SECTION 7-D 1959 BUICK CONVERTIBLE TOP ADJUSTMENTS
7-7 DESCRIPTION
The 1959 Buick convertible top linkage consists of three sections of right and left side roof rails and a front roof rail connected by bolts, hinges, and a series of connecting links and bows. The top linkage is attached to the body at the rear quarter area by a male hinge bolted to an adjustable support. The front roof rail is locked at the windshield header by two cam locks which are an integral part of the two locking handles.
The following information outlines and illustrates procedures which may be used to correct misaligned 1959 Buick convertible top linkage. To correct some top variations, only a single adjustment is required; other top variations require a combination of adjustments. In conjunction with adjustment of the folding top, it may be necessary to adjust the door, door glass, rear quarter glass, trim sticks or the side roof rail weatherstrips.
7-8 1959 BUICK CONVERTIBLE TOP ADJUSTMENTS
Adjustment of Top at Front Roof Rail Corner Brace
If the 1959 Buick convertible top, when in a raised position, is too far forward or does not move forward enough to allow the guide studs on the front roof rail to enter the holes in the striker assemblies, proceed as follows :
- Unlatch top and raise it above windshield header. Remove side roof rail weatherstrip front attaching screws.
- Loosen corner brace attaching bolts indicated in Figure 7-18 and adjust front roof rail fore or aft as required. Repeat on opposite side if necessary.
1959 Buick Top Adjustment at Front Roof Rail
NOTE: This adjustment is limited. If additional adjustment is required, it can be made at the folding top male hinge.
- When front roof rail corner brace is properly adjusted, tighten attaching bolts and reinstall side roof rail front weatherstrip attaching screws. Check forward section of weatherstrip and reseal if necessary.
Adjustment of Top at Lock Handle Striker and Front Roof Rail Guides
If a difficult locking action, caused by misalignment of the front roof rail lock handle strikers is encountered at the front roof rail or if a closer fit of the front roof rail to windshield header is desired, proceed as follows:
- Unlatch top and raise it above windshield header.
- Loosen striker attaching screws and adjust striker as required. If necessary, also loosen front roof rail guide attaching screws and adjust guide as required.
- If after adjusting the striker and the guide, the locking handle is still too high in relation to the striker to obtain proper locking action, remove handle and install a washer into lock spindle cavity in handle, then install handle with emergency attaching screw.
Adjustment of 1959 Buick Convertible Top Control Link Adjusting Plate
- If there is a sag in the joint between front and center side roof rail, proceed as follows:
- Remove folding top compartment side trim and loosen two bolts securing control link adjusting plate indicated in Figure 7-19 sufficiently to permit adjustment of the plate.
1959 Buick Folding Top Adjustment
- Without changing fore and aft location of adjusting plate, lift up center side roof rail allowing adjusting plate to skip over serrations on support downward as required; then tighten bolts.
- If the top assembly does not stack properly, proceed as follows:
- Loosen bolts securing control link adjusting plate sufficiently to permit adjustment of the plate.
- Without changing the “up” or “down” location of the adjusting plate, move adjusting plate forward or rearward (horizontally) over serrations as required to obtain desired height. Then tighten bolts.
Adjustment of 1959 Buick Convertible Top at Male Hinge Support
Prior to making any adjustment of the 1959 Buick convertible top linkage at the male hinge, loosen the three bolts securing the folding top rear quarter trim stick to the rear quarter panel. This will prevent any possible damage to the top when it is raised after adjustment. After making an adjustment at the male hinge, check the folding top at the rear quarter area for proper fit and if necessary adjust the trim stick assembly.
- If there is an excessive opening between the side roof rail rear weatherstrip and the rear quarter window, or if the front roof rail is too far forward or rearward, proceed as follows:
- Loosen three male hinge and hinge support attaching bolts “A”. See Figure 7-19.
- Move hinge fore or aft, as required, to obtain proper alignment between the side roof rail rear weatherstrip and the rear quarter window, then tighten bolts.
- Lock front roof rail to windshield and check fit of 1959 Buick convertible top material at rear quarter trim stick area. If necessary, adjust trim stick. See “Adjustments of Rear Quarter Trim Stick Assembly.” If adjustment is not necessary, tighten trim stick attaching bolts.
- If the side roof rail is too high or too low at the rear quarter window area, proceed as follows:
- Scribe locating mark on top of male hinge and male hinge support to maintain proper fore and aft relation of the two parts.
- Loosen male hinge and male hinge support attaching bolts “A” and male hinge support front attaching bolts “B”, as indicated in Figure 7-19.
- Without changing fore and aft location of male hinge, adjust hinge support up or down as required to obtain proper alignment between side roof rails and rear quarter windows.
- Tighten hinge support front attaching bolts “B”, then while maintaining proper alignment of the scribe marks on top of the hinge tighten attaching bolts “A” (Figure 7-19).
- Check fit of top material at rear quarter trim area and if necessary adjust trim stick. If adjustment is not necessary, tighten trim stick attaching bolts.
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