Top not seating correctly

[Finnegan]

On the passenger side, when the top is closed, a section of the edge does not seat into the channel the way it should. When partially open, I can see a velcro strap on each side that appears to have become detached from where it had been sewn in. Both sides are this way, but only the passenger side has the problem with the top not closing properly.

I took it to an auto upholstery place today, and they said it would be very difficult to hand sew these straps back on. To do it right would require taking the top completely off, which is so much labor time that it would probably make more sense to just replace it at that point.

Otherwise, the top is in great condition.

Any ideas about how to repair this, instead of replacing?

[Finnegan]

Here's what it looks like closed.

[kenand1988]

I'm having the EXACT same problem. I just bought the car about 6 months ago and I dont remember it doing this up until 3 months ago. I have to lean over and tuck the passenger side in everytime i close the top now. It is really annoying and a bit embarassing if anyone is with me. I'd love to hear a fix for this too.

[stephen wilson]

Common 987 problem. I had my fixed twice under warranty, they did in fact sew it in place. Do some Google searches, I know I found pictures of the procedure somewhere.
https://www.google.com/search?q=fixing+987+top+elastic&oq=fixing+987+top+elastic&aqs=chrome..69i57.9263j0j8&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

[kenand1988]

Found this article

https://sites.google.com/site/mikefocke2/convertibletopedgedoesnotfallintoguidech

looks like you can buy the velcro strap by itself.

[Finnegan]

Thanks for that article. It's clear that the two velcro straps have come loose and need to be re-sewn. The guys at the upholstery place didn't think that would be possible with the top installed. I wonder if anyone has had this repair done that way, or if this really does require the top be removed?

[Finnegan]

Huh. I found this comment somewhere about this problem:

"If you're not good sewing you can use a stapler to staple the new strap in place.
If you use the stapler press the ends of the staple in with a pair of pliers so that they don't fray the fabric.
Sewing with a good quality nylon thread is the recommendation."

[kenand1988]

So I just took a look at my top and immediately found some peculiarities. First off my straps were not velcroed together, but rather sewn. I couldn't detach them. I circled in yellow the strap im talking about.

Second, the strap on BOTH sides was not wrapped around the black tube. So I was faced with the option of taking apart the top to slip the strap around the tube since they cant be separated like regular velcro or cut the strap and like someone mentioned earlier staple it back together.

Being a go for it kind of guy i cut the straps and stapled them back together once i had wrapped them around the tube. Keep in mind this only worked because the other end of the strap was still sewn to the top. Now the top comes down perfect. Success!

[opus69]

I think this is pretty common from other posts. My old top and new top do this. I just reach around and tuck it in as the top is closing.