[PaulE]

I had to sew by hand the velcro straps on the side of the top that are sewed into those seams. Those straps wrap around the side bars of the top frame. If the rest of the top was in decent shape, I would try to find some flexible plastic or other strong material that could be wrapped around the steel cable and sew it by hand back on the same seam, starting at an area before the split and going beyond the other end of the split area. For the thread I would use something strong, like multi-strand 40 lb fishing line in a black or gray color. I don't know that it would work for sure, but if it were mine, I would give it a try if that was the only problem with the top, before I would spring for a new top.