bushings? Huh?

[69hurstolds]

Hmm. Ran across these "bushings" that some of the resto websites are peddling. What's the purpose? I looked at my car and didn't see any of these white nylon bushings (T-tops lock in tighter than Dick's hatband), plus, can't find them in the parts book, and the NOS pieces I have don't have any in them. Parts book calls them a "guide" and they fit all G-body T-tops. Am I missing something here? Literally and figuratively? Has anyone actually used or needed these? They say they're for eliminating T-top rattling. I'm failing to understand this.

 

[1evilregal]

probably upgraded variants of the original parts. seals push the tops up, and when locking them down, the metal on both the rod and the retainer wear down. the openings may be larger to have the plastics in and reduce metal-to-metal rubbing noises. our cars were designed as throw away cars once they reached a certain age, so there's probably not many around with them in them.

*edit* just re-read original post, didn't catch the "aftermarket" the first time around.....

 

[spidereyes455]

My 87 has them, but only in the front. My brothers 85 GN is supposed to have them but they are missing and it always sounds like his tops are going to explode on our wonderfully smooth PA roads.

 

[69hurstolds]

I wonder if the pins are different sizes maybe on the 86-87??? I wouldn't think so, but you never know. I've only had the tops off the 85 about 10 times in its life, so pin wear likely isn't the issue. I checked with a flashlight in the holes and there are no bushings on my car's pin holes. Seriously. Hmmm. Interesting. It's been way too long since I owned my gray 87 with T-tops to remember.

 

[joesregalproject]

I've only had the tops off the 85 about 10 times in its life, so pin wear likely isn't the issue.

Most people probably had the t tops off 10 times within the first month of ownership

 

[69hurstolds]

Most people probably had the t tops off 10 times within the first month of ownership

About 5 for me during the first month. But I was so afraid of causing leaks if I kept taking them off and putting them on, so I rarely took them off. I'd say just today when I took mine up to look for those bushings, which weren't there, by the way, was the first time in nearly 20 years the latches came loose. The glass was sorta semi-stuck to the rubber, but did finally come loose with a little wriggling so I could lift the top up. Still no outward signs of rust, but the secondary seals on the L-plates (peel and stick ones) are drying up a little and shrinkage setting in on those. The 34-year-old T-top rubber is getting pretty firm and doesn't want to flex away from the body without some effort. But so far I don't see any rusticles.

 

[84 W40]

I took both tops off and the backs have a metal bushing but the fronts have no bushing. It seems that the rods are the same size.

 

[joesregalproject]

About 5 for me during the first month. But I was so afraid of causing leaks if I kept taking them off and putting them on, so I rarely took them off. I'd say just today when I took mine up to look for those bushings, which weren't there, by the way, was the first time in nearly 20 years the latches came loose. The glass was sorta semi-stuck to the rubber, but did finally come loose with a little wriggling so I could lift the top up. Still no outward signs of rust, but the secondary seals on the L-plates (peel and stick ones) are drying up a little and shrinkage setting in on those. The 34-year-old T-top rubber is getting pretty firm and doesn't want to flex away from the body without some effort. But so far I don't see any rusticles.

IIRC, this car sits in storage a lot, right? I'd hit those seals with some 303 aerospace to help them last as long as possible.

 

[83StreetMachine]

My 88 LS has the bushings

 

[69hurstolds]

IIRC, this car sits in storage a lot, right? I'd hit those seals with some 303 aerospace to help them last as long as possible.

Yeah, you're right. I'm not too particular about "saving" the seals because all that's got NOS replacements waiting in the wings. They're still soft and pliable like new. THEN I'll be hitting them with dressing.